Christmas Party 2017!
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Brrrrrrrr, it's cold. Or as they say in Japan, ブルブル "buruburu".
We escaped from the cold snap on Friday night with a Christmas noodle party!
↓ Off to E-Kagen on Sydney Street. Spot the Step Up Japanese students...
We started the night off with a film title quiz: guess the (non-Japanese) film title from its Japanese translation.
Everybody did well, but there were a few tricky ones in there too.
↓ Intense concentration.
↓ Special thanks to Phil for making an appearance despite having to rush off to host his own event the same night!
It wouldn't be a Christmas party without crackers - these ones had Japan-themed jokes in them too.
I have just realised I didn't take any pictures of the food. Pictures of people are much nicer, don't you think?
The food was great though!
E-Kagen has a real family-style feel, and an open kitchen so you can see your dinner being prepared.
↓ Full bellies. Massive thanks to all the staff at E-Kagen for hosting such a big group of us.
↓ Excellent Christmas jumpers.
↓ Off to the pub for a mulled wine. Or as they say in Japan, ホットワイン ("hotto wain").
↓ Impromptu kanji practice.
Thanks for another great year everyone! It's an absolute pleasure to work with such wonderful students.
メリークリスマス (Merry Christmas) - and stay warm!
Like many people in the UK, I studied French in school. I liked French. I thought it was really fun to speak another language, to talk with people, and to try and listen to what was going on in a new country. (Still do!)
When I was 14 we went on a school exchange to the city of Reims, in northeastern France. I was paired with a boy, which I’m sure some 14-year-olds would find very exciting but which I found unbearably awkward. He was very sweet and we completely ignored each other.
That was nearly 20 years ago, and I didn’t learn or use any more French until, at some point in lockdown, I decided on a whim to take some one-to-one lessons with online teachers. Here are some things I learned about French, about language learning, and about myself.