10th JASH Language Exchange (JASH LangX)
On June 6, 2026, the Japan-America Society of Hawaii (JASH) welcomed thirteen participants to its 10th JASH Language Exchange (JASH LangX), held from 10:30 AM to 12:00 PM at the JASH office. The session brought together both JASH members and non-members for a friendly, interactive opportunity to practice English and Japanese in a relaxed and supportive environment.
Participants engaged in lively bilingual conversations, forming new connections while sharing perspectives on Japanese, American, and Hawaii cultures. The program opened with a brief introduction to JASH, followed by a speed-chatting–style icebreaker designed to encourage quick, structured interaction. Attendees lined up facing one another and participated in a series of timed rounds, exchanging simple, beginner-friendly questions and answers before rotating to a new conversation partner.
The LangX format then continued with three longer conversation rounds. Participants were paired to practice English first, followed by Japanese, before rotating to new partners and repeating the format. In the final round, participants were given the flexibility to converse freely in either language, allowing for more natural and open-ended dialogue.
With participants representing a wide range of backgrounds and language proficiency levels, JASH LangX continues to provide an inclusive space where both beginners and fluent speakers can connect, learn, and grow. Through language practice and cultural exchange, the program promotes meaningful friendships and shared understanding across cultures.
Participant feedback from the event was highly positive. Among the survey respondents, 91% strongly agreed that they were satisfied with the language exchange session, and 82% strongly agreed that they would like to participate in the next JASH LangX event.
Comments included:
“For most people, changes to practice Japanese in a holistic setting are rare. I liked that the structure of the event was free and not too rigid. If there were more of these, I definitely would come out to them.”
「英語を話すことを凄く楽しむことができました。年齢も異なる人と交流したことでたくさんのアイディアを得ることができました。」(“I thoroughly enjoyed speaking English. Connecting with people of different ages gave me the opportunity to gain new ideas and broaden my perspective.”)
JASH LangX will continue on a quarterly basis. The next session is tentatively scheduled for September 19, 2026. For registration details and more information, please visit our LangX webpage at www.jashawaii.org/langx.
