What's New at Kyoto NHK ESS?

Dear Kyoto NHK-ESS members,

This is the announcement for the practice March 11th.
Sorry for the late announcement of the practice I will be in charge next week.

Genre:Group Discussion

Topics:Talk about your ideas and enjoy discussion based on a handout.

1. I want to make 4 groups.
So tell the number from 1 to 4 please.

2.I will provide you with materials.

3.Each sheet has some questions to discuss.
Please pick a few questions to discuss.

4.First, one may pick up a question from the sheet and do discussion in your group.

Next, the other member may pick up other theme from a sheet and continue discussion in your group.

Enjoy your fruitful discussion.

Thank you.

Hiromi Yamada

Dear ESS members,

This is an announcement for the practice I will hold on Mar. 18.
Genre: Music
Title: Song practice
Contents: I will bring my ukulele and distribute lyrics cards for each of you.
We will make 3 or 4 groups.
First, I will sing to my ukulele on behalf of you.
Next, we will have some practice and discussion time. If you are not sure about the meanings and pronunciation, ask the other members. We also have some discussion topics.
Third, the group leader should summarize the discussion results.
Finally, all the members who want to sing with me will sing to my ukulele.

Regards,
Atsushi Kato

Dear Kyoto NHK ESS members,
Here is an announcement of the latter half practice planned on March 25th.

【PARTⅠ】(17:40～18:10)
☆English Quizzes
Let’s enjoy English Quizzes.
Prizes will given for winners.

【PARTⅡ】(18:15～18:40)
☆General Meeting of Kyoto NHK ESS 2022
We 2022 staff will inform attendees the annual activity report and financial statements for 2022.

And the chairman will request the approval for these agenda.（financial documents & new staff members for 2023, etc.)

Motoko Tabata

Dear Kyoto NHK ESS colleagues:

Hi, there:

This is the second announcement of the 2’nd practice on April 1, for which I am in charge. The first announcement was sent to you a week ago, so, this is the reconfirmation. This is English Composition.

So, I think you need some preparation before the date.

Attached please find the copy of the material which is revised from the last one I sent last week.

“詩を英語で作って詠おう” 2023-4-1 Kyoto ESS．

L & G: Today’s practice is “Composition of Free-Style English Poem”.

I want you not be nervous but willing to join this exciting challenge. Your poem styles are free just like singing songs provided that two poetry concepts are considered: 1) thought, 2) rhythm.

PROCEDURE.
Make several groups consisting of 3 people. In the start, don’t hesitate to replace the example poem “Mujun and Kibou” for your own work.

1: Read the Japanese poem, shown below, titled “Mujun and Kibou”. This poem deals with two different but current issues, namely, a) COVID pandemic, b) Plastic Wastes. The poem tries to put them together under one common concept that is focused to the Egoism and Excessive Demands. (15 min).

2: Translate the Japanese poem into English as much as possible and as nice as possible within a limited time. You are inspired to talk and exchange tutorial Q & A in your group. (30 min).

3: If you find the Japanese text or phrases shown below are not your choice, you can replace or correct the words and phrases for your tastes or best ones. This is highly recommended.

4: Finally, in every group, sing or recite your poem with rhythms.(15min).

An example of the poem, wrote personally by the moderator, will be distributed on the day under a title“Contradiction and Hope in this Small World”. If necessary, you can use this unfinished work as your text for correction and modification.

Thank you and enjoy.

むじゆん　と　きぼう

私が求めてやまないもの、それは
平和と自由と愛、この三つだけ

私が避けたいと願うもの、それは
疎外と孤独、無関心と格差、独占と贅沢、略奪と戦争

きみがおんぶにだっこされてきたもの、それは
環境、エネルギー、技術とお医者さん、母親

きみがこれから背負わなければならないもの、それは
地球と科学、医学とひとの命、親と年金生活

きみがもっと怖れるべきもの、それは
戦争と命の軽視、過剰な欲望、地球環境の破壊、未知のウイルス、

多すぎるけれど欲張らなければ半分になる

きみはなにかに抱かれないと生きられないという
だったら私がきみを背負って抱きしめよう

きみを背負うために私は生きなければならないから
私が生きればきみを救えるから

コロナ禍まで私は三密*1が大切だと気づかなかった
コロナとプラスチックが似ていることも知らなかった
作り使って捨て散らかすと因果が返ってくることも

なにかが壊れ間違っている
それは私たちが未熟だから
金勘定に目がくらみ先のことを見ないから
間違っても直さずにあとまわしにするから
科学技術と楽な暮らしにおんぶしすぎるから

ウイルスは人より古く知恵がある
きっと君より知恵がある

プラスチックは君が作ったばかり
作って使って棄てまくる

マスクもプラスチック遮蔽板*2も産まれたばかり
ポイ捨てされる赤子のようにきみを見ているよ

作：オクタン

＊１：三密とは密閉,密集,密接（Closed spaces, Crowded places, Close-contact settings）のこと．
＊２：partition plate, dividing panel or curtain.

Dear Kyoto NHK ESS members

Here is an announcement of the practice planned on April 8,2023

Title: Three Good Things
Genre: Talk

The Three Good Things is a method of increasing happiness proposed by Dr. Seligman, an American psychologist.
The method is very simple: "Before you go to sleep, write down three good things that happened to you that day."

Let's increase our happiness!

Description
1.Make several groups.
2.Think of three good things that happened recently.
3.Share it with your group mates.

Details of the rules will be explained on that day.

Masako Yamashita

Dear Kyoto NHK ESS members,
Here is the announcement of the latter practice planned on April 15th.
Genre:Group Talk
Topic:1 What makes you feel relaxed? 2 How do you release your stress?
Procedures:
1.Make several groups.
2.Talk about either or both of the topics above by turns and ask questions.

I hope you can enjoy free taiking.
Thank you.
By Megumi Iwai(the name of the person in charge)