Wednesday Workshop: Quick Recap

The meeting covered a range of personal topics including daily habits, routines, and preferences, as well as experiences with learning English and effective communication techniques. Participants shared their thoughts on various subjects such as comfort foods, to-do lists, and public speaking, while also discussing personal health issues and experiences. The conversation ended with discussions on positive thinking, the importance of back channeling, and the use of idioms in language learning.

今日のワークショップでは、毎日の習慣や日課、嗜好、英語学習の経験や効果的なコミュニケーション・テクニックなど、多岐に渡りました。参加者は、定番の食べ物、ToDoリスト、人前で話すことなど、さまざまなテーマについて意見をシェアし、また個人的な健康問題や経験についても触れました。慣用句にも慣れるためのトピックもありました。

Question:What’s the first thing you do in the morning to start your day well?

Response:

The first thing I do is go to the toilet. I check my blood pressure.

In winter, my blood pressure tends to go up. My doctor told me to change my medication.

After that, my blood pressure went down.

Question: Would you say you are more street-smart or book-smart?

Response:

My answer depends on the situation. But if I want to learn something new, I prefer to go out and experience it firsthand. Trial and error is a great approach, I think.

Question: Are you a hands-on learner?

Response:

At first, I studied English grammar. As we know, the Japanese English education system has focused a lot on grammar. I’m not sure how it is now, but in the past, it was very grammar-focused. I first learned how to arrange English words and phrases.

 Before speaking English, I always thought about grammar rules in my head, wondering where to place each word. Because of that, at first, I couldn’t speak naturally.

Now, I’m getting used to speaking more fluently.

 So, regarding the question of whether I am a hands-on learner or not—

I think being a hands-on learner is better than just studying theories.

Facilitator: I can tell you’ve become more comfortable speaking on the spot.