In June, ESOL students stepped right out of their comfort zones and presented workshops to the community about aspects of their cultures as part of Katikati's Festival of Cultures. Mio and Bom write here about their sushi workshop:

"On Tuesday June 25 our team presented a workshop about “What is the difference between Korean sushi and Japanese sushi”. My team was Momono, Bom and I. I’m not in the same class with Momono and Bom so we talked about it at interval and lunchtime. Bom is Korean. Momono and I are Japanese.

We chose the topic because we have sushi culture in each country and there are lots of sushi shops in New Zealand too so it is interesting. We decided to make sushi and give it to the audience it because it is better to understand, so I made sushi at night and took it to the workshop.

Momono was sick so she couldn't come. I got a message from her. She said I’m so sorry. I wanted to go but I can’t go. Bom and I allotted Momono jobs and practised.

I thought nobody would come but many people came there so I was glad. I was not nervous but Bom was very nervous. She helped me with lots of things so we could enjoy our workshop.

After our presentation, Phamake and Reon introduced theirs about martial arts but I couldn’t see because I was cleaning my workshop very busily. I guessed that Reon did his Judo action to Phamake in front of the people.

I wanted to speak better and use gestures. It is hard so I think we had to practice for a long time. I don’t know if everyone could understand what the difference is between Korean sushi and Japanese sushi but I am glad they know the taste of them. I want to share Japanese culture with everyone."