I loved the closing ceremony I think that’s a great motivator and a happy fun get together which strengthens bonds even more! Tanakasan’s speech was beautiful! :’)
Which events or activities did you find the most satisfying and why?
I loved the Yamanashi trip! It was very fun and a good experience! I think it only helps when you show that there’s more to Japan then just Tokyo! Maybe to improve on this we could make sure after every class IF there’s some kind of optional activity or event going on on that day, the teachers should announce it to the students because I know there were some events that I wasn’t informed about but it may have just been my fault for not being as vigilante!;)
What were the most productive and interesting aspects of the program for you? The least interesting and productive?
The most productive was when a good teacher like Saito shows us what something means, acts out what that meaning is, maybe adding some humor in it to drive the point home, and practicing it with the students to fully make sure that overall, we’re understanding what’s going on. I loved the closing ceremony I think that’s a great motivator and a happy fun get together which strengthens bonds even more! Tanakasan’s speech was beautiful! :’)
What activities or materials did you find most helpful (e.g., pair work, drill practice, tests, small group sessions, textbooks, games)?
The small tests were helpful to me. I don’t know if those small tests are counted towards our overall grade, but whenever I get something wrong and get it back I look at it and soon know what I missed. Usually most of the things I have learned and remembered most are the things I got wrong on those small tests! Drill practice? I think that was helpful! Is that where the teacher goes around and one by one somebody answers individually? If yes then yes that was helpful! I think to make it less stressful for some students out there the teacher shouldn’t just hardcore stare and be silent but be encouraging and give head nods and smile! Being funny is fine though!;D but making sure that they know what the right answer is at the very end of it all is important!
Any suggestions for improving class activities or materials?
I think I mentioned some above! Um, maybe since each section between the break is 1 hour and 15 minutes and people seem to learn better with little breaks in between, maybe in each section we can put two or one little breaks but make them learning breaks. So instead of the “intense regular learning” take some time with the class to relax and review or go over something in a fun way...? But challenges never hurt either! Making our own sentences was a fun activity as well!
Anything you especially liked in the living arrangements? Any problems you experienced?
The living arrangements were fine! I think overall it was a good experience to live in a very small and tiny space for such an extended amount of time! いいけいけん! The few things was that towards the end my air conditioner stopped working but my beautiful manager Shu fixed that in no time! Also just the small space and the fact that the shower curtains keep touching the body unless you dap water on each side of the wall to stick the shower curtain on, at least, that’s what I figured out and started doing! It was good though and I think as long as you feel comfortable speaking up and asking Shu San for help you should be fine! In conclusion it’s livable!
What dorm did you live in or host family did you live with?
Ikebukuro dorm next to Rikkyo University!
Any comments or tips for prospective/new KCP students?
If you CAN and don’t want to pay extra money over the $80 for excess energy bills then remember to turn off the lights when you’re not using them, always turn off the air conditioner when you’re leaving the dorm, try and keep the cool level between 26-28, and if it’s summer, why not just pour the water on, it saves energy AND is good for your health! Basically just be extra environmentally conscious and you should be fine! Periodically keep the fan on in the bathroom. Some days I would turn it off but I’d usually keep it on whenever I went out!
