NihongoMaximize your exchange experience by learning

Japanese!

Prepared byPauline Smoke

CA 4-H Volunteer & 2008 Nihongo Chaperone

What is Nihongo?

Nihongo is the name for the Japanese language.

Labo’s Nihongo program is an exciting opportunity to learn Japanese during a homestay in the Tokyo area.

What does Nihongo involve?

A two-phase program.A 3 ½ to 4-week homestay in the Tokyo area during the first half of the program.A 4-week homestay with a second Japanese family somewhere in Japan during the second half of the program.

Participation in a hands-on, full immersion Japanese language curriculum, including many field trips.

Opportunities to build self-confidence by:Taking public transportation to daily classes.Buying lunch from local shops on class days.Exploring Tokyo with classmates after class.

Requirements for participation:Membership in 4-H*.

Age 14 – 18.

Interest in learning Japanese.

Commitment to spending 7 ½ to 8 weeks in Japan.

*Required to travel under the auspices of 4-H. However, classes may also include students from other organizations in partnership with Labo, Lex, or Utrek.

Includes Adult Supervision and Support

4-H chaperonesTravel with delegates, actively participate in Nihongo classes.

Host parentsProvide guidance outside of class hours.

Labo International Exchange Foundation staffAdminister Nihongo and the associated homestay.

Sensei (Nihongo instructors)Oversee instruction, provide class management.

WorldWise staffCoordinates travel arrangements, as well as interactions between 4-H and Labo, Lex, and Utrek.

Nihongo 2008:Overview

Members of “ ‘A’ Class” pose during their first field trip.

Photo courtesy of C

ooper Payne

Arrival and OrientationBelow: Delegates are met at the airport by Labo Program Coordinator and 4-H/Nihongo alumna.

Above: Box lunches en route to the Olympic Youth Center help introduce delegates to Japanese foods.

Right: Labo staffers Yoshi and Simon (standing) are on hand to assist jet-lagged delegates during orientation.

Transition to Japan: The Olympic Youth Center, Tokyo

Delegates begin and end the Nihongo portion of their exchange experience at the Olympic Youth Center in the heart of Tokyo.

The OYC was originally built to house athletes during the 1964 Summer Olympics. Now it is a popular site for conferences for both Japanese and international youth.

The Olympic Youth Center, TokyoContinued

Facilities at the OYC are basic, but comfortable.

Above: A typical single room. Delegates may also share rooms.

Above: Japanese-style bath in the dorm.

The Olympic Youth Center, TokyoContinued

The overnight stay at the OYC allows delegates, chaperones, and staff to get acquainted while adjusting to Japanese time.

Early risers chat in the lounge.

East meets West in the dining hall.

Waiting for breakfast tickets.

Preparing to ConnectLeft: Masa Hirano, Labo’sManaging Director greets delegates and host families on behalf of the Labo International Exchange Foundation.

RightRight: Delegates and host : Delegates and host families wonder who theyfamilies wonder who they’’ll be ll be matched with as they listen to matched with as they listen to welcoming remarks and welcoming remarks and participate in a final bit of participate in a final bit of orientation. orientation.

Adoption into Host Families

Many host families welcomed their new members with signs and gifts.

Photo courtesy of C

ooper Payne.

Nihongo ClassesWhen orientation day is wild and crazy, you know classes

are going to be fun!

Kasahara-sensei uses a wig to add a whimsical touch to a skitduring the Nihongo orientation.

Establishing Class Groups

“A” Class “B” Class

All Nihongo participants were tested on their prior knowledgeof Japanese during the first day of the program. Students are grouped with students with like skills. Both class were fun andchallenging.

Nihongo Classes:A Typical Progression

Above: After introducing new concepts and vocabulary, the teacher prepares students to use their new language skills during a neighborhood excursion.

Above: Students locate and map local landmarks*. *Students are always accompanied by an adult during field trips.

Right: Results are shared (in Japanese) with classmates.

Nihongo Classes:Varied Daily Learning Activities

Left: Practicing shodo (calligraphyusing Chinese characters).

Below, left: Using shopping termsat Office Depot.

Below, right: Walking to visit the Tokyo Metropolitan governmentoffices.

Major Class Excursions:Harajuku

Above: Learning tasks come first—attempting to complete kanji work-sheets by searching package labels.

Top right: Roll call before going to lunch in the food court.

Bottom right: After learning tasks arecomplete, everyone has time to shopand explore.

Major Class Excursions:Asakusa

Left: A giant sandal recalls the district’s shoe-making origins.

Right: Buying fortune slips at the Buddhist temple.

Right: Sticking together in the bazaar.

Left: The giant lantern at the entrance makes a perfect landmark and assembly point.

Major Class Excursions:Ghibli Museum or Tea Ceremony

Nihongo participants sign-up in advance to spend their second Friday at either the Ghibli Museum (a mecca for anime fans), or studying the tea ceremony with an expert instructor.

Iron Giant sculpture in the Ghibli Museum

garden.

Studying tea ceremonyprovides insights into Japanese culture.

Google image

Final Exams—Nihongo-style In addition to a written final exam, students are assessed on their ability to apply what they’ve learned. Working in small groups, they determine the location of an assigned landmark, then figure out how to get there via public transportation.

Having determined the location oftheir landmark, students buy tickets to the proper station.

This photo provided proof thatthe students had actually found

their assigned landmark.

Graduation!

Above: Students demonstrate their great strides in Japanese fluency by performing graduation skits.

Students pose proudly with their diplomas.

Beyond the Classroom:Commuting to School

Learning to commute from the suburbs to central Tokyo independently isa great confidence-builder for Nihongo students. Patient attention to signs(usually in Japanese and English) is the key to success.

A typical suburban station. System map

Prepaid fare card. The display inside train car.

Beyond the Classroom:Buying Daily Lunches

Managing a lunch budget provides practice in an Important life skill. The many restaurantsand convenience stores near Labo Center offer a variety of choices within the $6-8/day students are encouraged to budget for lunch.

Google image.

Above: A $6 lunch from McDonald’s (notice the small portions).

Above: A typical Japanese lunch for about the same price.

Left: Japanese convenience stores offer a wide variety of fresh, tasty, low-cost meals.

Beyond the Classroom:Exploring Tokyo

With advance permission from their host parents, students may explore the Tokyo area on their way home from daily classes.

Left to right: Mass transit makes it easy for teens to get around. An adventurous snack. Anime-inspired fashion from the Harajuku district.

Helpful Hints:Preparing for Personal Encounters

Have a few of your “business” cards readily available as you travel.Each chaperone may want to collect a card from each delegate at the airport.

While in Japan, always keep one or two token gifts with you.Example: A state quarter in a small pouch or envelope.Great for thanking locals who come to your rescue when you’re lost or confused.

Helpful Hints:Organization

Consider buying a binder and business card holder after arriving in Japan.This will ensure proper fit for Japanese materials (slightly larger than their American equivalents ).They are readily available in “100 yen”stores (similar to U.S. dollar stores.)

Helpful HintsBudgeting

Remember to budget for:Postage for cards and letters to friends back home.Purchasing the perishable ingredients you’ll need when cooking a meal for your host family.Possible shipping charges for extra bags.

Resist the temptation to eat at McDonald’s everyday.You’ll get more food for your money if you dine like a local.

A Final Thought

Nihongo should be an adventure. If you never feel uncomfortable or confused, you’re not getting the most out of this amazing opportunity!