Students will learn about the differences between Japanese schools and their own experiences in school.
Over the past 20 years, numerous students from Japan have spent several weeks in the homes of Utahns, experiencing American life through the efforts of the sister-city program. During that time, they have shared some of their lifestyles with the families who hosted them. Much has been said about the excellence of Japanese schools compared to American schools. This lesson shows the strengths of their school system, and also some of the desires to adopt what America offers. Carrying out a discussion with students discussing the differences between the school day might be an effective way to instruct students.
Students will learn about what schools in Japan are like, what Japanese students do to prepare and participate in school, what we might want adopt in our own school system, and perhaps gain a greater appreciation for our own school system.
If there is an opportunity to make contact with a school in Japan via video conferencing or finding pen pals, this could be a more extensive study of the differences between the two countries. Contacts might be found through the Matsumoto Sister-City program with the Salt Lake City government, the Utah Office of Tourism, or the University of Utah Japanese Language department.