Wednesday, June 24

We met up early today to visit one of the finest high schools in Tokorozawa, a city west of central Tokyo. The school principal and vice principal treated us as special guests in the conference room. After brief self-introductions about ourselves and the school, the two important figures began to take questions from us ranging from the lack of technology used and the use of a high platform for teachers in Japanese classrooms.The open discussion soon ignited the brainstorming of educational ideas where the east meets the west.

Some of the classes we observed were Geography, P.E, English, Biology, Calligraphy and Art.

Guess who’s the most popular star of today? The two who got the chance to show their real talent in calligraphy! Thumb up for you two!

From left to right, the beautiful characters mean “rain” and “sky”.

Though, they did have help from an expert teacher!

Here goes lunch time! Way too delicious, as always.

After lunch, we headed to the teacher’s education centre where we got to know the outline of the education system in the city of Tokorozawa. The students from Waseda University also gave us a wonderful presentation centered around the development and problems of English education in Japan. Going off of that, Dr. Inoue led a deep reflection on how the urgency and openness of acquiring a new language pushes the forwardness of language education.

Before we consume more food for thought to take back home,  we literally need more food and drinks for our stomach after a tight schedule..

Come on, it’s time for the delayed Welcome Party!!!!

The game is on! A bit of adding to  the traditional paper-rock-scissor game rules and we rock the whole night! Simple but fun! Thanks Waseda students’ for your creativity!

 

 

Gifts exchanging. T-shirts from the Global Centre of USD and individual gifts from our own USD students.

 

 

 

Finally, a group photo.

All the happiness will be remembered after today..

So will the friendships.