Tabunka Salon: Italy (July 2023)

【Chuo Kominkan】

Participants learned about Italy and its beautiful culture from local resident Matteo. Topics ranged from sightseeing spots to the education system, including an introduction to popular gestures essential for communicating in Italian. Participants even got a taste of Italy through a variety of drinks and snacks.

Cool Takasaki (July 2024)

【Cocoon craft event】

Participants joined TIRS for a guided tour of the Nippon Silk Center, where they got to learn all about silkworms and the history of silk production. There were live silkworms, beautifully dyed kimono, and artwork made from cocoons on display throughout two different exhibitions.

After the guided tour, participants did their own cocoon craft (a beautiful flower made from white and yellow silkworm cocoons) which they got to take home afterwards.

Japanese Language Learning Support Training

Japanese class volunteers are given the chance to participate in yearly training to further their skills, and better understand how to approach teaching Japanese as a second language.

In fall 2023, training took place over 2 seminars. The 1st was led by current volunteer Mr. Oya, who presented various materials (including ones handmade by himself) that have proved useful in the classroom. The 2nd was led by Mrs. Hoan Thao, a Vietnamese national who teaches with G Community, an NPO located in Isesaki.

Book Club Eikaiwa (2023)

【Chuo Kominkan】

During the 10 week course, participants took on the challenge of reading beloved children’s book The Wonderful Wizard of Oz in English. Several chapters of reading were assigned each week. In class, participants engaged in group discussions based on themes in the book as well as plenty of pair work to hone their English communication skills. On the last day of class, everyone gathered to watch the movie version in English. The course was led by Takasaki CIR Alex Takahashi.