English Course Open Class (July 12th)

Murasakino-Ritsumeikan Asian Pacific University VT Conferencing
and basic English class using iPod

July 12th, 2007 was the annual Video Teleconference between Murasakino High School and
Ritsumekan Asian Pacific University. 3rd grade Murasakino English course students, working
together in small groups, gave presentaions on various aspects of Japanese culture to the
assembled international students from Ritsumekan APU.

The Murasakino students had spent several weeks preparing for the teleconference, creating
powerpoint displays to accompany their presentations. The students chose a variety of topics
including Japanese sweets, rice and married life in Japan. Each group had an MC to introduce
the topic and presenters and each student presented a different feature of the topic. The
students then answered questions posed by the APU students.

The aim of the teleconference was to encourage an international attitude in the Murasakino
students and give them another opportunity to encounter cross-cultural exchange. The APU
students of course have experience of life in Japan and so were able to challenge the
Murasakino students with informed questions regarding Japanese culture. The Murasakino
students in turn gave knowledgeable answers and presentations, demonstrating their
preparation for the task.

Overall the teleconference was very successful. The APU students complimented the Murasakino
students on both their English ability and the hardwork that had evidently gone into the
presentations. Murasakino High School has previously had teleconferences with Ritsumekan
Asian Pacific University and it is always an excellent chance for students to practice
"reallife" English whilst engaging in cultural discussion.

On this day, this class was opened to some junior high school teachers. They observed the
VT conferencing and also an ordinary English class for English Course students after that.
In the English class, students are required to record their reading aloud voices in the
computer. They use the shadowing and oral interpretation technique to improve their
basic ability of English. By using computers, 'every' student needs to do this activity, and
this promotes their basic English ability. In Murasakino, English learning using iPod was
introduced this spring, and they practice reading aloud using iPod at home as homework.

Japanese