JAPANESE ZOOM SESSION
Making Friends in Japan
In Week 2, John Therry Catholic College (JTCC) Japanese students from all year groups had the unique opportunity to connect with Japanese high school students through a series of Zoom sessions. These Japanese students, participating in a summer language program, were eager to practice their English skills with our students.
The sessions were a wonderful exchange of culture and language. Our students answered questions in English and then took the opportunity to ask some of their own in both Japanese and English. This interactive experience not only allowed our students to practice their Japanese but also highlighted their role as outstanding ambassadors for both John Therry and Australia.
We were delighted to receive a note of thanks from our friends in Hidaka, Japan, which included the following heartfelt sentiments:
"Your dedication to your students and your enthusiasm for Japan and intercultural exchange were evident throughout the process, and it was truly inspiring to see the genuine connections and cultural exchanges that took place. The opportunity for our students to engage with their peers from Australia has enriched their education, desire to study English, broadened their global perspectives, and hopefully has made them feel part of a global community, where the world is maybe a little bit smaller than what they originally thought."
The letter further emphasized the importance of such programs, stating, "We believe that programs such as these are invaluable in developing open-mindedness, a more global perspective, and instilling an interest in language and intercultural connectedness, and we are grateful for your involvement in making our goals a reality. We hope to continue this collaboration in the future and look forward to exploring more opportunities with you."
The connection made during these sessions is a testament to the power of language learning and the friendships that can form across borders.
