When I went to the conversation group “Meet Up”, upon my arrival the group’s organiser Alex got up from his table to greet me. After a Japanese salutation (hajimemashite- how do you do), he briefly considered how to balance the seating arrangements of Japanese people with native English speakers and showed me to my seat. The number of people there was surprising. In total there would have been around 30 people, with tables of groups of around 2-5 people engaged in conversation.
My first conversation was with a businessman who worked as an English teacher in Japan. There are groups similar to Meet Up in Japan and he said he often participated in their activities as well. At Meet up, one set is comprised of 20mins of English and 20mins of Japanese. This is repeated three times. When the time comes, Alex goes around to tell everyone to change languages, so there’s no chance of having a conversation in just one language. Everyone considers this a fair language exchange. As for me, if the time wasn't set out, I would be concerned that I was speaking too much in English, and should I speak more Japanese, so it was a relief that the time for English and the time for Japanese were separated in the conversation. There are also seat rotations, so you can talk to all sorts of people. After the meeting was finished some people also went to another bar.
Alex says “I started this group for people who are a little shy and don't really make friends at places like bars and clubs. I think that in a place like this, making friends is a little more relaxed”. The group also has more of an element of study compared to regular social functions. Though it's held at a casual place like a bar, thanks to Alex’s efforts as the organiser, Meet Up is well run and popular.
I asked one person for their impression on Meet Up.
Chika, working holidaymaker, 10th day in Melbourne
My impressions of meet up…great fun. At school we study English mostly focusing on grammar, so I was very happy to be able to actually talk with locals like this. It’s way more fun than school (laughs). Today was my first time, but I came with a friend so I wasn’t really that nervous. I think if my English were better it would have been even more fun. And it’s also a way to study English, so I want to come again!
If you want to try your English without all the pressure, then go to Meet Up on a Tuesday night!
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Original article written by Writer Y
Translated by Garrick Low
