第190回 WORKSHOP報告(2月2日) / 参加者43名

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
《 今回のworkshop 》
○workshop参加人数:43名(うち新人の方:8名)
○【前半】:How to work with foreign colleague
○【後半】:Valentine’s Day
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

≪FIRST HALF≫
I am working for trading company and have been working with foreign colleague over 10 years.(I have mainly worked with colleague in our Vietnam office on my frequent business trips.)
I enjoy working with them but also honestly I sometimes feel some difficulties because of difference of culture or attitude to work.

For example of my case, I always try to tell what I want Vietnamese colleague to do more clearly than telling to Japanese. Sometimes I intentionally skip explaining some parts of the detail of the project in first direction to avoid my main point to be unclear in too much explanation. After that, I make an additional explanation of the left of the detail separately for more understanding of the project.

Now the discussion of immigrant or foreign workers are booming. I think, it is a good opportunity for us Japanese to think how we live and work together with foreign people.

Today I would like you to discuss how we work with foreign colleague to make a good performance on business.

After discussion, I hope to hear your ideas about question No.2~4 from 3 tables.

Questions
1. Do you have any foreign colleague in your work?
If so, have your ever experienced some problems?
If not, how do you imagine to work with foreign colleague?
2. What do you think about the difference of attitude to work between Japanese and foreign colleague.
3. What action is required to us for smoother work with foreign colleague?
4. What will be an advantage for your company if they employ foreign people as your colleague?
5. Is your company positive to employ foreign people?

≪LATTER HALF≫
Valentine’s Day

Originating as a European feast day as early as the 4th century, Saint Valentine of Rome was imprisoned for performing weddings for soldiers; who were forbidden to marry. Saint Valentine was persecuted under the Roman Empire.

According to legend, during his imprisonment and before his execution, Saint Valentine is reported to have performed a miracle by restoring sight to the blind daughter of his judge. Before his execution he wrote her a letter signed “Your Valentine” as a farewell.
The day first became associated with romantic love in the 14th century, when the tradition of courtly love flourished. In 18th-century England, it evolved into an occasion in which lovers expressed their love for each other by presenting flowers, offering confectionery, and sending greeting cards.
Valentine’s Day symbols that are used today include heart-shaped outlines, doves, and the figures of the winged Cupid. Since the 19th century, handwritten valentines have given way to mass-produced greeting cards.
In Europe, Saint Valentine’s Keys are given to lovers “as a romantic symbol and an invitation to unlock the giver’s heart”, as well as to children, in order to ward off epilepsy (called Saint Valentine’s Malady).
Saint Valentine’s Day is an official feast day in many parts of the Orthodox Church, however some European folk traditions connected with Saint Valentine’s Day have become marginalized by modern customs. There are some remaining associations connecting this day with the advent of spring.
In Slovenia, Saint Valentine was one of the saints of spring, the saint of good health and the patron of beekeepers and pilgrims. A proverb says that “Saint Valentine brings the keys of roots”. Plants and flowers start to grow on this day. It has been celebrated as the day when the first work in the vineyards and in the fields commences.

The Orthodox Church is the second-largest Christian church, with approximately 200-260 million members. As one of the oldest religious institutions in the world, the Orthodox Church has played a prominent role in the history and culture of Europe. It operates as a communion of churches, each governed by its bishops. The church has no central doctrinal or governmental authority analogous to the Pope of Rome, but the Patriarch of Constantinople is recognized by all as the first among equals of all bishops.
From the mid-5th century to the early 13th century, Constantinople was the largest and wealthiest city in Europe. The new capital of the Roman Empire (Now known as Istanbul)

Discussion Questions:
・Which traditional gift would you rather receive: chocolates, flowers, or a card with a personal message and why?
・Have you ever received a Valentine’s Day card or gift from a secret admirer? How did it make you feel?
・What is the most romantic thing you have done for another person?
・Valentine’s Day is promoted by companies whose only interest is making money. Do you agree or disagree?
・Describe your perfect Valentine’s Day date.

Extra question:
・Giving chocolate (mainly from woman to man) on Valentine’s Day is an example of the customs which was transformed by Japanese when it was accepted.
 If you know other examples of such transformed customs, please share it and discuss the reasons of the transformation.

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
私たちと一緒に英語コミュニケーション能力を鍛えませんか?
ご興味を持たれた方は、
入会申込フォーム
https://english-speaking-club.com/cms/?page_id=93
よりお申し込みください。お待ちしています!

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::