Breaking down the language barrier one class at a time

Mayu Aketo, Airman and Family Readiness Center multicultural program manager, writes a class attendee’s name in hiragana during session one of the Beyond Survival Japanese class at Misawa Air Base, Japan, Sept. 10, 2012. The three session long class can only be taken after completing the Survival Japanese class. If you would like to attend either class, contact the AFRC at 226-4735 to sign up. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Kia Atkins/Released)

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Breaking down the language barrier one class at a time

Mayu Aketo, middle left, Airman and Family Readiness Center multicultural program manager, teaches hiragana characters to the Beyond Survival Japanese class at Misawa Air Base, Japan, Sept. 10, 2012. Hiragana is a set of symbols that makes up one basic component of the Japanese writing system, along with katakana, kanji and romaji. The class is three sessions long and can be taken by any base member after completion of the Survival Japanese class. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Kia Atkins/Released)

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Breaking down the language barrier one class at a time

Mayu Aketo, right, Airman and Family Readiness Center multicultural program manager, instructs U.S. Navy Damage Controlman 1st Class Will Mayorga, Electronic Warfare Squadron 132, on how to write words in hiragana characters during the Beyond Survival Japanese class at Misawa Air Base, Japan, Sept. 10, 2012. The AFRC provides four sessions of Survival Japanese and three sessions of Beyond Survival Japanese. If you would like to attend these classes, call the AFRC at 226-4735 to sign up. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Kia Atkins/Released)

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Breaking down the language barrier one class at a time

U.S. Navy Damage Controlman 1st Class Will Mayorga, Electronic Warfare Squadron 132, practices writing hiragana characters during his first session of Beyond Survival Japanese at Misawa Air Base, Japan, Sept. 10, 2012. In this session, class attendees practiced writing and saying the characters, days of the week, months and years as well as several other topics. If you’ve completed Survival Japanese and wish to give Beyond Survival Japanese a try, contact the Airman and Family Readiness Center at 226-4735 to register. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Kia Atkins/Released)

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Breaking down the language barrier one class at a time

Published Sept. 12, 2012
By Airman 1st Class Kia Atkins
35th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan -- You're living in a foreign country with a language that differs from your native tongue. Maybe you're lost and in need of directions or maybe you just want to ask about a recommended restaurant in the area.

If you feel like you don't even know where to begin on your quest of trying to learn the Japanese language, the Airman and Family Readiness Center can help.

The AFRC offers a Survival Japanese class that consists of four sessions and a Beyond Survival Japanese class that consists of three sessions. Interested base members must take Survival Japanese first before attending the Beyond Survival Japanese class.

Survival Japanese is held on Wednesdays from 9-10 a.m. or 5:30-6:30 p.m. at the Misawa Inn Conference Room and Beyond Survival Japanese is held on Mondays from 5-6:30 p.m. at the AFRC classroom located in the Torii Building.

"I feel like it is important to learn some Japanese so that base members can better understand this area and the Japanese culture," said Mayu Aketo, Airman and Family Readiness Center multicultural program manager. "I think it also helps to establish better relationships with base members and the Japanese community."

All classes require you to sign up in advance, so feel free to call the AFRC at 226-4735 to register or ask for more information. Don't let the language barrier stop you from enjoying your time here at Misawa.