Takao Yamamoto, teacher of Nitobe Bunka Junior High School
“Cultivate a sense of ownership through international exchange classes that 'get there' without teaching SDGs”

Web page: https://www.sentankyo.jp/articles/0627e7e3-8208-4e8f-b0e1-3c92622214f3

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Have a purpose to learn English other than the test

This class was made possible through collaboration between Nitobe Bunka Junior High School English teacher Takao Yamamoto (Assistant Principal) and the educational venture company With The World. “About five years ago, I felt the potential of online international exchange classes that could create a place for real communication in the classroom. I got acquainted with the president, Shunta, and sympathized with the concept.I especially thought it was wonderful that it would connect children of the same generation." (Mr. Yamamoto)

With The World, established in 2018, aims to spread online international exchange classes, and supports schools in a wide range of ways, from developing overseas partner schools to program development, class management, and grade support.Currently, we have partnered schools in about 30 countries overseas, and in addition to Nitobe Bunka Junior High School, we are conducting international exchange classes at Kwansei Gakuin High School and Kaetsu Ariake Junior High School and Senior High School.

“There are many cases where we create an environment where foreign classmates are in the same classroom and work together on PBL (problem-based learning). In the class, mixed teams of 2018 to XNUMX people were formed and worked on social issue themes in line with the SDGs such as "food loss" and "decline of traditional crafts".After discussions, ideas were embodied and presented. We also commercialized ideas and conducted overseas on-the-job training during the summer vacation.” (Mr. Igarashi)

In the 2019 academic year, Nitobe Bunka Junior High School jointly developed a program with With The World, and held remote classes with XNUMXst grade junior high school students and Filipino children.It was held at a pace of about once a month, and in the final session, we conveyed the goals of the SDGs that interest us and the reasons for them in speeches.

Mr. Yamamoto says, "Just because you've taken an international exchange class doesn't mean you'll improve your English all at once." “What is more valuable is that regular international exchange classes give students a purpose to learn English outside of tests. We can rethink how we learn.”

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https://www.sentankyo.jp/articles/0627e7e3-8208-4e8f-b0e1-3c92622214f3

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