What's New at Kyoto NHK ESS?

Dear members of Kyoto NHK ESS

I’d like to inform you about the practice on Dec. 10, as follows;
1. Date: Dec.10, 2016
2. Genre: Discussion
3. Title: Social problems
Suppose you are a civil servant or a legislator in a city, please make suggestions to solve the following problems.
(1) How to prevent traffic accidents by elderly people?
(2) How to encourage bachelor boys and girls to marry?
(3) How to increase birthrate in your community?

4. Description
Make 6 groups. Discuss these issues in the group and make a few proposals to solve the problems.
Choose someone as a presenter for your group and let he/her present your proposals on one of the problems to the audience.

Time schedule:
Discussion: 10 min. for each problem. → 30min.
Choose a presenter and the problem you should present: 5 min.
Presentation: 3 min. each　→ 18min.

All these problems are common in every local government now and also very serious and critical, especially in the remote communities.
I hope you could work out concrete, feasible and unique proposals and enjoy the practice.

Giichi Kitaura

Dear Kyoto ESS members

This is the announcement of practice to be held on Dec. 17th at the
Hito-Machi by Shimon Nakamura.

Genre: Make an impromptu speech in English

Have you improved your English ability in this year? Most companies in
Japan encourage their employees to boost their English power in business so
as to negotiate with their clients smoothly in English. English, although it
is no more than a tool to communicate, will be most effective in business
use.

Rouse up to break out of your shell and speak actively English, especially
applicable for new comers and fresh members.
Do not hesitate. English speaking here is not a privilege of old pushing
faces.

I will prepare about 30 topics or more which are all familiar to you.
For instance;
1) What is the most important thing (only one) except your life?
2) What plan do you have to live for your next ten years?
3) Death from over-work
4) Community chest
5) Advice to young person for marriage

The prepared sheet will be handed out to you at the site.

Time schedule: (Making some groups depending on the participant's number)

17:40-18:30 Every one is required to pick up two topics at least in your
group.

18:30-18:40 Presentation of topics discussed in your group by a new comer or
fresh member, preferable.

Hoping you to have an active time, I am.
Shimon Nakamura

Dear kyoto ESS members
This is an announce of the practice of Dec,24th.

[Gera] Discussion
[Title] 1. What are the most significant events of 2016 ？
2. What are the most memorable yours episord of 2016?
[Description] Make some group (6people)and dvide group into 2 teams
Let's talk about some events or yours episord for 45 minute
Choose a presenter in your group ,and make a 3 minute
presentation. [For reference]
Major World Events→Britain's Ext from the EU,Zika Virrus
spread across US, Summer Olympics in Rio De Janeiro Brazil,
34killed 151 wounden in Brussels Terror Attacks,
Panama Documents,Donald Trump Elected as US President,…et
Maior Japan Events→The kumamoto earthquake that occured in April,
The Hiroshima Carp's first pennant in 25 years,The SMAP
break-up,Niigata culls 540,000 chickens over bird flu,…et

I hope you will enjoy the practice.
Thank you,

Best Regards,
Masako Mori

Dear Kyoto NHK ESS members

I’d like to share with you the practice to be discussed on Jan.7th, 2017 as follows:

1. Date: Jan.7th, 2017
2. Genre: Talking
3. Title: Events during new year season

As you know, various traditional events shown below are held in Japan at the beginning of new year from the end of previous year. Then, please choose several events, and talk about them in your group including the memories of your past day and your childhood.

1) General house cleaning　(大掃除)
2) Year-crossing noodles（年越しそば）
3) Mochi pounding（餅つき）
4) Year-end party（忘年会）
5) New Year’s Eve bells（除夜の鐘）
6) Worship of the first sunrise of a new year（初日の出参拝）
7) First shrine or temple visit of the New Year（初詣）
8) Written oracles（おみくじ）
9) Lucky charm（お守り）
10) New Year’s card （年賀状）
11) New Year’s gift（お年玉）
12) New Year dishes（おせち料理）
13) First dream of the New Year（初夢）
14) Soup with rice cakes and vegetables（雑煮）
15) Seven-herb rice porridge（七草粥）

4. Description
Please make 5-6 groups and select a leader/presenter in your group.
Then, choose several events, and talk about them in your group from the following point of view, for example.

a) What were you involved in ?
b) When and where were you involved in that event ?
c) Whom did you enjoy the events with ?
d) What was the most impressive or funniest point of the event ?, etc.

After the group talking, please show us the funniest story of your event by a presenter.

Rough time schedule:
Material reading/understanding:5min
Talking within the group:40min
Introduction of funnist story of your group: 10min ( about 2 min from each group )

This is the first ESS meeting of new year and I expect a lot of funny story from all of you. Let's enjoy the practice.

Masahiko Oka