Atsushi Kihara (Kyushu Sangyo University Affiliated Kyushu High School) and Ryoko Furukawa (Oki Gakuen High School), both first-year students in the Department of Japanese Faculty of International Studies of Culture Department of Japanese Culture who are enrolled in the Japanese language teacher training program, were selected to participate in an exchange program in the field of Japanese language education between Fukuoka Prefecture and Hanoi City. They visited Hanoi, Vietnam from September 13th (Sun) to 19th (Sat) to conduct teaching practice.
This project aims to further develop the friendly and cooperative relationship between Fukuoka Prefecture and Hanoi, Vietnam. It involves sending students studying Japanese language education at universities within the prefecture to Hanoi to promote exchanges between young people who will lead the next generation in both regions through Japanese language classes and cultural exchanges.
In Hanoi, I conducted Japanese language teaching practice at a high school, as well as teaching classes and engaging in cultural exchange activities to introduce Japanese culture. I also visited local Japanese language education institutions and interacted with Japanese language learners, deepening my understanding of the environment surrounding Japanese language education and the learning needs of the students. Through communication with the students, I was able to enhance my practical skills in Japanese language education and gain a valuable opportunity to deepen my understanding of different cultures.
Ms. Kihara said, "In this activity, I aimed to convey the charm of Japan to Vietnamese students and inspire them to think, 'I want to visit Japan' or 'I want to live in Japan' in the future. Through interactions such as meals and cultural experiences, we were able to deepen our understanding of each other's cultures and histories. Also, visiting local Japanese language education institutions made me realize the importance of Japanese language education once again. I want to use this experience to further my studies and become someone who can have a positive influence on my fellow students who are studying Japanese language education."
Furukawa reflected on her activities, saying, "Through my experiences interacting with people there, I realized that understanding different cultures means understanding and accepting the history and values of others. During my Japanese language teaching practicum, I focused on creating lessons that would make Vietnamese high school students feel that 'Japanese is fun,' and I was impressed that many students told me that they 'had fun.' Through my learning there, I reaffirmed the importance of Japanese language education, and it was a valuable experience that contributed to my own growth."
[Department of Japanese Culture]
