2014年「英語集中合宿」English Summer Seminar 2014
2014/10/28
今年度の「英語集中合宿」は、9月12日から2泊3日の日程で、昨年と同様に群馬県草津のビレッジ・ホテルにて、アン・ヤング先生、杉長ジャッキー先生の指導により実施されました。
This year’s summer seminar was again held at the Village Hotel in Kusatsu, Gunma. Every year students from Komajo can choose to join a 3-day English programme. This is a very special opportunity for students to experience communicating only in English as well as making new friends.
Just about to get on the bus
We met on a sunny day mid-September and headed for Kusatsu at around 8:30am. We arrived at the hotel on time for lunch, which was tasty as usual. The curry was a favourite amongst the students. Then we unpacked, had a quick tour of the hotel, and to part in some English activities. We all introduced ourselves and got to know each other a bit better. Then, after dinner we went on the hotel’s free shuttle bus to ‘Yubatake’(湯畑), a small town whose main resource is hot spring water. There we took photos, chatted to some Japanese and foreign visitors, and bought souvenirs.
Yubatake hot spring area
The next day was special because the students became teachers and the teachers became students! Every year, as part of the summer seminar programme, all students are given an assignment to teach something in English. They can choose anything they want to teach as long as it’s practical and everyone can do it together. This year was really interesting! We learned how to make and use furoshiki (風呂敷) to wrap up books, a tissue box, and bottles of water. In addition, we learned how to play some Japanese games in English, we did a 10-minute gymnastics routine, and we learned many ways of how to use a dictionary. All in English!
Kaori’s beautiful furoshiki!
A Japanese game in English
Gymnastics with Jackie Sensei
The students also went on an exciting activity course which was supervised by an English speaking instructor. This was both challenging and fun and it was also very popular with other young people who were staying at the hotel. Even though everyone was afraid of heights, we all felt very proud to have completed the course and we would like to do it again in the future.
The activity course
The activity course
On the morning of the last day, the students made a photo presentation of the highlights of the programme at Kusatsu. They each choose three of their favorite photos, said why they choose them and described the scene. It was nice to see the different viewpoints of each student. Lastly, the students each gave a short video message. All said they really enjoyed the programme including the activities and would recommend it to everyone else.
Below you can read the comments. Also, before the seminar, we asked the girls to make a ‘wish list’ of what they wanted to accomplish from taking part in the seminar. Please listen to Kaori talk about her wish list at the end.
Anju
I took this summer seminar and I was looking forward to it but I at the same time I was very nervous. But everyone helped me. So, I thought I want to say thank you, to everyone. Thank you.
Momoka
I’m Momoka, it was fun for me to take part in the summer seminar. I could experience a lot of things. Everyone is very kind to me. I am not good at English. But everyone helped me. Even when I ate breakfast, I spoke English. And during the activities, I received some prizes – I was glad. Kaori and Anju are a lot of fun, and the hot springs was also very good. Yubatake is a beautiful area. The outdoor activity was scary, but it was fun. Thank you.
Kaori
Hope to see you there next year!
Department of International Culture
Jackie Suginaga
