JAPN 301-SL: Advanced Japanese Service Learning
Course Reflective Narrative:
The course Advanced Japanese Service Learning taught us about the importance of intercultural understanding and awareness, particularly in schools and among children. During class we learned of various issues associated with how second language and culture is taught, some of the measures being taken towards solving those issues, and how we can help as students studying Japanese language and culture.
The other half of this course involved volunteering at a local elementary school, teaching the children about Japanese language and culture. We worked in groups of 4 or 5 students to create lesson plans for teaching the children aspects of Japanese language and culture we felt most were important. I worked in a group with three Japanese exchange students and one other American student. We met every Monday to decide what we wanted to teach that week and created a lesson plan to do so. We went to King elementary in Seaside once the following Thursday and taught a group of 12 to 15 4th and 5th graders. We covered topics such as some basic Japanese words and phrases; how to write Japanese hiragana; we talked about how Japanese animation reflects Japanese culture; we introduced Japanese onigiri and how to make them; and more.
This experience taught me more about how the U.S. is lacking in teaching foreign language, but it taught me so much more than that. I learned how to create effective plans, various techniques to teach the children, and the importance of people willing and able to take part in children’s growth and education.
The course Advanced Japanese Service Learning taught us about the importance of intercultural understanding and awareness, particularly in schools and among children. During class we learned of various issues associated with how second language and culture is taught, some of the measures being taken towards solving those issues, and how we can help as students studying Japanese language and culture.
The other half of this course involved volunteering at a local elementary school, teaching the children about Japanese language and culture. We worked in groups of 4 or 5 students to create lesson plans for teaching the children aspects of Japanese language and culture we felt most were important. I worked in a group with three Japanese exchange students and one other American student. We met every Monday to decide what we wanted to teach that week and created a lesson plan to do so. We went to King elementary in Seaside once the following Thursday and taught a group of 12 to 15 4th and 5th graders. We covered topics such as some basic Japanese words and phrases; how to write Japanese hiragana; we talked about how Japanese animation reflects Japanese culture; we introduced Japanese onigiri and how to make them; and more.
This experience taught me more about how the U.S. is lacking in teaching foreign language, but it taught me so much more than that. I learned how to create effective plans, various techniques to teach the children, and the importance of people willing and able to take part in children’s growth and education.
Evidence:
japn_301sl_final_presentation.pdf | |
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