English Rangers and Nagasaki Velca Host Free Sports and English Event for Kids

Nagasaki, Japan – The fastest way to start speaking English is not sitting at a desk. It is having fun, moving your body, and communicating with native speakers. That was the idea behind a special free event that brought the English Rangers and the Nagasaki Velca Youth Club together for a first-of-its-kind experience for local children.

The event was held on Sunday, July 5, 2026 at the Nagasaki Velca V Sports Base youth training facility in Benten-cho, Nagasaki City. Rather than staying in the classroom, kids learned living English on the basketball and soccer courts. Two sessions ran back to back: first and second graders met from 1:30 to 3:00 pm, and third and fourth graders took the court from 3:30 to 5:00 pm.

The English Rangers, thirty native English coaches from the United States and countries around the world who tour Kyushu, led every activity. No sports experience was required. The goal was simply for everyone to have fun and move together, so athletic ability played no part in how children took part.

Coaching was intentionally personal. Activities ran in small groups, and one-on-one coaching sessions let coaches give each child real attention. Children practiced greeting, listening, and responding in English in a setting where moving, laughing, and playing come naturally, and many found themselves speaking without hesitation for the first time.

It was a perfect chance for kids to build confidence, get active, and naturally speak English with foreign coaches, completely free of charge. The event was held in cooperation with the Nagasaki Velca Basketball Club; as a note, Velca players themselves did not participate in the activities.

GHJ International thanks the Nagasaki Velca Youth Club, the volunteer coaches, and every family who joined us. We look forward to bringing more programs like this to Nagasaki. To follow upcoming events and teaching programs, explore the TEFL Teaching Practicum and other GHJ International activities on this site.