An annual event, Lightning Talks will be back! Lightning Talks 4 has been announced. It will be held online, in November 2024.

This year, there are two themes. One is わたしを変えた言葉 and the other one is わたしのたからもの. What they mean is that 'words that changed me' and 'my precious treasure' roughly, respectively. I will ask my students to choose one from these themes, but I think the first one is designed more for upper beginner to intermediate students as the notion is not simple, and it may require some complicated grammar to convey what you want to describe.

Whereas the second theme is a straightforward one, and it could be anything you like. I think this openness would be appreciated by all beginners.

This time, I have made it clear that I do not want to see an AI generated script from all the entrants. It is not helpful at all if the student processes their English script in AI, DeepL or Google Translate. The process of creating a script helps student's skills. This is what I believe in.

So, the students will have a plenty of time to prepare!! I look forward to seeing the event in November!!!

Noriko