Community "Nihongo Kyoshitsu" Activities Report, vol.18

This article, written by university student O who participated in the Japanese Language Class Coverage Project, is featured in the Community Nihongo Kyoshitsu Activities Report.

This time, the article was written by university student O, who participated in the Japanese Language Class Coverage Project.

 

In our eighteenth report, we are introducing  "MIFA Japanese Conversation Salon" in Meguro City!

About Meguro City

Meguro City is located within approximately 10 km of the city center, making it a highly accessible area. It is also known as a trendy district, famous for its cherry blossoms along the Meguro River.

Population (as of November 1st, 2025):  282,884

                                   Foreign population:  12,207

 

MIFA Japanese Conversation Salon

The MIFA Japanese Conversation Salon is a conversation-based Japanese class for adults, held every Wednesday from 10:00–11:00 and 13:30–14:30, and on the 1st and 3rd Thursdays of each month from 19:30–20:30 at the Meguro International Friendship Association (MIFA) inside the Meguro City Office Complex.

Wednesday sessions are held face to face and online, and Thursday sessions are held online only.

Volunteers (1) and participants (1–2) form groups and engage in free conversation for one hour.

This time, I observed the Wednesday 10:00 AM session.

 

 

Appropriate Matching

During the free conversation sessions, learners and volunteers conversed freely, and every group enjoyed lively discussions.

Some volunteers used textbooks or showed photos on their smartphones as they talked, while some learners took notes.
Both learners and volunteers made efforts to facilitate smooth communication.

According to Ms. Kitazume, a staff member at the Meguro International Friendship Association, they place great importance on matching learners and volunteers. She noted that the reason every group’s one-hour free conversation session was so lively was because the matching was appropriate.

 

 

 

 

Thoughts on our visit…

Unlike classes that focus on formally teaching Japanese, the MIFA Japanese Conversation Salon centers on free conversation, creating a space filled with lively voices and a friendly, relaxed atmosphere.

Since both learners and volunteers sign up each time, it felt like an inviting environment where people could participate casually.

Next to the Conversation Salon, a Japanese class for beginner-to-intermediate level learners (the level prior to joining the Conversation Salon) was also being held, demonstrating that the Meguro International Friendship Association provides Japanese language learning support tailored to a wide range of needs.

 

 

by Japanese Language Class Coverage Project Participant, University Student O