Explore the World through Opportunities

　

Internationalization is an important aspect of modern Japanese Foreign Language education and the "Period for Integrated Study". Internationalization is the process by which we open ourselves to the world around us and learn from others to make our lives more well rounded.

　

One cannot truly teach international understanding; it isn't like math or social studies. It can't be taught from a book. You can use subjects such as math or social studies to introduce concepts of international understanding. But in the end the best way to understand this idea is to give students an unique memorable experience or exchange interacting with other cultures.

　

There are several types of international exchange experiences. Each one has different goals or and involve different amounts of preparation.

　

-Sister city programs

　 Using the city's sister program to set up possible exchange opportunities for schools in your

　　 city, town or village.

-E-mail or letter exchange

　　Using the internet to find students abroad to exchange with your students.

　　Using the ALTs or local CIRs to set up email or letter writing programs　through their

　　　personal relationships in their home country (ie cousins, neighbors, friends)

-Local international community activities

　　Programs organized by local foreigners or groups interested in international relations and

　　　exchange.

　　Workshops organized by students or local board of education offices.

-Guest speakers

　　Having local foreign residents speak about their home country

　　Have ALT's friends or relatives come to class to give interactive presentations on culture.

-International exchange programs

　　Programs to give students a chance to study in another country

　

When setting up a program, you should think about what will be best for your situation. Factors to think about are: age, economic means, language skill and goals of international understanding. Then you are ready to develop a program for your students.

　

Sister City program

If you are lucky enough to live in a city with a sister city program, then you can easily set up email or letter exchanges and teacher or student exchanges to help in the promotion and education or international understanding.

　

　　　　Steps for setting up a sister city program

　　　　1)Does your city have a sister city?

　　　　　　　 ・Yes, go to step 2

　　　　　　　 ・No? To establish one go to http://www.sistercities.com

　　　　2)Find out who is responsible for the sister program in your city.

　　　　3)Ask them to help you find a school to exchange with

　　　　4)After establishing a basic relationship you can start any type of program you desire.

　　　　

　　　　

Email and letter pals

Email and letter exchange are the easiest types to create and maintain because students can do it on their own time and is very inexpensive. All it requires is access to a computer or pen and paper.

　

It doesn't always necessarily need to be with another country. You can do exchange within a country. To get students used to writing letters, you can set up a letter exchange between two schools in the same area. Then after the students are comfortable with using English and exchanging with someone of the same level, you can move to creating international exchanges.

　

Written communication exchange helps students ask questions and learn about each other and exchange without feeling the pressure of speaking. The internet is a very wonderful way to help students explore the world without a passport or spending tons of money.

　

　　　　Steps for starting a letter/e-mail exchange program

　　　　 1)Ask your ALT if they know any teens in their home country.

　　　　　　　 ・Have ALT find students in their home country who would be willing to

　　　　　　　　exchange with students at your school.

　　　　 2)Use e-pals online pen-pal network http://www.epals.com

　　　　 3)Match students with a pal.

　

Community activities and workshops

The next type of program for international understanding is community activities and workshops. These can be tricky if you are in a rural location, but not impossible. The challenge is preparation and finding time.

Every year each region of Gifu prefecture has workshops for students, ALTs and JLTs in their area. These workshops create a casual atmosphere where students can interact with foreign residents without feeling a lot of pressure of a grade. The goal is to have fun.

　

You can hold similar types of events at your school.　Unlike the regional workshops, which are limited to students interested in English, school events are for all students.　These types of events may require money.

Ideas for community activities　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　 ・Party organized by students　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　 ・Students perform a play in English or sing songs with local foreigners or ALTs ・ALTs and Students make traditional craft

　

　　　　Steps for holding Community activities events

　　　　1)Have students create an event plan

　　　　2)Create an invitation

　　　　3)Invite local foreigners

　　　　4)Have fun exchanging with people from around the world.

 

Guest Speakers

Having a guest speaker come to your school is a more academic way for students to experience other cultures and gain a sense of the world outside of Japan.

　

Guests can be anyone from local people who have been abroad, local resident aliens, ALTs, CIRs and other people who can add to a class activity or goal of a lesson.

　

Bringing in someone with first hand knowledge of a topic can help students better understand the general lesson plan associated with international understanding.

　

　　　　Steps for setting up a Guest speaker

　　　　1)Choose a lesson to be expanded on.

　　　　2)Find speakers to give a presentation.

　　　　　　　・Local International offices

　　　　　　　・Word of mouth

　　　　3)Meet with the presenter to finalize topic and presentation.

　　　　4)Prepare students for the presentation.

　　　　5)Have the presentation. Learn! Learn! Learn!

　

Study Abroad Programs

Study abroad programs are the most amazing way for students to grow and have an experience with another culture.

　

Though study abroad can be pricey, they are invaluable to the students in the end. The memories and personal growth experiences can change a student's view of the world, languages, culture, and their future.　The largest changes though can be found in themselves.

　

There are several types of study abroad programs.

-Personal study abroad　Student goes alone with a specific study goals

-Group study abroad　 A group goes together and participates in all activities together

-Language focused　 Programs geared toward specific language learning

-General education focused　 Programs geared toward language through general education

　

Students can choose which one fits their personal goals and educational purpose.

General search http://dir.yahoo.co.jp/Education/Programs/Study_Abroad/

Other places to look are international offices, and travel agencies. Some prefectures host programs through sister city/prefecture relations that are open to local residents.

　

Good luck preparing your plan for international understanding. All the work you put into a program will come back 10 fold in the adventures, experiences and growth that your students will have.

　

　

　

By Justin Dart

Kashimo-mura / Higashishirakawa-mura Board of Education ALT. 2000-2003

Kashimo International Exchange and Development Office

Co-founder of the InterEX Study Abroad Program.