Meguro UNESCO Japanese Classes
Meguro UNESCO Japanese Classes
Awarding “KURURINPA upside-down stuffed animals” to students with perfect attendance
Masumi Saito, Teaching staff member of Japanese Classes
I am always touched by the way senior members of Meguro UNESCO manage classes earnestly
One day, when an exchange gathering at the end of the winter term was held, there was a surprise gift of flower bouquet from Class A (beginners’ class) students. The teachers couldn’t hold back their tears.
Language teachers like us could be one of the first Japanese that some friendship members meet after coming to this country. Struggling with the language barrier, we try our best leading the class by eye-contact, hand signs and gestures. Three months soon fly. Some of the friendship members leave Japan, expressing “thank you” and “good-bye”. We wonder who would come for spring class which will commence in April. Such exchanges have been witnessed for more than 20 years.
There are 3 Japanese courses: twice a week morning course (Tue. & Thu.), Tuesday evening course, and Saturday morning course. Each course is divided to 7 levels. There are also Kanji (Chinese character) classes of 7 levels. Students can learn basic Japanese in two years through these courses.
Also, students with perfect attendance or good attendance are rewarded. During this term, among 164 total students, 18 students attained perfect attendance and 21 were recognized for good attendance. KURURINPA upside-down stuffed animals were presented (*) to these students. The photo was taken in Tue/Thu class. Looking at these beautiful smiles, with my appreciation and friendly feelings for them, I hope that they will love Japan more, and hope to pray together for the peace of the world.
* KURURINPA upside-down picture postcard conveys the message, “We want to change ‘I cannot go to school’ to ‘I can go to school’”. KURUINPA stuffed animals were created by the cooperation of Dentsu Group. The profit of these stuffed animals will be donated to World Terakoya Movement of UNESCO. For further information, please contact Meguro UNESCO Office.
-translated by Ikuko Imamura