‘Participation & Contribution’ to the Elementary School Project “English Classes through Sport”, in Inashiki-city

GSI-TAIIKU: Celebrating TAIIKU ALUMNI & MIRACLES (‘Meaningful InteRACtions Learning Elementary School’) with the TIAS2.0 International Students (ARIGATOO): ‘Participation & Contribution’ to the Elementary School Project “English Classes through Sport”, in Inashiki-city. With ex-TAIIKU Alumni, Koichiro Doihata (一般社団法人スポーツプロモーションいばらき – Sports Promotion Ibaraki General Incorporated Association) and the Inashiki City Board of Education and Schools, expressed thanks for the value brought by the international students.

Thank you too, Sensei, Atsumi Shigematsu (SHIGE; Guest Lecturer, GGEC program, TIAS2.0), Society for Investing in Practical Communication Learning and Mentoring by INSPIRING COMMUNICATIONS (“MAGIC” = a SPACE & TIME, where we create CCC (Chances, Connections, and Choices for Enhanced Learning and Social Contribution) (and also International Sports Leadership Academy – ISLA).

Some Impressions –
Adel= “If I have to choose one thing that I learned from this experience, it would be the team spirit and the cohesion that sport can create. During the sports activities, the kids supported each other by saying things like “don’t give up” and other English words. During lunch, they also helped each other to set the tables, serve the food, and clean everything after eating.
Aseel= “This experience helped me better understand that the values of discipline, respect, and teamwork are taught from an early age. A seed that needs to be taken care of.”
David= “Participating in the English Classes through Sport project with the 5th grade elementary school students was a very meaningful experience for me as an international student; it allowed me to reconnect with children again after 5 months of leaving my home country, Rwanda, to come to Japan for my studies. In Rwanda, I used to work closely with children in sports as a karate coach in a sports academy and school programs, where I also coordinated youth sports training programs. Because of this background, I was able to observe and learn many useful things that I can take back home.”
Farida= “Overall, it was a ‘once in a lifetime’ occasion to play with the kids while teaching them basic English. I also liked learning and playing a new sport. Most importantly, I believe cultural exchange is very important for children because it introduces them to the outer world and a new language.”
Maryam= “It was very useful for me in several ways. Specifically, spending time with the children and communicating with them. I also had the chance to observe the education system, from the design and layout of the schools to the rules and educational culture. In addition, I saw their culture and the way they eat food.”
Sachin= “The project gave an amazing opportunity to witness the school education system of Japan, along with interacting with the students. Being from India, the kind of school infrastructure, the basic standards, along with the sports facilities provided to students by the local authorities, were quite impressive. The importance given to sports in the overall personality development of children.”
Valeh= “I was really impressed by how nicely students could communicate with me and other foreigners while doing exercise and having lunch.”

6th Batch Graduate Students, Prof. Randeep RAKWAL