Junior high-school students in Japan and in New Zealand attended an online class, which is expected to be one method for international exchange under COVID-19. (No.22-11)
Date & Time: Monday, October 31st, 2022 9:25～10:00
Schools:
Hakusan Junior High School (Abiko City, 29 third-year students)
Mount Albert Grammar School (Auckland City, New Zealand)
Persons in charge (teachers):
Mr. ISHIKAWA Ryoichi from Hakusan Junior High School
Ms. Reina Mollgaard from Mount Albert Grammar School
This is the second online joint class between the two schools following the one held on July 6th, 2022. There was a plan for Mount Albert students to visit Japan in the spring of 2020 in order to promote international exchange with Hakusan students through homestay in Abiko. However, it was suspended due to the wide spreading of the new coronavirus infection in Japan.
Since last year “online classes” had been studied, and it was decided to hold classes in July and in October this year.
The students of Mount Albert are studying Japanese. For Hakusan students, who gathered in the gym, this online class was held as part of an English lesson.
The students of both schools were divided into six groups each, with two or three tablet computers in each group. The Hakusan students spoke in English and Mount Albert students spoke in Japanese.
They had a free conversation, talking about what they were interested in or concerned about, such as hobbies, foods, friends, how they spend their free time, etc.
Some of them appeared a little nervous when they made self-introductions, but soon after they became relaxed. As for the matters which were difficult to explain, they showed videos on the smart phones. Also, regarding Sumo, Judo and Aikido, the Hakusan students demonstrated how to do them. The Mount Albert students were excited to see the demonstrations, saying “Good! Good!”
It was a short time, but the interests of the students of the same generation were similar and they enjoyed talking with each other. Young people broaden their horizons by recognizing different cultures, habits and ways of thinking through cultural exchange.
By the way, the principal of Hakusan JHS had requested AIRA to help them exchange with a foreign school. As a result of discussion at the Department of Cross-Cultural Activities of AIRA, it was determined to propose an exchange with the New Zealand students whose visit to Japan had been cancelled before. AIRA contacted Ms.Reina Mollgaard, a teacher at Mount Albert GS, and the online class was realized this time.
(translated by NAKAJIMA Katsumi)
