Teambuilding Idea: Learn Japanese Writing
Posted on Wednesday, February 14, 2007 by Frank Roche
Here’s a fun idea for a teambuilding exercise: learn Japanese writing. iKana is a cool new app that can help trainers learn some Kanji, and then have some teambuilding fun. What the heck, it’s got to be better than “two truths and a lie” as an icebreaker. And who can go wrong with flash cards?
[via Mat Lu at TUAW]
Robyn McMaster
Feb 16th, 2007
What a wonderfully creative idea, Frank. Not only would this push the brains of team participants, but it would also build some good will if team members should go to Japan at some point. After all, folks in other cultures are gratified to see others attempting to communicate even just a little in their language. It gives a sense that you value them.
Frank Roche
Feb 16th, 2007
Hi Robyn. I’ve always felt that learning a few words in many languages is a way into cultures. When I saw these Japanese flash cards I thought they could be helpful. How cool would it be for team members to recognize a few words in Japanese…and as you say, it might be a gateway to learning much more about the culture (even by visiting japan). I’m a big fan of “the buffeting winds” approach to life…I never know where the next thing I learn might lead.