Rediscovering Home: What a Trip Back to the U.K. Taught Me About English, Food, and Travel by Paul | Jabble Chiba

Hello everyone, this is Paul from Jabble Chiba.
Recently, I went back to the U.K. for the first time in 10 years. It’s strange to say that out loud—ten years feels both like a lifetime ago and like no time at all.
Going back wasn’t just a holiday; it felt like reconnecting with a part of myself that I hadn’t visited in a long time.
And, of course, it reminded me why travel and language are so closely connected.

Food I’d Been Dreaming About for Years
One of the first things I did after arriving was eat all the food I’d been missing.
A full English breakfast was at the top of the list. Bacon, sausages, eggs, beans, mushrooms, toast—simple, heavy, and perfect.
It’s the kind of meal that feels comforting, especially when you haven’t had it for years.
In Japan, I often explain British food to students, but actually eating it again made those explanations feel much more real.
I also went for a proper carvery, which is something many Japanese people have never experienced.
Big cuts of roast meat, potatoes, vegetables, and gravy, all served generously.
Explaining this to friends reminded me how useful descriptive English is when talking about culture and food—something many of my students want to do when traveling.
And of course, there was fish and chips. Not just any fish and chips, but the kind wrapped in paper, eaten outside, with salt and vinegar.
It’s simple food, but it’s deeply tied to British culture.
Talking about food is often one of the easiest ways to start a conversation in English, and it’s something I always encourage students to practice.

Discovering (and Rediscovering) British Beer
Another highlight of the trip was the beer. The U.K. has an incredible variety of beers, especially ales, and trying different ones felt like exploring a familiar world again.
When you order beer in Britain, you often have small conversations with bartenders or locals—asking for recommendations, talking about flavors, or just chatting about the weather.
These small interactions are exactly the kind of “real English” that textbooks don’t always teach but travelers really need.
Many Jabble students tell me they feel nervous speaking English in casual situations like bars or restaurants.
My trip reminded me that those moments don’t require perfect grammar—just confidence and willingness to communicate.

Hiking in the Peak District
One of the most memorable parts of the trip was hiking in the Peak District, a beautiful national park in England.
Rolling hills, stone walls, quiet villages—it’s peaceful and breathtaking in a very British way.
While hiking, I talked with other walkers, asked for directions, and shared short conversations along the trail.
These weren’t deep discussions, but they were natural and friendly. It showed me again how language connects people, even in very simple ways.
Nature trips like this also made me think about how travel changes your mindset.
When you’re relaxed and enjoying a place, speaking English feels less like “studying” and more like just being yourself.

What This Trip Taught Me About Learning English
Coming back to the U.K. after so long reminded me why learning English isn’t just about tests or textbooks
. It’s about experiences—ordering food, chatting with strangers, traveling, and reconnecting with places and people.
Many adult students at Jabble Chiba study English for travel, hobbies, or personal goals rather than exams.
I think that’s a great reason to learn. English opens doors to experiences, not just information.
Even if you don’t plan to travel soon, learning how to talk about your interests—food, trips, nature, or daily life—makes English more enjoyable and more useful.

Bringing These Experiences Back to the Classroom
After this trip, I feel more motivated than ever to bring real-life English into my lessons.
Stories about travel, food, and culture make lessons more engaging and help students imagine themselves using English in real situations.
If you’re studying English with us in Chiba, don’t be afraid to talk about your own experiences or dreams. You don’t need perfect English—just curiosity and the courage to try.
Sometimes, a trip back home can remind you how far you’ve come. And sometimes, learning English can help you discover new parts of yourself too.
I’m looking forward to sharing more stories—and hearing yours—in class.

Chiba校
Paul

【日本人スタッフによる要約】

ジャブル千葉校のPaul先生が、10年ぶりにイギリスへ帰国しました。
フル・イングリッシュ・ブレックファストやカーベリー、フィッシュ＆チップスなど、懐かしいイギリス料理を楽しみ、現地ならではのビールもたくさん味わったそうです。

また、ピーク・ディストリクトでのハイキングでは、美しい自然の中で現地の人々と英語で会話をする機会もあり、
**「英語は勉強ではなく、体験のためのツール」**と改めて実感したとのこと。

旅行・食・自然といった身近なテーマを通して英語を使うことで、より自然で楽しい英会話につながります。
ジャブル千葉校では、大人の学習者の皆さんが自分の目的や興味に合わせて英語を使えるレッスンを大切にしています。