Start with “It’s okay to make mistakes”: A workshop for speaking English together
Overview
Many people want to speak English but hesitate to travel abroad or talk with international students because they feel embarrassed about making mistakes or worry that they will not be understood. Even when universities offer opportunities to learn English, it can be hard to speak up if everyone else seems more fluent.
This workshop brings together people who feel uneasy about speaking English. We aim to create a welcoming space where you can feel comfortable making mistakes and trying to get your message across, even when you cannot find the perfect words. Through games, conversation, and simulations of situations you might encounter abroad, you will have repeated chances to use English.
The goal is to try communicating with the words and phrases you already know, rather than to speak perfect English. Participants will help one another explore questions such as “How could I say this?” and discover useful expressions along the way. We hope the experience will make speaking English feel a little less daunting and help you think, “I may not be good at English yet, but I could give it a try.”
| 📂 Category | Initiative |
| 📌 Keywords | English, conversation, communication, feeling safe |
| 🎯 Objective | Ease anxiety and tension about speaking English, and help participants feel comfortable and confident enough to give it a try. |
| 🌐 Language | Japanese (some activities may be conducted in English) |
| 👥 Target Participants | Graduate and undergraduate students who feel uneasy about speaking English |
| 🗓 Format | Two in-person sessions (2 hours each); attendance at both sessions is recommended |
| ✅ Past & Upcoming Sessions | #1: Wednesday, December 9, 2026, 18:00–20:00 #2: Wednesday, December 16, 2026, 18:00–20:00 |
| 📍 Venue | S6-309A, South Building 6, 3rd Floor, Ookayama Campus |
| 🌟 Recommended for | • People who feel uncomfortable speaking English • People who would like to travel abroad but feel anxious about speaking English • People who get nervous talking with people from other countries • People who find English classes or conversation lessons too advanced • People who want to practice getting their message across before worrying about perfect English • People who want to explain their research or talk about themselves in English |
| 📊 Points | 4 points (2 pints x 2) (Points to be awarded to students enrolled in the courses for credits. Please refer to the syllabus for details.) |
| 🎟️ Capacity | 8 participants |
Main Content
The workshop consists of two sessions.
Session 1 begins with participants sharing the worries and discomfort they feel when speaking English. Recognizing that others feel the same way helps create a comfortable space for trying things out. Through games and conversation activities, participants then use English in an enjoyable setting and practice getting their message across with the English they already know, without worrying too much about grammar or accuracy.
In Session 2, participants try simulations of situations they may encounter abroad, such as at an airport, in a shop, or on the street. They also work together on questions such as “How would you say this in English?” Participants then practice explaining familiar topics, including their research or hobbies. These activities offer more opportunities to express their own ideas in English and gradually build confidence.
Facilitator
Yuta Murao
PhD student, Graduate Major in Life Science and Technology, School of Life Science and Technology, Institute of Science Tokyo,
Academy for Leadership (ToTAL) student
Yuri Matsuzaki
Specially Appointed Professor, Center for Entrepreneurship Education and Academy for Leadership (ToTAL), Institute of Science Tokyo
Contact Faculty
Yuri Matsuzaki
📩 matsuzaki.y.77a9 [at] m.isct.ac.jp