KCC NEWS vol. 63 July 2021

KCCNewsletter

7Kashiwa Cross-cultural Center

2021

Kashiwa Cross-cultural Center
Palette Kashiwa
2-7-1-301 Kashiwa, Kashiwa
Chiba, Japan 277-0005
Tel: 04-7157-0281 Fax: 04-7165-7321
e-mail: kcc@kira-kira.jp
URL: http://www.kcc.kira-kira.jp

Foreign Language Classes Under the COVID-19 Pandemic
Right before the 2020 fiscal year language classes started, a state of emergency was announced, and theApril classes were postponed for one month. A month later the spread of COVID-19 infection was larger and theclasses were postponed again. Even after the state of emergency was over there were some restrictions about theuse of classrooms and considering the safety of the instructors and the students, we decided to cancel all classes
scheduled for the first half of the year. Finally, in October 2020, we were able to start classes with a half of the capacity and shorter class period of 60 minutes instead of 90 minutes. Due to the small class size, we regret that about
80 originally registered students were not able to take classes. To avoid COVID-19 infection in classes we conductedbody temperature checks and hand sanitization before each class. During the class, everyone was wearing a mask
and keeping social distance from each other, and we made sure to ventilate the room properly. It was hard to giveclasses in such unprecedented manner, but thanks to the cooperation of the instructors and students, we happily
and safely completed the latter half of the 2020 classes.
April of this year we were able to start 25 English, Korean, Chinese and Spanish language classes in Kashiwa and Kashiwanoha. Though the class capacity remained the same, the class period was back to 90 minutes, andnow all classes are filled with vibrant energy. We will continue to provide proper infection control measures for theenthusiastic instructors and for the earnest students.

Introducing Some Foreign Language Instructors
Ms. Kim Jinam(Korean - Beginning A, Intermediate B)

Ms. Tang Xiao Mei(Kashiwanoha Chinese - Beginning)

Ms. Kim is a cheerful and exuberant instructor. Her students
appreciate her highly for not only
teaching grammar clearly but also
talking about Korean culture. Herclasses are always fun and friendly, and every student participates
eagerly.

Ms. Tang (front row 2nd from left) with her students.

Ms. Park Junhee(Korean - Introduction A)
Ms. Park always begins her classby saying “Annyeong haseyo” (hello inKorean) with a big smile. She is fluent
in Japanese and her students say, “Herteaching is easy to understand and she
makes me want to take more classes”
and “She corrects my mistakes gently.”
She also tells students about Korean
history and gives information about
Korean youth.

Ms. Tang is from Xian, China. Since hermother was a Chinese/Japanese interpreter, she wasfamiliar with Japanese and she used to sing Japanese songs when she was a little girl. After graduating from Xian Foreign Language University witha degree in Japanese, she followed her husband toKashiwa in 1994.
She has been a foreign resident counselor
and an interpreter for the city of Kashiwa as well as
being a veteran Chinese language instructor. She
wants students to experience “fun of learning and joyof speaking Chinese” in her class. Besides textbook,she encourages students to speak freely, to read andmemorize Chinese poems and to learn current affairs.

Kashiwa Cross-cultural Center

KCC NEWS vol. 63 July 2021

JULY Events
Japanese Shonan Classes

Online Japanese Kashiwa Classes

ClassesClasses
Online Japanese Kashiwa Classes

Online Classes
Thurs

10:00 - 11:30

Intermediate I
Japanese Intermediate and up

Tue

10:00 - 11:30

Japanese for all Beginning I(2nd half)Sun

10:00 - 11:30

Beginning II, Intermediate I

Wed

10:00 - 11:30

Japanese Intermediate and up

Wed

19:00 - 20:30

Japanese for all Beginning I(1st half)

Thurs

10:00 - 11:30

Beginning Conversation I(Beginner, Beginning 1)

Thurs

13:00 - 14:30

Beginning Conversation 2(Beginning 2)

Fri

19:00 - 20:30

Japanese for all Beginning IISat

9:30 - 11:20

Intermediate Conversation

In Person ClassesThurs

10:00 - 12:00

Intermediate Iat Shonan Community Center**Summer Break**
July 15 (Thurs) to August 29 (Sun)**Summer Break**
July 18 (Sun) to August 31 (Tue)Free legal advice and administrative procedure support for foreign residents
Lawyers and administrative procedure specialists will be available to help foreign residents with legal questions and documents. Any questions or problems are all right, such as visa, domestic violence, divorce, or trouble at the workplace. Please register beforehand.		Date and Time:
July 28 (Wed)13:00 - 17:00 				Place: Palette Kashiwa A		Reservation:
KCC (Kashiwa Cross-cultural Center) OfficeInformation about COVID-19 for foreign residents
Available in multiple languages
https://www.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld-blog/100/

Kashiwa information delivery service
Also, please read Kashiwa CityMagazine.

Sign up to receive email announcements from the city, suchas information about earthquakes, fires, crime, and infectious
disease outbreaks in the language of your choice. Send a blankemail to this address to register.

2nd KCC Food Bank
We will provide free food for foreign residents in Kashiwa who are experiencing hard times.
(The event is over when all food is given. It may be over before the scheduled period.)
Date and time: July 25 (Sun)
9:30am - 12:00noon
Place:		
Palette Kashiwa Meeting Room G - Please call KCC (04-7157-0281)

Announcement from other organizations“Online Study Meeting” for KIRA members
Date and Time: Thursday, July 15, 2021 8:00pm – 9:10pm
Study Title:“Talk effectively online”			
Lecturer:Ms. Kumiko Yamaguchi(ITC Japan)
Fee:		Free					Capacity:
25
Apply by:Send your name and phone number to boshu-1@kira-kira.jp		
We will provide you with necessary class information.

Questions?
Please contact the office ofKashiwa Cross-cultural Center (KCC)

Tel: 04-7157-0281
Fax: 04-7165-7321
Hours: 8:30 - 17:15
Closed on Sundays and national holidays

KCC Newsletter Edited and Published by: Kashiwa Cross-cultural Center designated administrator
Specified non-profit organization, Kashiwa International Relations Association General Affairs Committee Public Relations Division