On June 2nd, students in the 英語のしくみ class had the unique opportunity to learn from a special guest speaker, Hobenu-sensei, an English teacher from Chinzei Gakuin High School. His lesson, titled “African English and its Culture”, offered an engaging and eye-opening exploration into the rich linguistic and cultural diversity found across the African continent.

Hobenu-sensei began by highlighting the unique features of English as it is spoken in various African countries. Students learned how African English is unique. A particularly fascinating topic was Pidgin English, a form of English that has developed in many African regions as a means of communication among speakers of different native languages. He explained how Pidgin is not “broken” English, but a fully functional language with its own rules and expressive power.

The lecture also touched on how English in Africa is influenced by the continent’s vast linguistic diversity. With the variety of languages spoken across Africa, the way English is used and adapted varies widely from one region to another, making it a dynamic and evolving form of communication.

Beyond the linguistic insights, Hobenu-sensei shared an important and encouraging message with the class: have confidence in the language you speak. He emphasized that making mistakes is a natural and valuable part of the learning process. His words resonated strongly with students, many of whom found renewed motivation to speak English more openly and confidently.

We sincerely thank Hobenu-sensei for taking the time to visit our university and for sharing his knowledge, passion, and positive message. His guest lecture was not only informative but also inspiring, offering students a broader perspective on the global nature of English and the importance of embracing linguistic diversity.

We look forward to welcoming him again in the future!