Diploma awarding ceremony was held for those who had been studying AIRA’s Japanese language teaching method for 20 days since September 20, 2016.

Date/time: Tuesday, March 14, 2017 2:00pm-4:20pm

Venue: Chuo Gakuin University, Room 644 (6th Bldg.)

Participants: 12 Students (3 others were absent), Ms. M. Saito, instructor of “Intercult” (Intercultural Institute of Japan), 5 AIRA members: 18 in total

The seminar was planned to nurture promising new teachers at the AIRA Japanese language course, one of the international activities entrusted by the city. After an opening speech by Mr. K. Beppu, senior manager of the Study and Culture Department, Mr. H, Sato, AIRA President, encouraged the trainees with the words “I wish you would do your best at teaching employing what you have learned at this class.”Then he handed certificate of completion to the 12 students, who received it with smile and pleasure.

On behalf of the Intercult, Ms. Saito gave a summing-up of the class as follows.

“Just like playing catch, teach students calmly considering their state of mind.” A message of an absent teacher Ms. Fukada was read out, “I wish you would pile up your teaching experience utilizing your ample world of life.” Representing all students, Ms. Kazu Saito expressed her thanks “I have come to understand that I should explain them what they want to know in plain language mentioning some examples.”

Then Ms. Osaki, one of senior volunteer teachers, briefed about AIRA’s Japanese language course, using a projected screen, of the Tuesday and Saturday classes referring to common matters such as number of students, nationality, male/female, volunteer teachers, features of the respective class, and regular duties involved. A proper explanation was given to a question on teaching materials used in the class. Answering to inquiries by students, further explanations made them thoroughly understood about how to teach, curriculum, and other requirements in the actual teaching class.  (No. 16-36 Translated by T. Sugano)