What's it like to be a Step Up Japanese student? Student Interview - Sara

Sara has recently completed the STEP 1 course. We caught up with her about her experience as a Step Up Japanese student, and how she has gained confidence in spoken Japanese.

And she tells us her favourite question for starting conversations in Japanese!

Watch the video, or scroll down to read a transcript:

Why did you start learning Japanese?

[I’m a] long time anime fan, basically I started watching it as a teenager, and always found little bits online – back when downloading PDFs was a thing I got a hiragana and katakana chart for a dollar online, and printed them out, and I was quite excited about it, and kind of [did] all bits and pieces but never actually was able to keep on it, and that’s when I chose to come to classes.

I really wanted the speaking practice, which is what I was very much missing.

And as I found out when I went on holiday there [to Japan], I knew the question, but as soon as I would go to say it to someone, my brain went blank. So I was like: “I need to practise!”

I’m getting more confident in my speaking, and I’m learning more words.

What are the classes like?

It’s informal chat at first, and then you give us a good idea of what we’re going to do that day, and how long it’s going to be, so we’re mentally prepared for what we’re doing.

It’s a lot of talking which is quite nice, it’s not you standing [at the whiteboard] and going “and this means this, and this means this”. It’s actually putting it into practise, and having things to talk about with people.

I do like the ‘Free Talk’ section, as well – we’re getting there. It’s hard. I’ve learned a question, and I always open with that question:

週末は何をしますか。(Shuumatsu wa nani wo shimasu ka? What will you do at the weekend?)

[Then your partner has] a few extra questions, and they kind of push you to go a bit further.

And then you think “I’ve just spoken in Japanese for ten minutes!”

How do you practise Japanese outside of class?

Out of class it’s mostly writing, so I tend to use the apps, like duolingo and memrise, and then I’ve just got folders where I try and write things down to cement them into my head. And then hopefully I’m going to start practising kanji as well.

So [outside of class] it’s more reading and writing, and then class is more, chatting and learning vocab, and taking that home with me.

Will you be using your Japanese in Japan on your upcoming trip? How will that be?

A bit easier now. I think I’ll feel more confident going into a shop and asking for things we’re looking for. When you go in and everything’s labelled up with kanji, you feel a bit…

But it will help me more, when I go to Tower Records and I’m looking for things via alphabetical order. I know hiragana now, so I can look for the ones I want.

How does it feel when you use Japanese to communicate with someone?

It’s rewarding, actually.

It’s one of those things where, it’s quite hard at first and then you push yourself.

That’s one of the things I like about the classes, it’s not like school, where everyone’s like: “don’t make a mistake, don’t say anything if you don’t know exactly 100% what [it] means, or what it is. Whereas we’re just, nope, we’ll just say it. If it’s wrong it’s wrong. I think we’re right most of the time.

How was today’s class?

Very good vocab practice. I did something that, I’m not entirely sure why I made Jaye [Sara’s classmate!] laugh so much, but he found it very entertaining whatever it was I said.

I quite like that game. It was funny.

And I still remember the new word from last week which was shippo (尻尾, tail).

Ok, let’s talk in Japanese!

日本に行ったことがありますか。
(Have you ever been to Japan?)

東京行きました。 *
(I went to Tokyo.)

たくさん歩き[ました]。
(I walked a lot.)

何を食べましたか。
(What did you eat?)

ラーメン、カレー、キットカット。
(Ramen…curry…kit-kats.)

どうしてステップアップジャパニーズで日本語を勉強しようと思ったんですたか。
(Why did you decide to study Japanese at Step Up Japanese?)

話す練習をします。
(To get speaking practice.) 

日本語のレッスンはどんな感じですか。(What are the lessons like?)

皆さん楽しい[です]。
(Everybody is fun.)

Would you recommend Step Up Japanese?

I think Step Up Japanese is a really good way to go, it’s really good practice, it’s a really relaxed atmosphere, and Fran’s such a good teacher. 

I have fun, and then I go home and think: “right I’m gonna do this!” I feel motivated to keep going at the weekends.

* I edited the Japanese slightly in the transcription of some of these answers for clarity.

Thanks very much to Step Up Japanese student Daniel Sheen for making this video!

What's it like to be a Step Up Japanese student? Student Interview - David

David has recently completed the STEP 3 course. We talked to him about what it's like to be a Step Up Japanese student, what the lessons are like, and his favourite things about the Japanese language.

And he tells us about using his Japanese to help some lost property in Japan find its owner!

Watch the video, or scroll down to read a transcript:

Why did you start learning Japanese?

[It was] after going to Japan for the first time.  It was an interesting trip, and it made me realise that I wanted to be more involved in Japan, and Japanese culture and language. 

I started at Step Up Japanese midway through what was then called the Beginner course [now STEP 1], and have carried on through STEP 3.

What are the classes like at Step Up Japanese?

We play a variety of games, only ever using the Japanese language. I find it difficult to play games only in Japanese, but I really relish the chance to speak only Japanese. It really makes me have to think in a way that maybe I wouldn't have the opportunity to, if I wasn’t taking the course.

I find the grammar of the Japanese language to be quite interesting. I enjoy learning the rules, and all the exceptions to the rules. 

How do you practise Japanese outside of class?

I enjoy Tadoku, as it gives me the opportunity to understand Japanese without the pressure of understanding every single word. Tadoku is the practice of reading lots and lots of books, with the focus being on skipping things you don’t understand.

Have you gone to any Step Up Japanese events?

During my time as a Step Up Japanese student, I’ve taken part in quite a few events. I really enjoy when we get together, and do karaoke, barbecues, and various other Japan-related things. And I also enjoy…ending up down the pub afterwards :-)

How have you actively used your Japanese?

When I went back to Japan, after starting lessons, I found that I could make pleasantries with people.

And there was an occasion when I was on a train and found some lost property. I had to take it to someone who worked at the train station and explain what train I’d just gotten off, and where it had come from, and where the train was headed.  I had to look up some of the words, but being able to piece together a sentence and explain to this man what was going on, it felt really good.

Ok, let’s talk in Japanese!　

日本について何が好きですか。
(What do you like about Japan?)

日本はとても面白い国です。日本のゲームが大好きです。
(Japan is a very interesting country. I love Japanese games.) 

好きなゲームは何ですか。
(What games do you like?)

 太鼓の達人が好きなゲームです。とても楽しいです。
( I like Taiko no Tatsujin [the Japanese drumming arcade game]. It’s really fun.

日本語の文法は面白いです。日本に行って、とても楽しかったです。
(I find Japanese grammar interesting. And when I went to Japan, it was really fun).

Would you recommend Step Up Japanese?

I would recommend Step Up Japanese to friends and family – and have.

I really enjoy classes, I really enjoy the teacher, [and] all of the students as well. It’s just a really friendly bunch, and I’d like for more people to be part of the Step Up Japanese family.

Huge thanks to fellow Step Up Japanese student Daniel Sheen for making this video!

2019 Summer Party!

Thank you so much for coming to our 2019 student summer party this year! We had a sunny, relaxing day on Brighton beach and even went for a paddle in the water.

I hope you enjoy these sunny photos of this happy day!

ブライトンの日本語教室で手伝ってくれる素晴らしいボランティアの皆さん

（英語版はこちら Click here to read this article in English）

ブライトン近郊に住んでいる日本人から「ステップアップジャパニーズでボランティアできますか？」というメールを時々いただきます。

こういうメールをいただいて、私は毎回とても嬉しく思います。近くに住んでいる日本人が私の日本語教室を見つけて、しかも手伝いに行きたいと思ってくださることは、とてもありがたいと思います。

今年度、日本人のボランティアは授業に手伝いに来てくださっただけではなく、イベントやワークショップも一緒に開くことができました。

イギリスのボランティア・ウィーク(Volunteers’ Week)をご存知ですか。毎年６月１日〜７日に行われる感謝のキャンペーンです。手伝ってくださるボランティアの皆さんに感謝を込めて「ありがとう」とお伝えする一週間です。

それでは、２０１９〜２０年のボランティアの皆さんへ大きな「ありがとう！」をお伝えしたいと思います。

サマープログラムに手伝いに来てくださったありあさんへ。

生徒たちと一緒にゲームをしながら、「ホットドッグ」の正しい発音を教えてくださってありがとうございます。

STEP 1（初級）とSTEP 2（初級２） の生徒さんと優しく話して、自信を持たせてくださった真里さんへ。

そして先月、素晴らしい折り紙のワークショップを一緒に開いてくださったさやさんへ。

皆さん、ありがとうございました！

A Japan Pub Quiz!

I wrote a little bit about my Japanese volunteers who come to help out at class and with events and workshops.

But I’m also helped enormously at Step Up Japanese by my students, who organise events, give me great ideas, and share helpful feedback on how to make class better.

Huge thanks to STEP 4 student Sheen-san for organising this fantastic Japan-themed quiz for us last week. And thank you all for coming!

またしましょうね。Let’s do it again sometime!

Our Fantastic Volunteers

（Click here to read this article in Japanese 日本語版はこちら）

Sometimes, Japanese people contact me and ask if they can volunteer at Step Up Japanese.

I’m always very happy that Japanese people in Brighton and Hove have found my school and want to visit and help out.

This year, a number of Japanese volunteers have helped out in class and with events and workshops.

This Volunteers Week, I’d like to say a big thank you to my 2018-19 volunteers!

Aria-san, who came to help out with Summer Programmes in 2018. Thank you for playing games with my students and teaching them how to say ホットドッグ (hotto doggu; hot dog):

Mari-san, for chatting with STEP 1 and STEP 2 students and encouraging them to speak with confidence:

And Saya-san, for teaching us incredible origami!

A Visit to Yokohama's Unko Museum (GUEST POST!)

I am delighted to introduce this guest post from Step Up Japanese student Philip Kinchington!

When I (Fran) heard that Phil was going to Yokohama's new poop museum on his recent trip to Japan, I knew there'd be some good photos in the pipeline...

So I was really pleased that he agreed to share these photos with you and this report from the Unko Museum.

(We got his friends' permission to use their photos too. When you’ve seen the photos, it'll be clear why this was important.)

Over to you, Phil! Yoroshiku ne!

On my recent visit to Tokyo I managed to meet up with my friends Tomo and Taka. They have a knack for sniffing out the most interesting and bizarre places to visit (the last time I met up with them they took me to the Monster Kawaii Cafe in Harajuku and then the Ramen Museum in Yokohama).

This time I was given the choice between the Kaiju Cafe in Kawasaki, or the Unko Museum (うんこミュージアム) in Yokohama. I had already been instructed by the mutual friend who introduced me to Tomo and Taka that I had to go to the Unko Museum or they would very disappointed in me, so the choice was simple (we ended up going to the Kaiju Cafe anyway, so it turned out to be a consequence free choice.)

うんこ (unko) is the Japanese equivalent word for poo-poo or poop, often used by small children. And while it is called a museum, it is more of a kind of crazy art installation with photo opportunities and a few interactive exhibits. There is very little of educational value beyond a display of some poop-themed toys from around the world.

While waiting for entry to the Museum, we were given the leaflet for the museum which doubled as a little spot-the-differences puzzle. We were also encouraged to don a 'poop-hat' for a photo opportunity (this will become a recurring theme.)

All photos courtesy of Phil Kinchington 💩

After queuing we were gathered into a group of about a dozen people and escorted into a small ante-chamber for instruction (none of which I understood.) Once the instructions had been delivered, we were encouraged to shout "UNKO!!" in unison before being directed through a curtain into the next room.

We found ourselves in a long, narrow room with half a dozen pastel-coloured thrones along one wall. We were directed to take our places on a throne and to make 'straining' faces for the obligatory photo opportunity.

Once they felt that enough photos had been taken, we were told to stand up and look into the bowl of the throne.

A souvenir poop to take away as a gift from the Museum. We were then funnelled from this room into the main Museum area. As we left the room, we were each handed a stick to place our souvenir poop onto for the convenience of carrying.

On entering the main room of the exhibition, we came face-to-face with a ball pit, at the centre of which was a giant poop sculpture (the Poop Volcano, apparently.) As we entered, a countdown was projected onto the side of the Poop Volcano.

10...9...8...7...6...5...4...3...2...1...0…

...and a fountain of small foam poops spray out of the top of the volcano. Two attendants came over to the edge of the ball pit carrying a giant, lidded potty. The children in the ball pit were then told to gather all of the foam poops and deposit them in the potty as quickly as they could. I have no idea what the purpose of this exercise was.

From here we worked our way around the other areas of the exhibition in a clockwise direction. First up was a handful of video games repurposed with a poop theme, or some kind of poop element.

Around the corner from the video games was another game, but one that was more physically interactive.

Near the end of the video I ask the rhetorical question "how old am I?" The official answer to this is (nearly) 44, but that's only because was a bit nervous and stuttered when asked my age.

Next was a room (sadly no photo) with three microphones and a large screen. The screen displayed what looked like a hosepipe pointing upwards from the bottom of the screen in front of each microphone. The instructions said to shout "UNKO!!" into the microphone. On doing this a poop was produced out of the appropriate hosepipe on the screen. It appeared that the louder you shouted, the larger the poop that was summoned, and the longer you held the shout, the poop would continue to float above the end of the hosepipe.

The remainder of the Museum was really just a series of photo opportunities (one of which looked worryingly like my Drawing Room at home.)

The Unko Museum is currently open in the Aso Building a short walk from Yokohama Station. The exhibition opened on 15th March 2019, but it is only open until 15th July, so you'd better be quick if you want to visit. You can find more information on their website (日本語だけ).

After the Unko Museum, we went to the zoo. They only had one animal, a small dog. It was a Shitzu.

P.S. Have you been somewhere cool and Japan-related that you’d like to share with us? Perhaps you have an interesting Japanese hobby or interest? Would you like to write a guest blog post for Step Up Japanese? I’d love to hear from you! Click here to get in touch!