VOL. XXVIII, NO. 1
OCTOBER 1, 1986
Japanese teachers visit district schools
by Sharon Kaufman
Mrs. Masayo Uchida and Mr. Ryoliji Ikita, two English teachers in Japan, visited Maine West on July 11 and 12. They came to the United States as a part of the Educational Exchange Program.
Mrs. Uchida and Mr. Ikita arrived in New York on July 23. Since then, they have visited various historical sights and cities across the United States. Mrs. Uchida commented, "Americans accept people from various backgrounds. We (Japan) are experimenting with allowing people from different backgrounds to come to Japan, but Japan is a homogeneous country and we're not ready for different people."
By attending different high schools in the United States. Mrs. Uchida and Mr. Ikita were able to compare their high schools to ours, Mr. Ikita commented, "We were able to find good points in American high schools, but we also were able to find the good points of Japanese schools. Japanese students are more respectful and well behaved in contrast to American students." However. Mr. Ichida did notice that American students display greater school spirit and pride in athletic competition. He also stated, "American students are very aggressive. They always raise their hand if they have a question."
A typical English class in Japan has about forty five students. Because of the large number of students in the classroom, oral communication is difficult.
Mrs. Masayo Uchida and Mr. Ryoliji Ikita, two English teachers in Japan, visited Maine West on July 11 and 12. They came to the United States as a part of the Educational Exchange Program.
Mrs. Uchida and Mr. Ikita arrived in New York on July 23. Since then, they have visited various historical sights and cities across the United States. Mrs. Uchida commented, "Americans accept people from various backgrounds. We (Japan) are experimenting with allowing people from different backgrounds to come to Japan, but Japan is a homogeneous country and we're not ready for different people."
By attending different high schools in the United States. Mrs. Uchida and Mr. Ikita were able to compare their high schools to ours, Mr. Ikita commented, "We were able to find good points in American high schools, but we also were able to find the good points of Japanese schools. Japanese students are more respectful and well behaved in contrast to American students." However. Mr. Ichida did notice that American students display greater school spirit and pride in athletic competition. He also stated, "American students are very aggressive. They always raise their hand if they have a question."
A typical English class in Japan has about forty five students. Because of the large number of students in the classroom, oral communication is difficult.
Japanese students therefore have to write English into Japanese and concentrate on grammar. English is required in Japanese schools from seventh until twelfth grade.
Japanese students attend school from 8:30 am. until 3:30 p.m. Their school day consists of six fifty‑minute periods plus lunch, with ten minute passing periods. Students stay in the same room and the teachers walk from classroom to classroom. Japanese students eat lunch in a garden or on the roof.
Mr. Ikita and Mrs. Uchida both agreed that Maine West offers more different types of classes than at their high schools. They stated, "We don't have drama, home economics or driver's education classes, but we do offer child care classes." There are four different types of high schools in Japan: regular (where students go to the university), commercial, agriculture, and industry.
Mr. Uchida and Mr. Ikita both admired the gymnasium and facilities of Maine West. They also commented on the system of supervision that the teachers have over the students. Mr. Ikita commented, "You know where the students are without controlling them. Japan has more structure and control." Schools are smaller in Japan and the students don't have free time during the school day.
Mrs. Uchida and Mr. Ikita had a very nice experience at Maine West and remarked, "the building is like a pentagon." They also were. . . surprised to speak in the Principal's office on the intercom."
Japanese students attend school from 8:30 am. until 3:30 p.m. Their school day consists of six fifty‑minute periods plus lunch, with ten minute passing periods. Students stay in the same room and the teachers walk from classroom to classroom. Japanese students eat lunch in a garden or on the roof.
Mr. Ikita and Mrs. Uchida both agreed that Maine West offers more different types of classes than at their high schools. They stated, "We don't have drama, home economics or driver's education classes, but we do offer child care classes." There are four different types of high schools in Japan: regular (where students go to the university), commercial, agriculture, and industry.
Mr. Uchida and Mr. Ikita both admired the gymnasium and facilities of Maine West. They also commented on the system of supervision that the teachers have over the students. Mr. Ikita commented, "You know where the students are without controlling them. Japan has more structure and control." Schools are smaller in Japan and the students don't have free time during the school day.
Mrs. Uchida and Mr. Ikita had a very nice experience at Maine West and remarked, "the building is like a pentagon." They also were. . . surprised to speak in the Principal's office on the intercom."
