Local community practices English with SMP Marines

Photo By Sgt. Nicole Rogge | CHATAN, OKINAWA, Japan- Pfc. Krysten Gomez laughs with members of the local community at a conversational English class July 18 in Chatan, Okinawa, Japan. The U.S. Consulate General in Naha organizes the meetings through their social media sites, inviting anyone who wants to test out their English speaking skills. The Single Marine Program works together with the U.S. Consulate to bring the local community and Marines together at four locations across the island bimonthly. Gomez is a combat photographer with Headquarters and Support Battalion, Marine Corps Installations Pacific-Marine Corps Base Camp Butler, Japan. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Pfc. Nicole Rogge)  

CHATAN, OKINAWA, JAPAN

07.18.2018

Story by Pfc. Nicole Rogge 

Marine Corps Installations Pacific

Marines volunteered to teach conversational English with members of the local community July 18 in Chatan, Okinawa, Japan.

Members meet bimonthly to practice their English with service members from nearby bases.

“This is open for beginners to advanced speakers,” said Shina Miyagi, the information resource center assistant at the U.S. Consulate General in Naha. “The main purpose is just to have fun speaking English. We offer the opportunity for the local community to practice speaking English.”

The U.S. Consulate organizes the meetings through their social media sites, inviting anyone who wants to test out their English speaking skills.

“Many people from the Single Marine Program come, so it’s a great opportunity for local people to get to know each other in person and they can understand American value,” said Miyagi.

For five years, service members from all branches have participated in these events. New members are always welcome at any of the four locations across Okinawa.

“The Japan-U.S. bilateral relation is a complex and touchy subject in Okinawa,” said Lisa Sakiyama, a resident of Okinawa. “There are not many opportunities where you can interact with Americans and feel so close to them. We can establish friendships through these small exchanges, and I think it can have a good influence on our relationship.”
For more information about upcoming events, visit your local SMP.

• Date Taken: 07.18.2018
• Date Posted: 07.23.2018 20:09
• Story ID: 285282
• Location: CHATAN, OKINAWA, JP