A Cultural and Educational Experience for Grade 10 High School Students

In the Capital Region and Red Deer, ,

Held on November 4 and 5, 2014

Prepared by the Explore Japan 2014 Steering Committee

Edmonton Japanese Community Association – Culture Programs Consulate General of Japan in Institute for Innovation in Second Language Education at Public Schools Alberta Education Alberta Japanese Teachers Association

December 5, 2014

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1. Program Objective - What is the “Explore Japan”? The program provides an opportunity for Grade 10 students in the Capital Region and Red Deer to explore Japanese culture at first hand. Through a variety of activities facilitated by Japanese community members, the program will enhance the understanding of Japanese culture by the youth and promote friendship between Japan and Canada. High school Japanese programs will greatly benefit by participating in the event.

Teachers of the attending schools recognized the following values: - It delivered Japanese culture experience to many students. - The structure (collaboration of Japanese Government, Edmonton Japanese Community Association (EJCA), Alberta Japanese Teachers Association (AJTA), Japan Foundation, Alberta Education, Institute for Innovation in Second Language Education at Edmonton Public Schools (iisle), and ) could be a model for other cultural education. - It would require a lot of effort to bring in culture activities to a high school if it is done individually.

2. Background Edmonton Japanese Community Association (EJCA) has been promoting Japanese culture and language in the Edmonton area. Since 2002, it has been providing the “Japan Today” program to junior high schools as a Grade 8 Social module supplement. In May 2010, EJCA Culture Programs Committee received an inquiry from the Alberta Japanese Teachers Association (AJTA) if cultural presentation to Grade 10 students who would start studying Japanese Language and Culture in September could be organized by EJCA.

The first “Explore Japan” was held on October 26, 2010, with 185 students from 5 high schools attended. The feedback from students and teachers indicated that the Explore Japan was a valuable program for students learning Japanese language at high school.

In 2011, Explore Japan 2011 was held on November 1 and 2. There were 9 high schools with over 300 students attended. The contents of the program were similar to 2010. As the numbers of schools and students were doubled, the same program was offered 2 days.

With very positive feedbacks received from students and teachers, the educational value of Explore Japan was confirmed. Explore Japan 2012 was on November 6 and 7, 2012. Explore Japan 2013 was on November 5 and 6, 2013. This year, Explore Japan 2014 was held on November 4 and 5, 2014.

2 3. Steering Committee The Steering committee members were selected and the first meeting was held on May 15, 2014. Sanae Ohki (Chair) Edmonton Japanese Community Association, Culture Programs Director Yukimi Kurata Consulate General of Japan in Calgary, Consul Mami Saito Alberta Education / Japan Foundation Melody Kostiuk Institute for Innovation in Second Language Education at Edmonton Public Schools, Consultant Mieko Ito-Fedrau Alberta Japanese Teachers Association, Harry Ainlay High School Yukiko Cooke Alberta Japanese Teachers Association, Paul Kane High School David Mitsui Edmonton Japanese Community Association, President

4. Project Organization Structure

5. Program Organizations 1. Consulate General of Japan in Calgary 2. Edmonton Japanese Community Association (EJCA) 3. Alberta Education 4. Institute for Innovation in Second Language Education (iisle) 5. Alberta Japanese Teachers Association (AJTA) 6. University of Alberta (Prince Takamado Japan Centre for Teaching and Research) 7. Japan Foundation

6. Date/time: Tuesday, November 4, 9:30 – 3:30, and Wednesday, November 5, 8:45 – 2:30

7. Representatives from program organizations and guests  The Consul Yukimi Kurata attended the event on November 4 and welcomed students. 3  Mr. Darrel Robertson, superintendent of the Edmonton Public School Board, attended the event on November 5 and welcomed students.  Other guests attended the events were: Ms. Magda Tundak: International Language Consultant, Edmonton Catholic School District Mr. Yanick Jean-Proulx: Harry Ainlay High School, Assistant Principal Ms. Marnie Beaudoin, President, Second Language and Intercultural Council

8. News Release to Media A news release was sent to media in Edmonton areas. Edmonton Journal and City TV came on November 4, 2014. City TV aired a program on November 5.

9. Student registration form Student registration forms were sent to high schools in mid-September. Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy (FOIP) was included in a registration form. Students who did not approve the use of their pictures in public were identified by a red mark on their nametags and also they wore Japanese happi coats for identification during the event.

10. Schools, students, teachers, and chaperone registered Student Actual Name of School Area Teacher registration Attendance

1 Harry Ainlay Edmonton Mieko Ito-Fedrau 86 69 4 2 Lindsay Thurber Red Deer Miriam Irons 67 66 Nov. Nov. Sub total 153 135 1 Memorial Stony Plain Erika Oshiki 33 29 2 Jasper Place Edmonton Emma Crossley 64 52

5 3 Louis St. Laurent Edmonton Chayne Barnaby 16 16

Nov. Nov. 4 Spruce Grove Corbin Musselman 17 18 5 Paul Kane St. Albert Yukiko Cooke 34 32 Subtotal 164 147 Total 317 282

11. Program Details a. In the homeroom When students arrived at the facility, a guide took them to a homeroom where teachers/guides distributed nametags to students and explained the schedule and how the students were supposed to behave during the events. Students had lunch and waited for buses after the program in own homerooms.

4 b. In the hall with all students together (i) Opening session – Welcome by Yoko Azumaya, Vice President, EJCA (November 4) - Welcome by Mr. Darrel Robertson, superintendent of the Edmonton Public School Board (November 5) - Japanese Drum (Taiko) presentation by Kita no Taiko (Both days)

Welcome by Mr. Darrel Robertson Taiko Presentation

Welcome (ii) After lunch session - Welcome by Consul Yukimi Kurata (November 4) - Wakaba-kai Dance Club presented traditional Japanese dances. Students observed specific movements in the dance that indicated specific meanings. (Both days)

Consul Yukimi Kurata Wakaba-kai Japanese Dance (iii) Closing session – When all session ended, all students got together in the hall. Then, winners for the Manga contests were announced and gifts were presented. Ms. Mieko Fedrau, Harry Ainlay High School teacher, and Mr. Corbin Mussleman, Spruce Grove High School teacher, closed the event by encouraging students for Japanese language learning.

5 Manga contest winners:

c. In the classrooms and the hall (i) Exchange programs (40 minutes, room #9) by Catherine Ford A third year University of Alberta student who was in Japan for six months as an exchange student told her experience in Japan using slide pictures. She talked about modern Japan, technology, life styles, particularly of young people, and how she started learning Japanese and she suggested how to continue study. She introduced information about various exchange programs.

(ii) Tea ceremony (40 minutes, room #11) Presentation by Chris Booth and Mineko Koto, assisted by Yoriko Nagata. The room was prepared in the tearoom settings. Before students entered the room, they were introduced to tea ceremony by admiring a flower arrangement prepared in front of the room. First, demonstration of tea ceremony was held. Then, students enjoyed Japanese sweets and tea. 6

(iii) Calligraphy 1 (40 minutes, room #4) and Calligraphy 2 (40 minutes, room #2) Presentation by Keiko Oba and Akiko Ogata, assisted by Fukuko Gordon and Junko Froment. Because calligraphy activities required extra assistance and a large space, two calligraphy rooms were prepared. Each room had a maximum of 18 students. After students appreciated professional calligraphies displayed on the wall, the presenters explained calligraphy and tools. Students practiced a few kanji using samples and made one good copy. When there was enough time, students made their own name cards written in Japanese. Key behaviors for calligraphy were to maintain a calm mind and concentrate on brush strokes (hence, no talking unless there were questions). Students used black ink that could be easily spilled on to the floor unless they concentrated on writing with a brush. The carpets were covered by plastic sheets to prevent ink stains.

(iv) Kimono (20 minutes, room #7) and Anime Workshop (20 minutes, room #5) Kimono presentation by Emiko Kinoshita, assisted by Sachiko Motoda, Naomi Leroy, Cheng Yann Beh. Anime by Gigi Lau. Half of the students wore Yukata (casual summer Kimono) while the other half experienced Anime drawing. After 20 minutes, they switched. After an introduction of Japanese Kimono, a presenter showed them how to wear yukata. One corner of the room was set with a wedding kimono and a wisteria tree for photo shooting. Students took individual and group pictures.

At the anime workshop, the instructor showed several samples of her anime drawings 7 and showed how to draw facial expressions. Then, students drew own character that expressed “Kanashii (sad)”. Drawings were entered to the contest (optional).

(v) Karate and Taiko workshop (80 minutes, Hall) Taiko presentation by Carley Okamura, Omar Amer, Ryan Dumas, Zavian Sildra, and Yuki Isaka. Karate presentation by John Priegert, Tracy Apoll, and Ktheryn Salter.

Two groups took one session together (about 60 students) in the hall. The first 40 minutes was a Japanese drum (Taiko) workshop. Presenters explained about Taiko, then, demonstrated key techniques. All students had turns for drumming a Taiko. The Karate workshop followed Taiko. Again, instructors guided students into the “Karate world.” Both Taiko and Karate demonstrated the Japanese way of behavior, i.e. politeness, concentration, and respect. Students were introduced to these values while they enjoyed practicing Taiko and Karate.

12. Expenditures and Funding source Grants Consulate-General $ 4,416.00 Alberta Education $ 900.00 EJCA $ 546.83 Sub total $ 5,862.83 Honorarium for instructors, Expenditure $ 4,710.00 Taiko and Karate Lunch (instructors, assistants, guides and coordinators), teaching materials, transportation & others $ 1,152.83 Sub total $ 5,862.83

8 13. Providers of equipment and office/other supplies (No cost was charged to the project) EJCA:  Tea ceremony equipment and furniture, flower arrangement equipment, calligraphy equipment, calligraphy samples, 36 Kimono sets (Yukata, footwear, sash, belts, and bins), mirrors, wisteria tree, wedding gown and Kimono, Kimono display stands, and Happi coats.  Transportation of the above equipment between the EJCA Centre and iisle.  Prizes for the manga contest iisle:  Facility, furniture, PC and monitor screen, and room signage  Students water stations, presenters tea & coffee  Set up of rooms with furniture  General custodian services  Technology assistance  Security of facility during the event. Alberta Education:  300 lanyards for nametags and preparation/printing of nametags  Copies of meeting agenda/minutes, blank paper, and envelops  Copies of schedules.  Gifts and gift bags to teachers Japan Foundation  Gifts and information for students, teachers and presenters. MacEwan University Animethon  Prizes for the manga contest

14. Facility Information The Institute of Innovation in Second Language Education (iisle) at Woodcroft School, 13750 Woodcroft Avenue, Edmonton Following diagram shows rooms used for the event.

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15. Students’ Handbook A students’ handbook was prepared in advance with the following materials. Softcopies were distributed to all teachers so that it was used at the Japanese language classes for preparation in attending the event.  Introduction of key Japanese values such as attentiveness, quietness, cleanliness/tidiness, and harmony.  Japanese language list to be used by instructors and students.  Background information of all sessions.

16. Teachers’ Handbook A teachers’ handbook was prepared. It included:  Purpose of the Explore Japan 2014  Layout of the facility in details  Introduction of key Japanese values such as attentiveness, quietness, cleanliness/tidiness, and harmony.  Japanese expressions to be used by instructors and students.  General information  Issues and risks control  Request of feedback  Attending schools  Introduction of students nametags  Schedule of each day  Introduction of activities (programs)

17. Guides A guide was assigned to each school/group. The roles of a guide were:  To confirm the students/teachers of a school have nametags and aware of the schedule  To greet when they arrived and when they leave  To lead students to homeroom and classrooms of all sessions  To assist presenters and teachers when needed.  To speak to students with easy Japanese language. A guide information package was prepared. Guides: Hideji Ono, Kyoko Watanabe, Naoko Kerr, Sawako Inagaki, Takashi Ohki, Tatsuhiro Matsunouchi, Toshie Schultz, Yuri Nakano,

10 18. Gift bags to schools Various items donated by the sponsors were distributed to schools as gifts and information so that teachers could use the gifts at Japanese classes as background information. Donors and donated items were: a. Each student (i) From Japan Foundation  Clear plastic sleeves with design of Hiragana and Katakana list  JLPT Bulletin  Flyer of “Erin’s Challenge” (E-learning website)  Flyer of “Japanese in Anime and Manga” (E-learning website) (ii) From EJCA  Taiko Clubs information sheet

b. Each teacher (i) From Japan Foundation  2015-2016 The Japan Foundation Program Guidelines  2014 The Japan Foundation Toronto Local Grant Program Instructions  Clear plastic sleeves with design of Hiragana and Katakana list  Nihongo e na (Portal for learning Japanese)  Erin’s Challenge! I can speak Japanese (DVD learning materials)  Erin’s Challenge! I can speak Japanese (E-learning website)  Japanese in Anime & Manga (E-learning website)  Minna no kyozai (Resources for teaching materials)  Marugoto+  JLPT Bulletin  JLPT Test Guide  Welcome to The Japan Foundation, Toronto  Library Guide  Bookmark  Pen (ii) From Alberta Education  USB memory stick  Screen cleaner  Bookmark  Friendship pin

c. Gift to presenters and guides (i) From Japan Foundation  Clear plastic sleeves with design of Hiragana and Katakana list 11  Flyer of “Erin’s Challenge” (E-learning website)  Flyer of “Japanese in Anime and Manga” (E-learning website)  JLPT Bulletin  JLPT Test Guide  Marugoto+  Library Guide  Bookmark  Pen (ii) From Alberta Education  Friendship pin

19. Schedule by School Note: Because of school bus schedules, Jasper Place High School arrived late on November 5 and missed the opening session. Jasper Place High School and Memorial High School left at 2:00 pm on November 5 and missed a part of Karate session and Manga/Kimono session, and the closing session.

November 4, 2014

Harry Ainlay 1 Harry Ainlay 2 Lindsay Thurber 1 Lindsay Thurber 2 Harry Ainlay 3 Linsay Thurber 3 Homeroom Homeroom Homeroom Homeroom Homeroom Homeroom 9:20-9:30 Hall Hall Room 9 Room 4 Hall Room 2

9:30-9:45 Opening: all students together at the Hall - welcome message and Taiko Demo

Kimono Room 5 Calligraphy Exchange Programs Tea Ceremony 9:50-10:30 Karate and Taiko Karate and Taiko Manga Room 7 Room 2, 4 Room 9 Room 11 Hall Hall Calligraphy Kimono Room 5 Tea Ceremony Exchange Programs 10:35-11:15 Room 2, 4 Manga Room 7 Room 11 Room 9 Lunch Lunch Lunch Lunch Lunch Lunch 11:15-11:50 Hall Hall Room 9 Room 4 Hall Room 2 11:50-12:10 Noon hour - message from the Office of the Consulate General and Japanese Dance Exchange Programs Tea Ceremony Calligraphy Kimono Room 5 12:15-12:55 Room 9 Room 11 Karate and Taiko Karate and Taiko Room 2, 4 Manga Room 7 Tea Ceremony Exchange Programs Hall Hall Kimono Room 5 Calligraphy 13:00-13:40 Room 11 Room 9 Manga Room 7 Room 2, 4 Calligraphy Kimono Room 5 Exchange Programs Tea Ceremony 13:45-14:25 Room 2, 4 Manga Room 7 Room 9 Room 11 Karate and Taiko Karate and Taiko Kimono Room 5 Calligraphy Tea Ceremony Exchange Programs Hall Hall 14:30-15:10 Manga Room 7 Room 2, 4 Room 11 Room 9

15:10-15:30 Closing: all students together at the Hall - Manga Contest and closing message from High school teacher

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Memorial Paul Kane Louis Spruce Grove Jasper Place A Jasper Place B HomeRoom HomeRoom HomeRoom HomeRoom HomeRoom HomeRoom 8:35 - 8:45 Hall Room 9 Room 7 Room 4 Hall Hall

8:45 - 9:00 Opening: all students together at the Hall - welcome message and Taiko Demo

Kimono Room 5 Calligraphy Exchange Tea ceremony 9:05 – 9:45 Karate and Taiko Karate and Taiko Manga Room 7 Room 2, 4 Programs Room 9 Room 11 Hall Hall Calligraphy Kimono Room 5 Tea ceremony Exchange 9:50 – 10:30 Room 2, 4 Manga Room 7 Room 11 Programs Room 9 Exchange Programs Tea ceremony Calligraphy Kimono Room 5 10:35 - 11:15 Room 9 Room 11 Karate and Taiko Karate and Taiko Room 2, 4 Manga Room 7 Tea ceremony Exchange Hall Hall Kimono Room 5 Calligraphy 11:20 - 12:00 Room 11 Programs Room 9 Manga Room 7 Room 2, 4 Lunch Lunch Lunch Lunch Lunch Lunch 12:00 - 12:30 Hall Room 9 Room 7 Room 4 Hall Hall

Noon hour get together - message and Japanese Dance 12:30 - 12:45 Calligraphy Kimono Room 5 Exchange Tea ceremony 12:50 - 13:30 Room 2, 4 Manga Room 7 Programs Room 9 Room 11 Karate and Taiko Karate and Taiko Kimono Room 5 Calligraphy Tea ceremony Exchange Hall Hall 13:35 - 14:15 Manga Room 7 Room 2, 4 Room 11 Programs Room 9

Closing: all students together at the Hall - Manga Contest and closing message by a high school teacher 14:15 – 14:30

20. Activity timeline Following schedule shows Explore Japan 2014 activities, “start” and “end” dates, responsible person of action items.

Action Start End Responsible May-June July Aug Sep Oct Nov Steering Committee meeting 1 15-May-14 15-May-14 Sanae Confirm the overall plan 16-May-14 30-May-14 Steering Reserve iisle for the event 16-May-14 Jan Leanne Prepare a planning proposal to Japan 01-Jun-14 30-Jun-14 Sanae Identify resource people & budget 01-Jun-14 31-Aug-14 Sanae, Yukiko Confirm funding sources 01-Jun-14 31-Aug-14 Sanae, Yukimi, Mami Sendout program introduction to schools mid-August Mami Steering Committee meeting 2 if required later in Sep Sanae Planning Committee meeting 1 15-Sep-14 Sanae Develop and send Students Registration Sep Sep Mami Teachers to send back students 05-Oct-14 Mami, teachers Media and Guests communication October October Melody Prepare planning form 25-Sep-14 10-Oct-14 Presenters Develop presentation material 25-Sep-14 14-Oct-14 Presenters Purchase/prepare materials July 14-Oct-14 Sanae, Melody Modify presentation plan as required 11-Oct-14 25-Oct-14 Presenters Receive final students' registrations 23-Sep-14 11-Oct-14 Mami, teachers Prepare nametags for students/teachers 21-Oct-14 25-Oct-14 Mami and presenters Develop details of schedule 14-Oct-14 28-Oct-14 Sanae Develop students/teachers feedback forms 01-Oct-14 22-Oct-14 Mami Develop presenters feedback form 17-Oct-14 22-Oct-14 Sanae Practice presentation 01-Oct-14 22-Oct-14 Presenters Make teachers handbook 07-Oct-14 21-Oct-14 Sanae, presenters Make student handbooks 01-Oct-14 21-Oct-14 Sanae, presenters Review teachers and students handbook 21-Oct-14 23-Oct-14 Mieko Have class discussion using handbooks 24-Oct-14 01-Nov-14 Teachers Prepare gift bags to schools 24-Oct-14 31-Oct-14 Mami Transport items and set ups 03-Nov-14 03-Nov-14 EJCA, iisle, Explore Japan day 1 04-Nov-14 04-Nov-14 Explore Japan day 2 05-Nov-14 05-Nov-14 Collect presenters feedback 08-Nov-14 15-Nov-14 Sanae, presenters Collect Students and Teachers feedback 08-Nov-14 30-Nov-14 Mami Create reports, Japanese/English 11-Nov-14 30-Dec-14 Sanae

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21. Summary of feedback from students and teachers This year as a first trial, teachers’ and students’ feedback forms were prepared online. 179 students from 7 schools and 8 teachers (chaperons) responded by December 3, 2014. The followings are summaries of the feedback from students and teachers. a. Students ※ N/A: didn’t participate in the program ※ % excludes number of N/A

1) Rate of satisfaction with each program Excellent Good Fair Poor N/A Over all programs 125 70% 51 28% 2 1% 1 1% 0 0 Arrival/ Check-in/ Homeroom 84 50% 63 38% 16 10% 4 2% 12 Opening session (Taiko demo) 110 71% 35 23% 7 5% 3 2% 24 Keynote speech 56 35% 77 49% 22 14% 3 2% 21 After-lunch-event (Japanese dance) 76 43% 79 44% 18 10% 5 3% 1 Japanese Exchange Programs 110 61% 59 33% 8 4% 2 1% 0 Tea Ceremony 115 65% 54 30% 6 3% 3 2% 1 Calligraphy 133 74% 37 21% 7 4% 2 1% 0 Kimono 130 75% 34 20% 6 3% 4 2% 5 Manga 86 52% 60 36% 14 8% 6 4% 13 Karate 97 54% 55 31% 21 12% 6 3% 0 Taiko 119 67% 41 23% 14 8% 4 2% 1

1) Was the pre-event students’ handbook useful?

Excellent Good Fair Poor N/A 45 45% 46 46% 7 7% 2 2% 79

2) Would you recommend this program to your friends?

Yes 172 96% No 7 4%

3) Which program did you find the most fascinating? ※multiple answers

14 Kimono 73 41% Tea Ceremony 66 37% Calligraphy 62 35% Japanese Exchange Programs 51 28% Manga 47 26% Taiko 42 23% Karate 35 20% Other 6 3%

 Kimono  I not only got to briefly learn about the kimono, but I got to try one on as well. It was really fun!  I have seen kimonos before and I have always wanted to wear one. When we tried them on, I was very happy. I think they are very pretty and kawaii! I also found the history and all the different types of kimonos very fascinating.  Tea Ceremony  The tea ceremony was insightful, the matcha tea was delicious, and it gave me the opportunity to enjoy the moment in solitude. I learned about traditional Japanese tea ceremonies, and I never knew there was this much to learn about the practice!  The tea ceremony was beautiful, and I now want to learn how to host a ceremony!  The Japanese treats and tea were delicious. When I travel to japan one day I too want to take part in the tea ceremony again  Calligraphy  It was so cool to learn about calligraphy and write it.  Because I was amazed of how beautiful and precise is the art of calligraphy  The calligraphy program was very enticing as I was able to explore an exclusive Japanese form of art. It was fun to see that certain characters can have many meanings, meanings that can be so powerful as to have created an art.  Japanese Exchange Programs  It is something I'm really looking forward to experiencing in my future.t is something I'm really looking forward to experiencing in my future.  The Japanese Exchange Programs have provided me with relevant information regarding exchange trips that I can go to, and has helped me to gain a better understanding of being a foreign student in Japan. The program was inspiring as it was entertaining.  Manga  I really love anime and drawing, but I never thought that it would be so easy to do manga. I have gotten into drawing again and I am really interested in anime! :D

15  I learned new ways of how to develop my art skills with manga and know what I could do more with manga.  Taiko  Taiko was also interesting as I have a love for music and taught me lots about some traditional Japanese music.  It was really fun to learn how to do Taiko. It was really fun  Karate  They were clear with their instructions and made the experience that much more enjoyable. I have experience in Martial Arts by studying a Korean type called Taekwondo until I have reached my black belt. Regardless, I found this session to be insightful of the way of Karate, intense, and fun for all.  For karate I found it interesting that it could be used for self-defense, and very handy depending on many situations.  Others  To be completely honest, I found all the activities equally fascinating because of the level of effort that the coordinators put into information delivery while not detracting from the enjoyment of the hands-on portion.  I would very much like to participate in an exchange and the information provided was very helpful.

4) What aspect of Japanese culture would you like to know more about?  School  Everyday life.  Traditions  Temples, gods and legends.  Food  Language  Matsuri, festivals.  Samurai  Geography of Japan 5) Other comments and/or suggestions  Make the manga drawing, and kimono times longer.  Thank you for putting this wonderful program for us.  We should learn to make sushi  The air conditioning was nice in the classrooms.  It would be much better if we can get more variety in bento boxes. Not just 2 kinds. It would let us experience the food of Japan more, and desert.  I really enjoyed this trip! Thank you for the experience and please keep doing what you are

16 doing.  Have someone be a samurai and do "training" with a real katana against dummies.  Allow the students to brew the tea and practice in a traditional tea ceremony. P.S. Great tea!  I had an amazing time experiencing Japanese culture and I would like to go back  It was an excellent event and I hope that it is put on again next year.  Overall, my experience was excellent because of how welcoming the staff was and how informative the lessons were. If I had to recommend a new segment, I would love to see more of the martial arts weaponry and culinary expertise of Japan  The program was great and it lets students learn more about Japanese culture  I'd like to become a part of a nonprofit group or organization that meets often to teach and practices language and different hobbies. As a Japanese student myself, I'd certainly like people to practice with :)  I think it was good overall and really fun but I think more Japanese decorations and culture should be present, like more of a Japanese vibe, like in the hallways and rooms. The Tea ceremony room was very well decorated and the kimono room was excellent as well.  The karate was a little crowded. Perhaps instead of two groups in the gym maybe just one? Also the manga session could be a little bit longer.  Thank you so much to everyone that volunteered. It was truly a joy.  I enjoyed the effort of all the people who organized the event and their enthusiasm.  Maybe during lunch we could go to activities that we really liked  Overall the trip was fun and I would definitely go again if possible ^^  I would love to have many more events like this in the future.  How about try broader ranges of Japanese activities like: Japanese games, food, movies, etc.

b. Teachers ※ N/A: didn’t participate in the program ※ % excludes number of N/A

1) Rate of satisfaction with each program Excellent Good Fair Poor N/A Over all programs 8 100% 0 0% 0 0% 0 0% 0 Arrival/ Check-in/ Homeroom 8 100% 0 0% 0 0% 0 0% 0 Opening session (Taiko demo) 5 83% 1 17% 0 0% 0 0% 2 Keynote speech 2 33% 4 67% 0 0% 0 0% 2 After-lunch-event (Japanese dance) 4 50% 4 50% 0 0% 0 0% 0 Closing session (Manga Contest) 3 50% 3 50% 0 0% 0 0% 2 Japanese Exchange Programs 3 38% 4 50% 1 13% 0 0% 0 Tea Ceremony 6 75% 2 25% 0 0% 0 0% 0 17 Excellent Good Fair Poor N/A Calligraphy 8 100% 0 0% 0 0% 0 0% 0 Kimono 5 63% 3 38% 0 0% 0 0% 0 Manga 5 63% 3 38% 0 0% 0 0% 0 Karate 5 63% 3 38% 0 0% 0 0% 0 Taiko 8 100% 0 0% 0 0% 0 0% 0

2) Was the program meaningful for your Japanese program?

Excellent Good Fair Poor N/A 8 100% 0 0% 0 0% 0 0% 0

3) Were the pre-event communications and handbooks sufficient?

Excellent Good Fair Poor N/A Communications 6 86% 1 14% 0 0% 0 0% 1 Teachers' Handbook 6 86% 1 14% 0 0% 0 0% 1 Students' Handbook 6 86% 1 14% 0 0% 0 0% 1

4) Would you recommend this program to other schools? Excellent Good Fair Poor N/A 8 100% 0 0% 0 0% 0 0% 0

5) What aspect of Japanese culture would you like your students to know more about?  I don't think it would hurt to introduce Japanese Buddhism or another activity like kendo. If there was an opportunity for them to buy things, I think they would enjoy that too, like Japanese type things like fans, or key chains. Maybe an introduction to Japanese pop culture - music and other things that are popular in Japan. These are just some ideas.  "Japanese people's etiquette, mannerisms and sense of values" are apparent in all the sessions and I extremely appreciate it. They may be more emphasized through the activities.  The students are interested in Samurai and ancient Japanese culture.

6) Other comments and/or suggestions  I really appreciate all of the events and activities and I think it was a valuable experience for the students. I would say my biggest criticism is that the start and end times don't quite mesh up with our schedule. We left earlier than planned but that was not known when we signed up. I found out that morning that our bus driver needed to be back sooner than

18 expected, but I found that in order to get to IISLE, it is extremely difficult to leave Stony Plain before 8:15-8:20 am. I'm really appreciative of the understanding that we were going to be late.  This was one of the best field trip experiences I have ever been involved with. I would absolutely recommend this program to other schools.  I am not sure how usually goes in the past, but we found that the lunch time was not sufficient enough to enjoy the bento box. Because the time changes this year, maybe the lunch time was shortened?? It would be nice to have about 45 minutes or so.  Once again, amazingly done by all volunteers and organizers. Students have a wonderful time at this event.  The timing of the day was not consistent with the bus availability inside the city. We could get a bus at 8:45 am at the earliest and then we had to leave at 2 pm. This is because all the buses are being used for their regular routes. This made the day a little frustrating at being late and then having to leave early.  The Keynote speech that Ms. Kurata presented was powerfully encouraging and personable for our students. Thank you so much for the wonderful event. It is impossible for classroom teachers to provide such culturally rich experience without the help of so many EJCA volunteers and support from the Japan Foundation and the Consulate-General of Japan. Our Assistant Principal who visited the event was totally impressed with the event and wishes to express his appreciation to the committee that made this event happen.

22. Documents/Reports View of the following documents are available upon a request to Sanae Ohki, [email protected], some viewing restriction may apply.  Teachers’ handbook and Students’ handbook  Presenter, assistant, and guides feedback form  Guide information sheet  Report of the event to the Consulate-General of Japan in Calgary, written in Japanese, dated November 20, 2014 *****************

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Main Entrance Hallway