Community "Nihongo Kyoshitsu" Activities Report, vol.12

The regional Japanese language education coordinators of the Tokyo Metropolitan Foundation "TSUNAGARI" are visiting Japanese classes in Tokyo and introducing them in the Community "Nihongo Kyoshitsu" Activities Report.

 

In our twelfth report, we are introducing "Hachioji Nihongo no kai" in Hachioji City.

About Hachioji City

Hachioji is a city that offers exceptional access to both the city center and nature. Hachioji Station is served by seven train lines, making it possible to get to Tokyo, Shinjuku, or Yokohama without changing trains. The fact that Hachioji is the first stop on multiple train lines makes the city very appealing to commuters and students.
There are many universities and Japanese language schools in Hachioji, and the city is characterized by its high percentage of foreign residents who are students.

 

Population (as of the end of June, 2024): 560,520

                               Foreign population:   16,296

 

About Hachioji Nihongo no kai

Hachioji Nihongo no kai began its activities in 1992. There are currently nine groups of students learning at 12 classes in six locations in the city.
All nine groups have "Terakoya" in their names, for example Hachiojiekimae Sunday Terakoya, Kodomoshien Terakoya, and Kitano Terakoya, which helps to increase people's familiarity with the classes. The name terakoya refers to a type of educational institution dating back to the Edo period that had the same aim: to provide a place where everyone could study. 

Hachioji Nihongo no kai is quite large in scale, as there are nine groups with over 150 students and supporters in each.
Not only are there many members, they also hold a speech contest for students once a year, and everyone works together actively.

The group that we visited was the Hachiojiekimae Friday Terakoya.
Classes are held on Fridays in a rented conference room at the NPO Hachioji International Association (Global Citizen Plaza Hachioji), which is located in a building across from Hachioji Station.

 

Students were learning one-on-one with supporters, with some students having brought materials they wanted to use, while in other cases supporters prepared materials.
The group includes a training session for supporters, where they share insights obtained in their activities. If one person doesn't know something, there will be someone else who can teach them.

 

 

There were fewer students than usual because it was summertime when we visited, but despite the intense heat, everyone gathered there was really eager to learn.

 

Because the Hachioji Nihongo no kai offers many classes, they don't have enough supporters.
No special qualification or experience is required to become a supporter, but they would like anyone interested in helping out to understand that you may be asked to take charge of positions at meetings and events in addition to supporting students in their learning. Hachioji Nihongo no kai is truly a "Japanese class for everyday people," and supports those who reside in the Hachioji area.

 

▶Hachioji Nihongo no kai website

   https://nihongonokai.com/english/

 

Please get in contact if you are interested!

 

▶Hachioji Nihongo no kai inquiry form

  https://nihongonokai.com/contactus/

 

Thoughts on our visit…

Among the students, many go out of their way to attend this specific class rather than a closer one. This includes those who continue attending even after moving out of Hachioji City despite the difficulties of commuting from far away on unfamiliar trains.
While the easy-to-access location by Hachioji Station is undoubtedly a major reason for the popularity of the classes, I am sure that the comfortable feeling of the classes is also appealing to learners.
In keeping with the name "terakoya," the classes have a warm atmosphere where anyone can learn.

 

by AS