A record number of volunteers (32) attended our June 29^th Training Day for members of our StepOutNet Programme, which holds volunteer Japanese taster sessions in primary and secondary school.

After new volunteers were introduced to the basics of the programme, all participants had an opportunity to hear reports from two volunteers who had visited schools recently.  This was followed by an introduction of classroom activities that can be used to introduce Japanese in primary and secondary schools, led by Japan Foundation’s Japanese Language Advisor, Hiroko Tanaka.  These included making finger puppets to demonstrate Japanese greetings with bowing, singing Japanese songs and using the Japan Foundation’s Ready, Steady Nihongo and Erin’s Challenge resources.  Finally, all volunteers were shown how to introduce both Japanese language and culture by hanging wishes on bamboo to celebrate the Tanabata Star Festival.

One of the volunteers commented:

「私は日本語授業の経験はありますが、色々と変わった案や豊富な資料を御紹介頂いて勉強になりました。」

(“Although I have experience running a Japanese class, it was useful to be introduced to lots of different ideas and an abundance of resources.”)

We would like to thank all volunteers for coming to the Training Day, and hope they will have the chance to hold a Japanese Taster Session at a school soon!

If you speak native level or fluent Japanese and are interested in becoming a StepOutNet volunteer, please click here for more information.