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Light Up Your Language Skills: Crafting and Cultural Exchange Workshop! [EVENT REPORT]
- On 2024/8/8
On July 20, 2024, Circular Yokohama hosted a language exchange event, “Crafting in English! Let’s Make Lanterns with Discarded Aluminum can,” at its office / showroom “qlaytion gallery.”
The event gathered 15 participants, ranging from children to adults, who enjoyed a creative and conversational experience in English.
About “Meguru Hoshiten English Cafe”
Meguru Hoshiten English Cafe is a language and cultural exchange community based in Yokohama, Japan. It emphasizes speaking practice, offering a unique opportunity for both beginners and experienced speakers to engage in meaningful conversations. We welcome individuals of all ages, genders, occupations, and skill levels.
Enjoying Talk and Lantern Craft to Light Up Summer Nights
We usually gather and chat over a cup of coffee as a regular activity, but we planned something different for this July.
This special edition was planned to coincide with a conventional event “Hoshiten qlay Day” which is hosted by Hoshiten qlay where qlaytion gallery is located.
This session was unique because it is the first time we held this workshop on a weekend during summer vacation, allowing elementary, middle, and university students, as well as attendees from afar, to join.
The event kicked off with the main activity, making lanterns with discarded aluminum can.
To ensure easy understanding for English beginners, the lanterns were designed to be made simply with empty cans and pushpins.
Participants drew patterns on the sides of the cans and used pushpins to create the designs
Kids also designed their own lanterns
In line with Circular Yokohama’s theme, “Playful Circularity,” participants brought their favorite used cans, which sparked lively conversations during the icebreaker.
The scene from the activity
The topic shifted to interests in language learning and cultural exchange. Participants included a middle school student eager to study abroad, a businessperson who overcame the language barrier during a past trip to the USA, and a resident who was born and raised in Germany and moved to Japan.
Sharing personal experiences and ways to engage with language study helped participants feel more comfortable communicating in English. During the crafting, participants supported each other on the tricky can-opening task and exchanged design ideas, fostering closer connections.
After an hour of activity, participants completed their lanterns. Each lantern has uniqueness such as floral patterns which inspired by their name or incorporating the original can designs. Initially nervous participants were more relaxed by the end of the event.
Beautiful lanterns are here! They can enjoy it home at night or where dark.
The summer workshop “Crafting in English! Let’s Make Lanterns with Discarded Aluminum can” successfully provided a comprehensive and bright experience for everyone, regardless of their English proficiency.
Postscript
The Meguru Hoshiten English Cafe celebrated its 10th event with this gathering. We thank everyone who has been involved in our community!
In this special edition, a first-year middle school student attended with her mother and a classmate. She joined our community for the first time and shared a notable story behind.
Her mother, who have lived abroad when she was young, encouraged her and she began learning English as well as taking English class at her school. They happened to find our welcome video on the Circular Yokohama YouTube channel, and was inspired by coordinators’ language learning experience. It made them join our community to gain learning motivation from other adults who have straggled and overcome the difficulties.
Event coordinator Rina shared her own story that she did not like studying English at all until meeting international students from overseas at her college, which eventually led her to a career in translator and opening the English cafe.
At the end of the event, the student seemed to get the importance of going out and sharing ideas with various people, even if she wasn’t yet confident in her English skills. Supported by a classmate with overseas experience, she eventually opened to conversing in English.
a photo with participants
Circular Yokohama will continue supporting those who wish to learn and enrich their lives through language learning.
The next event will be held on Tuesday, September 10, 2024, from 18:30 to 19:30. Please register via Peatix page down below.
We also hold seasonal events and talk shows irregularly. Information on these events is available on Circular Yokohama’s Instagram (@Circular_Yokohama) and Peatix account. We always welcome anyone to be part of our community.
[Related post]About qlaytion gallery
室井梨那（Rina Muroi）
Latest posts by 室井梨那（Rina Muroi） (see all)
Participants drew patterns on the sides of the cans and used pushpins to create the designs[/caption]
[caption id='attachment_17839' align='aligncenter' width='1000'] Kids also designed their own lanterns[/caption]
In line with Circular Yokohama's theme, 'Playful Circularity,' participants brought their favorite used cans, which sparked lively conversations during the icebreaker.
[caption id='attachment_17843' align='aligncenter' width='1000'] The scene from the activity[/caption]
The topic shifted to interests in language learning and cultural exchange. Participants included a middle school student eager to study abroad, a businessperson who overcame the language barrier during a past trip to the USA, and a resident who was born and raised in Germany and moved to Japan.
Sharing personal experiences and ways to engage with language study helped participants feel more comfortable communicating in English. During the crafting, participants supported each other on the tricky can-opening task and exchanged design ideas, fostering closer connections.
After an hour of activity, participants completed their lanterns. Each lantern has uniqueness such as floral patterns which inspired by their name or incorporating the original can designs. Initially nervous participants were more relaxed by the end of the event.
[caption id='attachment_17845' align='aligncenter' width='1000'] Beautiful lanterns are here! They can enjoy it home at night or where dark.[/caption]
The summer workshop 'Crafting in English! Let's Make Lanterns with Discarded Aluminum can' successfully provided a comprehensive and bright experience for everyone, regardless of their English proficiency.
Postscript
The Meguru Hoshiten English Cafe celebrated its 10th event with this gathering. We thank everyone who has been involved in our community! In this special edition, a first-year middle school student attended with her mother and a classmate. She joined our community for the first time and shared a notable story behind. Her mother, who have lived abroad when she was young, encouraged her and she began learning English as well as taking English class at her school. They happened to find our welcome video on the Circular Yokohama YouTube channel, and was inspired by coordinators' language learning experience. It made them join our community to gain learning motivation from other adults who have straggled and overcome the difficulties. Event coordinator Rina shared her own story that she did not like studying English at all until meeting international students from overseas at her college, which eventually led her to a career in translator and opening the English cafe. At the end of the event, the student seemed to get the importance of going out and sharing ideas with various people, even if she wasn't yet confident in her English skills. Supported by a classmate with overseas experience, she eventually opened to conversing in English. [caption id='attachment_17853' align='aligncenter' width='1000']
a photo with participants[/caption]
Circular Yokohama will continue supporting those who wish to learn and enrich their lives through language learning.
The next event will be held on Tuesday, September 10, 2024, from 18:30 to 19:30. Please register via Peatix page down below.
[blogcard url='https://hoshitenenglishcafe-11.peatix.com' title='【9/10】Maguru Hoshiten English Cafe #11' img='https://cdn.peatix.com/event/4076570/cover-sYGXaKpdHKWznJGiZJkaal4JzIJIMvmA.png']Event details and register[/blogcard]
We also hold seasonal events and talk shows irregularly. Information on these events is available on Circular Yokohama's Instagram (@Circular_Yokohama) and Peatix account. We always welcome anyone to be part of our community.
[Related post]About qlaytion gallery" target="_blank">
