Special Class “Calligraphy” for Japanese Language Students
Date & Time: Saturday, March 12, 2016 10:30 a.m.-2:00 p.m.
Venue: Room 2, Abista
Participants: 26 in total (9 students and 17 teachers)
AIRA Japanese Language Class is held every Tuesday and Saturday. The students learn from volunteer teachers in groups according to their level. In the last class of the school year the Saturday Class students experienced Japanese calligraphy. Following the ordinary lesson in each group, today’s special class was held with all the students and the teachers. After self-introduction in a relaxed atmosphere enjoying some sweets, the “Calligraphy” class started.
Japanese Language Students Learn How to Separate Garbage
Date & Time: Tuesday, March 8, 2016 10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Venue: Abiko Civic Plaza Hall
Participants: 47 in total (24 students and 23 teachers)
In the AIRA Japanese Language Class, students usually learn in groups according to their levels. On the second last day of the school year 2015 all the Tuesday Class students and teachers learned together about waste disposal, which is an essential issue for those who live in the community. They learned how to sort garbage as well as vocabulary regarding waste disposal.
One-Day Late Hina Matsuri
Time and Date: Friday, March 4, 2016 3:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Venue: Room 1, Abiko Civic Plaza
Participants: 10 adults and 3 children, 7 AIRA staff members
As part of “Culture Class for Foreigners”, a party titled “Let’s Cook and Eat Hina Matsuri Cuisine” was held and people from South Asian and other countries, 13 in total, enjoyed chatting, cooking and eating. Hina Maturi is a Japanese traditional girls’ festival which is held on March 3. People display Hina-dolls and enjoy special cuisine in households.
Guest Teachers Visit International Exchange Class At Namiki Elementary School
Date and Time: Tuesday, February 9 1 p.m.- 3:50 p.m.
Venue: Gymnasium at Namiki Elementary School
Participants: *70 fifth graders at Namiki Elementary School *13 guests from 10 countries ( Ms. Zhang Hua and Chao Nan from China, Mr. Luigi Hiratsuka from Brazil, Ms. Insho Yamanaka from Malaysia, Ms. Naricha Ouchi from Thailand, Ms. Leticia Pajaret Ignacio and Ms. Jacqueline Teresa P. Bularin from The Philippines, Ms. Cheeping Tsuoka from New Zealand, Ms. Ayu Putri Nuradi and Ms. Liem Tjoe Lan from Indonesia, Ms. Agnieszka Sekiguchi from Poland, Mr. Manase Forau from Tonga and Mr. Nguyen Dang Duy from Vietnam) *6 AIRA Staff members (Ms. Kitajima, Mr. Hesaki, Ms. Adachi, Ms. Ikeda, Mr. Satake and Ms. Yamaguchi) *2 NEC Staff members
AIRA sent 13 guest teachers to Namiki Elementary School to help the international exchange class, in which fifth graders learned foreign cultures through communications in English with them.
Contribution to the Yamashina Institute for Ornithology
Date: January 20, 2016
Venue: Yamashina Institute for Ornithology in Abiko City
Ms F. Kitajima and Mr. K. Murakoshi, both vice president of AIRA, on January 20 handed a modest contribution to Mr. M. Hojo, chief administrator in the Yamashina Institute for Ornithology. The amount was composed of proceeds of Ahodori Manju, albatross-branded sweets sold at the 24th AIRA Matsuri, together with voluntary subscription by AIRA members. AIRA has been donating certain amount of money to the institute in support of their far-reaching project to protect sharply decreasing albatrosses.