Let us know in the poll whether or not you can join the Paired Speaking Practice! Paired Speaking Practice is about mastering a dialogue to improve fluency and speaking skills while picking up key vocabulary and common phrases. Get assigned a partner, arrange a time to chat and have a 10-15 minute speaking practice session. This time, the focus is on: Weekend Plans. 🌸 Mini Lesson — Talking About Weekend Plans Today’s conversation uses three useful speaking patterns: - asking about plans - saying what you want to do (〜たい) - inviting someone Let’s look at them. 1. Asking about plans Shuumatsu no yotei wa arimasu ka?Do you have weekend plans? - shuumatsu = weekend - yotei = plans - arimasu = have / exist You can change shuumatsu to: - kyō (today) - ashita (tomorrow) - raishū (next week) Example: - Ashita no yotei wa arimasu ka? 2. Saying what you want to do (〜たい) Pattern: verb stem + たいです Examples from the dialogue: Watashi wa eiga o mitai desu. I want to watch a movie. Watashi wa kafe ni ikitai desu. I want to go to a café. More examples you can use: - rāmen o tabetai desu (want to eat ramen) - tomodachi ni aitai desu (want to meet a friend) - kōhī o nomitai desu (want to drink coffee) 3. Making invitations Issho ni ikimasen ka? Shall we go together? This pattern is very useful: verb + ませんか Examples: - tabemasen ka? (shall we eat?) - mimasen ka? (shall we watch?) - hanashimasen ka? (shall we talk?) Positive response: - Hai, ikimashou! (Yes, let’s go!) 4. Arranging time Nanji ni aimashou ka? What time shall we meet? Gogo ni ji wa dō desu ka? How about 2 pm? Useful words: - gozen = morning / am - gogo = afternoon / pm - nanji = what time Quick Practice (before paired speaking) Can you complete these: Watashi wa ______ o mitai desu. Watashi wa ______ ni ikitai desu. Issho ni ______ masen ka? Check out the pdf attached which has the dialogue and English translation. Feel free to ask any questions about it!!

Paired Speaking Practice is about giving us a chance to speak Japanese aiming for fluency in these set dialogues to build our conversation skills. Please message your partner, organise a time to chat and practise the dialogue. Report back here how you went. If you have time practice dialogue 1 and 2 to build your skills. @Ev Ginguene x @Aaron Eccles-Smith @Flo Ginguene x @Karen Claire Patdu @Cicely Love x @Fenny Kirmil @Lavanya Karthik x @Psych Butterfly @Harry Lewis x @J. Alexander Bennett Please let me know if there are any issues. Arigatou, Joe Sensei.

Konnichiwa!! Let's try Paired Speaking Practice 2. Attached is the dialogue in Japanese and English. If you have any questions about the words or phrases, please feel free to ask them here! Also there is an audio file to read along with. I recommend listening and reading aloud many times. We want to have speakers that are committed to try to turn up and pairs that can work together easily. So, if you are keen to participate, can you please comment on this post (I'm in or sanka shimasu!). And add your timezone or city too please. In 48 hours, I'll announce the pairs and we can practise the new dialogue and support each other! @Anna Aguilar @Ev Ginguene @Rebeca G. @Karen Claire Patdu @Flo Ginguene @J. Alexander Bennett @Blaize Agena @Harry Lewis @Fenny Kirmil @Psych Butterfly @Tyson Sk @Layyen C @Cicely Love

We’re here - the Grand Final! After weeks of voting, debating, and some very hard choices, only two remain. The Grand Final: 🐉 Dragon Ball vs ⚙️ Fullmetal Alchemist Legacy versus mastery. Roots versus refinement. Only one will be crowned our community’s favourite anime. 🐉 Dragon Ball (ドラゴンボール) This is where it all began for countless fans. Dragon Ball didn’t just succeed—it defined what shōnen anime could be. Why it reached the Grand Final: Created the blueprint for training arcs, power growth, and rivalries A sense of adventure, humour, and joy that spans generations Characters that became global cultural icons An influence so deep that modern anime still echoes it This is anime history. Without Dragon Ball, the landscape looks completely different. ⚙️ Fullmetal Alchemist (鋼の錬金術師) A series often spoken about in terms of perfection. Fullmetal Alchemist balances action, philosophy, emotion and politics with rare precision. Why it reached the Grand Final: Exceptionally tight storytelling from start to finish Deep themes of sacrifice, morality, and responsibility A richly realised world and unforgettable cast A story that resonates just as strongly on rewatch This is anime at its most complete—crafted with care and purpose. 🗳️ THE FINAL VOTE This is it. Do you choose the foundational legend that shaped the genre? Or the storytelling masterpiece that refined it? 💬 Cast your final vote and share why—this is the one worth defending. 勝つのはどっちだ！？ (Which one will be crowned!?) 🏆🔥

Yesterday's winner was... Dragon Ball!!! Every choice now feels like a betrayal. Today’s matchup:⚙️ Fullmetal Alchemist vs 📓 Death Note Two titans of anime storytelling. Two very different visions of power, morality and consequence. ⚙️ Fullmetal Alchemist (鋼の錬金術師) Often held up as the gold standard of anime storytelling. Fullmetal Alchemist weaves action, philosophy, politics and emotion into a narrative that feels complete, purposeful, and deeply human. Why it belongs in the Final: - Exceptionally tight writing and world-building - Mature themes: war, loss, responsibility, and sacrifice - A cast where heroes and villains alike feel fully realised - A story that rewards reflection and rewatching This is anime that respects its audience and grows with them. 📓 Death Note (デスノート) A single supernatural object turns into the most dangerous weapon imaginable. Death Note is a relentless psychological duel that transforms justice into obsession and intellect into warfare. Why it earned its Final Four spot: - One of the most iconic concepts in anime history - Constant tension driven by mind games, not power levels - Characters that defined an era of anime fandom - A story that still sparks debate years later This is anime that challenges you to pick a side—and question it. 🗳️ Your Turn – Final Four Vote! Who earns a place in the Grand Final? - The balanced, philosophical masterpiece of Fullmetal Alchemist? - Or the razor-sharp psychological thriller of Death Note? 💬 Vote in comments and defend your choice—respectful debate encouraged. 等価交換か、神の裁きか？(Equivalent exchange… or divine judgement?) 🔥