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広がれ国際交流の輪、子どもの探究心応援　横須賀ワールドフレンドシップ協会

推し広がれ国際交流の輪、子どもの探究心応援　横須賀ワールドフレンドシップ協会　

2021年9月9日神奈川新聞掲載

　日本と米国の子どもたちの架け橋に－。今年５月、横須賀を拠点に活動する英会話講師・田中孝一さん（３２）らが、浦賀のカフェレストラン「クールクラン浦賀」を拠点に、子ども向けの国際交流の場を開いた。木曜の夕方、カフェ２階に集まったのは５～８歳の日本人や米国人の子どもたち。国旗を描いたりフィンガーゲームなどで遊びながら、日本語や英語が混じり合った言葉や笑い声が飛び交う。

　基地のある地域性から、米国人の子どもや日米のハーフの子どもが多い横須賀。国際交流の催しもあるが、単発のものが多かった。「外国の言葉や文化に触れさせたい」。そんな保護者らの声を聞いてきた田中さんらは、「子ども同士が互いに認め合い、友達になれるように」と毎週教室を開く。安定して活動していくため、７月には「一般社団法人横須賀ワールドフレンドシップ協会」を設立。ＳＮＳで発信すると、米軍の拠点がある座間や厚木、逗子などに住む外国籍の保護者らから問い合わせが相次いだ。

　コロナ禍でオンライン交流が盛んとなったことで香港の子どもたちともつながり、夏祭りも開いた。仲良くなることで相手の話す言葉を知りたいと思う。言葉が分かれば文化が知りたくなる。「そんなお祭りがあるんだ」と、子どもの探究心は国境を越えていく。「リアルの場とオンライン、両方大切にしながら、輪を広げていけたら」とほほ笑む。

　また、日本語が話せない米国人保護者への通訳・翻訳のサポートも始めた。口座開設などの日常生活での困りごとを無償でサポートしていく予定だ。

(左から)同カフェ代表の慶本正憲さん、代表の田中さん、白川朋子さん、松永和也さん

☆毎週木曜の午後４時（６歳以下）と同５時１５分（７歳以上）、クールクラン浦賀（京急線浦賀駅徒歩２分）。１人８００円（２人目から５００円）ほか。申し込みは、同協会フェイスブックのメッセージまたは［メール］ｙｏｋｏｓｕｋａ．ｗｏｒｌｄ．ｆｒｉｅｎｄｓｈｉｐ＠ｇｍａｉｌ．ｃｏｍへ。

【英訳】

Let’s spread the circle of world friendship!
We are happy to support children’s curiosity.

In May this year Kôichi Tanaka (32), an English teacher, and others who are based in Yokosuka city opened a location for children where they could enjoy an international exchange at the café “COOL CLAN URAGA” in Uraga.

One Thursday evening, Japanese and American children ages 58 came to the cafe’s second floor. I could hear children‘s laughter and their conversation in Japanese and English as they played finger games and drew the national flags together.

There are many American and biracial children in Yokosuka city due to the proximity of the U.S. naval base. International exchange events are sometimes held in Yokosuka city, but most of them are onetime basis. Mr. Tanaka and other members heard from parents that they wished their children could have more opportunities to learn foreign languages and culture through international exchange.

To make intercultural events more frequent and sustainable, Mr. Tanaka and other volunteers launched a new incorporated association, Yokosuka World Friendship Association, in July of this year. They hold regular classes every week so that children from different countries can get to know each other and become comfortable with one another.

The Yokosuka World Friendship Association has already received many messages from parents of different nationalities　not only from Yokosuka city but also Zama city, Atsugi city and Zushi city as well. All of these cities have a U.S. naval base.

The Covid19 pandemic brought increasing opportunities of online exchanges to the Yokosuka World Friendship Association, and they were also able to connect with children in Hong Kong andhave an online summer festival. "We hope we expand the circle of friends taking advantage of both in person and online." Mr. Tanaka told us with smile.

The children are willing to learn foreign language by getting along well with friends from different countries. Therefore, they are willing to know foreign cultures too. The curiosity of children crosses national borders.

Recently, the Yokosuka World Friendship Association has started to support Americans who can’t speak in Japanese in Yokosuka city. They provide the service of interpretation and translation for free to support daily life problems such as opening a bank account or going to the doctor.

☆Information: Every Thursday from 1600 for 6 years old or under or from 1715 for 7 years old or over at Cool Clan Uraga (2 min walk from Uraga station). 800 yen per child (500 yen from second child). For sigh up, please send a direct message by Facebook messenger or e-mail to "yokosuka.world.friendship@gmail.com".