On December 5 and 12, 2016, a joint class was held for Japanese and international students. The participants were Japanese students from the TUA’s Training Center for Foreign Languages and Dictation, who attended either Advanced English Academic WritingⅡa instructed by Associate Professor Miwa Isobe, and international students from a Japanese language class by Project Lecturer Eriko Ishida.

The students formed mixed groups to enjoy conversations in English and Japanese. In the former half of the class, the international students made speeches in Japanese on their home countries and cities, tourist spots and local dishes. Many Japanese students asked questions and commented that they wanted to visit the places introduced by their international counterparts.

In the latter half of the class, the Japanese students made presentations in English. They talked about and made comments from their own unique perspectives on various topics related to Japanese culture in a broad sense such as washoku (Japanese cuisine), kimono (Japanese traditional dress), and the jacket that is offered for free to wrap the book purchased at a book store as well as children staying at home alone, going to school or shopping without an accompanying adult. The class gave the international students the valuable opportunity to ask questions directly to Japanese students.

The students were actively engaged in discussion and the time flashed so quickly. We hope that this joint class encouraged the participating students to expand the wave of exchange beyond the class room.