April 13, 2016：In line with the aim to disseminate among the people the spirit of importance of the state policy “The national nurture program for children and youths”, Japanese government selectively commends “The Child and Youth Emblem” for private organizations who have been continuously making efforts to meet the program.
Date/time: Wednesday, April 13, 2016 4p.m. - 4:30p.m.
Venue: Mayor’s guest room
Attendant from city: Mr. J. Hoshino, Mayor; Mr. A. Aoki, Deputy Mayor; Mr. T. Kurabe, Chief of Board of Education Attendant from AIRA: Mr. T. Sugano, President; Ms. F. Kitajima, Deputy President; 3 volunteer teachers: Ms N. Adachi, Ms M. Hasebe, Ms Y. Watanabe
It is honorable for us that this year AIRA is nominated and given the Emblem for being commended its continuous cooperative activity, “Volunteer Teachers Dispatch program to teach Japanese language for foreign children at school.”
The said program has been conducted for nine years since 2008, with the purpose to teach Japanese language at elementary and junior high schools for foreign students and returnee students who are suffering from understanding Japanese in the class. For this purpose AIRA has been keeping up close contact with the Board of Education for effective achievement of the program.
Mr. J. Hoshino, Mayor of Abiko, added words in the emblem award ceremony, saying, “The emblem is given to AIRA by the government with regard to the efforts displayed to teaching school children for long time. Volunteer teachers have been giving remarkable impression to children at their first encounter, giving a good image of the city as well, which will be definitely unified with world peace. I hope AIRA to continue to support children and young people through this program.” Three volunteer teachers attended the ceremony commented on pleasure for award and episodes of worries and hardships in teaching as follows.
1. Cooperation given by the Board of Education and schools concerned are quite supportive.
2. Worked hard to devise an original textbook, apart from school books, for easier understanding,
3. Paid special attention to teach them by altering teaching method according to their age, requirement and environment considering their religion, family, and grade in school.
4. Particularly paid extra attention to the one who was studying hard for a high school entrance examination. (She was happy to hear later that the student had passed the exam)
5. Sometimes taught Japanese culture and customs to assist them for actual understanding related matters.
One teacher disclosed that though some foreign students confided their own worries that were hard to be solved, she could do nothing but to listen to their words. Such an attitude to sincerely listen to students’ voices as a person in society, even though unable to be solved, embodies the purpose of “support for nurturing children” as aimed in the spirit of the Child and Youth Support Emblem. These deep comments of the volunteer teachers hit the writer’s heart.
AIRA is now recruiting fresh and young people who have interest in volunteer works including teaching foreign people with certain conditions. For further information please contact the AIRA office at 04-7183-1231 or visit the office any day except on Thursdays. (No. 16-2 Translated by T. Sugano)
