Through the Looking Glass

Students today were met with a wonderful opportunity to learn from a guest lecturer today.  Dr. Lauren Bell  was kind enough to lend her time and expertise to us as she gave an insightful lecture on the Japanese political system. What students quickly noticed, however, is how much they were also learning and realizing about our own government here in the U.S.  Comparing U.S. and Japanese governments allowed our students to learn about different styles of government, how each government works, and why Japan's government is set up the way it is. If you are a teacher, you revel in seeing students' faces light up with the "wow" of deeper comprehension (I believe the modern lingo is, "My mind is being blown right now."). I can attest that I saw students in constant Wow-face for the entire hour, and more, as Dr. Bell graciously stayed late to answer the non-stop deluge of student questions in the chat room.

All of the students are so attentive and engaged! They already know about the new emperor and new era name!

Dr. Bell puts on her “Dean Hat” and holds an impromptu college admissions advice session.

Students also continued with their core Japanese lessons, and worked with their Chiri Project teams. Each class is learning something different, and students get to interact with each other in their small project groups. Students also had a chance to build closer bonds as they had lunch with their TAs between the second and third classes of the day.

The Hokkaido group is imitating the fierce メロンくま, the mascot for Yubari City!

From the Okinawa Regional Group

More progress on the self- introduction with すきです. 皆はすしとラーメンが好きだと言いました。

The advanced class is learning how to use transient verbs to describe different states of action.  We also learned how to express complex ideas such as contradicting prior assumptions by using ~というわけではない.

A full day of classes to fill up the minds of our next generation of international citizens. Speaking of the next generation, tomorrow the teachers will pass the torch to the Teaching Assistants for a day of interesting and fun Japanese culture!