LTHS Japanese Classes Connect With Students In Japan

LOCKPORT, IL — Japanese classes at Lockport Township High School are currently participating in Global Classmates, a grant-covered virtual language and cultural exchange program for high school students in the United States and Japan.

According to the school, Kizuna Across Cultures, a nonprofit organization based in Washington, DC, has connected nearly 5,000 high school students in Japan and the United States through Global Classmates.
The program pairs up one English class at a high school in Japan and one Japanese language class at a U.S. high school and provides each pair with a virtual classroom that works similarly to Facebook but is hosted on a secure and monitored educational website. Using both languages, students exchange messages, photos and videos on a secure and monitored platform on a weekly basis for six months.

During the month of October, the students also participated in an omiyage exchange, the school said. The Omiyage Exchange project had students share a piece of who they are and where they come from via an exchange of actual tangible gifts along with a handwritten note.

"I really love the Global Classmates program! I find it much easier to read and write Japanese since we get so much more practice with it, and it's even better that we're able to talk to real Japanese students our age about fun topics,” student Renee Solis said in a release. “It's also super interesting to see and realize that they struggle with English about as much as we do with Japanese. Because of this program, not only have my language application skills improved, but I've also learned much about the whole Japanese culture as well."

Classmate Joanna Belicena agreed and said in a release the program has helped her grow as a Japanese student.

“I can improve my language skill in a fun learning environment and create some new and unique friends too. Working with other students who are learning a language like you makes it seem very relatable. Makes it feel like you’re not alone. We share all our struggles and successes with each other and grow in our language and as people.”

Photo provided by Lockport Township High School.