Today's toastmasters

One more, I will update this blog today before I forget today's activity. Today I attened a toastmasters meeting. I made a speech in Japanese, the title was "it is difficult to use the word "Ganbatte" suitably".
I think it was done well.

Well, and, the table topics in English were also interesting. Ms.S gave us three themes.
1. What do you think of the consumption tax in Japan. Do you agree rise in it?
2. Some companies in Japan declared that they use English as the official language at work. What do you think of it?
3. Since next year English is going to take a regular subject at all elementary schools in Japan. What do you think of it?

I want to ask you who read this blog. "What do you think of it???"

1. I agree with rise in the consumption tax. Because "it can't be helped". But the proceeds from rise in the comsumption tax has to be used for the welfare field for nursing elderly . I hope the wage of nurses and helpers working at nursery centers or hospitals would also rise. --- Who will take care of "us" when Yuki and I get older???
So to be exact I agree with rise in the consumption tax on conditions that; our government should spell out the budget and have to allocate some to the welfare field.

2. I saw the articles in the newspaper. Unicro that is an apparel company, and Rakuten that is an Internet company did. On the other hand an auto maker says "it's nonsense to use English in the domestic work". Well these days the phrase of "using English" seems to be independent from the field site. Getting used to use English is necessary. But the word of "use" in this case means, to write, to read, to listen, and to speak English. And in worldwide business employees and clients can keep good relationship through simple English. But basically the way of thinking is formed by their native language. For example Japanese people often use" Ganbatte". This one word has various meanings depending on the situations. Try your best, You can do it, Work harder, Hang in there, etc. So especially in Japanese case, it is really dangerous to translate a Japanese word into an English word automatically every time.Among Japanese people they understand what they want to say in Japanese and even in English. People who doesn't get used to speak English with foreigners should be careful to use English to foreigners.

3. Well, Well, I think it cannot be helped. The official reason why English class will start at elementary school is that, at earlier age children have opportunies to hear English, better ears they have, and at elementary school children can learn English as fun not as a subject for entrance exams.
But, my reason why I agree with it, is different. I don't want to make much bigger difference between private schools and public schools or city schools and country schools. It is a human right for children to take education equivalently, isn't it? We can't stop for private schools (and some public schools in cities) to strength English education. And English is running after us until children become adults. These days to enter companies they check English ability. So children in publish school must not be left behind.

Well, Well, Yuki has come to have dinner. I have to make dinner though he bought SASHIME today.