Category Archive: KCP Program
It’s been a week or so since the start of the term. As you can see in the photos below, the teachers are already in full-throttle! The photos were taken at 6 pm; even at that time there were still teachers and some students at school.
Deep in concentration, checking a student’s papers. | KCP Flickr
Students typically hang out in the student lounge to study and chat with friends. Meanwhile, teachers discuss schoolwork with their colleagues or correct students’ homework, compositions, quizzes, etc. Correcting the assignments of students is an important learning process for teachers. Whenever they see answers written by students that are different from what they expected to see, teachers try to analyze the thought patterns of students in those answers to figure out why or how they came to their answer. This analysis helps teachers refine their teaching skills so they can lead students to better understand their assignments.
KCP teachers discuss students’ assignments. | KCP Flickr
It’s common knowledge that teachers at KCP are highly committed to their students’ success. This is one of the characteristics of the KCP school culture—the very devoted teaching staff. They are all highly serious about getting students to gain proficiency in the Japanese language . . . . and highly playful occasionally, since playing is a great way to learn.
Looks like everyone’s getting a good grade! | KCP Flickr
Tags: KCP International teachers, KCP Japan teachers, KCP study abroad program, KCP teachers
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For any business to be a success, one of the key tactics is the free exchange of ideas that can provide improvement. Nemawashi (根回し) is a Japanese process being implemented by numerous companies to arrive at a consensus. It is a subtle alternative approach to the Western-style business meeting which can publicly display a clash of opinions.
In English, the term “nemawashi” means “going around the roots.” It comes from the word “ne (根)”, which means “root” and “mawasu (回す)” which means “ to go around (something)”. The term originally and literally meant the act of digging around the roots of a tree so that it could be transplanted.
Business meeting | Robert Salzalone
Nemawashi consists of a conversation, either in small key groups, or one-on-one, to minimize the show of public conflicts. It can begin with someone who has a proposal he wants to share, and who will then seek out the decision-makers in the company to get their opinion. This could be tricky since in a Japanese company, there are several people that take into account the decision-making process that will impact a business. There could be no specific person whose voice weighs more than the others. For the nemawashi strategy to work, there must be a number of nemawashi meetings with small groups of people until all concerns have been covered, and core aspects have been established.
Nemawashi meetings can either be formal or informal. One can either bring up a conversation in an elevator, or during lunch, or in a social gathering. It can also have been planned beforehand to discuss a certain agenda.
The main goal of nemawashi is to give one’s point of view regarding a proposal or idea, and to get feedback and suggestions from people that you are doing the nemawashi with. Based on the feedback gathered, you can then further refine your proposal or no longer pursue it based on the gathered consensus.
You can learn more about the practice of nemawashi by attending KCP International’s 4-week Summer course on Business. It aims to help students who are interested in developing Japanese business acumen to further their careers. To learn more this new course, visit our KCP website.
Tags: Japanese business, Japanese business practices, Japanese culture, nemawashi
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We are very proud to announce two new affiliate university members of the KCP International Japanese Language School. They are New Mexico State University and Cleveland State University.
New Mexico State is a land-grant university in Las Cruces, with extensions and research centers statewide. More than 23,000 students attend. NMSU is a NASA Space Grant College, a Hispanic-serving institution, and the home of the only Honors College in New Mexico.
Selected as one of America’s Best Colleges by U.S. News & World Report, Cleveland State features renowned professors, more than 200 academic programs, exciting downtown internships, NCAA Division I sports, and one of Ohio’s lowest tuitions. Sixteen thousand students attend.
KCP is in the midst of a massive web upgrade; when it is complete, we will announce links to the KCP program websites at all of our schools, including the two newest ones. NMSU and CSU: welcome!
Tags: Cleveland State University, New Mexico State University, study in japan
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On August 1, KCP student Bethany employed her Japanese oratory skills in KCP’s speech contest. She also participated in a costume-play entertainment segment. Bethany is a student from the University of California, Irvine, and is attending KCP through a program with Western Washington University.
Bethany at far left, wearing a samurai costume and a hachimaki. |KCP at Flickr
A Hachimaki (“helmet scarf”) is a Japanese headband that was made infamous by the kamikaze pilots in WWII who were known to crash their planes into enemy aircraft. They were also known as suicide attackers. It symbolizes perseverance in the Japanese culture by anyone who wears it. It is worn tosymbolize taking pride in one’s work. It typically displays the symbol of the rising sun on white or red cloth.
A KCP student gives a speech. | KCP at Flickr
Most of the students were nervous about speaking in public in a language they are still in the process of learning. Cheers and encouragement from fellow classmates were a source of inspiration to get through the challenge. It was a proud moment for the students after many hours of studying and learning about the Japanese language and culture.
As a breather from the mounting tension from students about to say their speeches in the Japanese language, another student exhibits his talent in the martial arts of Kung Fu. This display made it easy to put smiles on the faces of the audience. | KCP at Flickr
Many students are awarded prizes and commendations for their wonderful performances in the speech contest. It goes to show that the many hours of studying and learning have finally reaped rewards. | KCP at Flickr
More students share what they have learned from the Japanese culture by singing Japanese songs. | KCP at Flickr
KCP students wear yellow ribbons to demonstrate the Yosakoi dance. In the Japanese tradition, a yellow ribbon is a Medal of Honor that recognizes professionals who are considered role models for the public through hard work. | KCP at Flickr
Yosakoi (“come at night”) is a Japanese dance that originated in Kōchi, the main city in Shikoku Island, Japan, in 1954. The style of Yosakoi dancing involves traditional Japanese dance, energetic moves, and modern music. Happi coats (a traditional straight sleeved Japanese coat) and Yukatas (a summer kimono made of cotton) are worn when dancing Yosakoi. It has become increasingly popular with many Yusakoi festivals being held all across Japan.
Check out more photos of the speech contest at our Flickr site!
Tags: hachimaki, KCP August 2011 speech contest, KCP speech contest, KCP student Bethany, Yosakoi dance
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Spirited debates are a great way for advanced students at KCP to practice their persuasive arguing techniques. It also allows them to show their familiarity with the Japanese language by expressing ideas.
During this Spring term 2011, course level 5 held a Japanese debate session, in which Canadian student Christina Bucci took part.
Level 5 offers more sophisticated Japanese where students have to be quick to think and talk the language to get their message across. Christina (far left) is deep in concentration as the debate begins.
Christina states her argument in this shot that shows all the debate participants.
Whatever the outcome, Christina looks satisfied after presenting her case and showing us her expertise in the Japanese language. Well done!
Tags: course level 5, Japanese debate session, KCP language level 5, KCP student Christina Bucci
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Want us to help you keep up with KCP? Sign up for our eZasshi. The May issue features a recent spring trip, learning Japanese through proverbs, this precious moment, and upcoming deadlines.
Read the eZasshi archives and sign up for it (bottom).
Arigato!
Tags: eZasshi, Japanese language school, Tokyo
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The entrance and orientation ceremony for the spring semester at KCP just took place.
Mr. Kimbara, KCP principal, gives a speech to welcome the new students.
The students appear to feel welcome!
And some silliness.
A new speaker . . .
And another, with an anime poster.
Students are laughing off their travel stress!
A more serious poster (and full of content).
Tags: animé, Japanese language school, KCP
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Ten reasons to sign up for KCP International’s summer short-term program
10. It’s a busy festival time in Tokyo–fireworks at Sumida, Tokyo Bay, Asakusa, Koenjhi, Jingu, and Fukagawai. There is also a Honbashu (Grand Sumo tournament) in September.
9. You earn 10 semester credits (15 quarter credits) in about 7 weeks.
8. During the hot summer, Tokyo is full of air-conditioned shopping centers and museums. And the seashore is not far away.
7. The host family lodging option is available for the summer short-term.
6. The summer short-term includes excursions to places like Mt. Fuji and Odawara Castle.
5. It’s the least expensive term of a school known for its reasonable prices.
4. You’ll make many good friends in this transformative time–other students, teachers, young people (in a dorm), and your host family (homestay).
3. It fits well into U.S. academic schedules (late June to mid-August).
2. You have more time than in the regular semester terms for travel afterwards–for those on the quarter system, as much as an entire month.
1. It’s a real acceleration shot to your Japanese ability–you’ll be leaps and bounds ahead of your former self.
Application deadline extended to April 1!
Tags: festivals, Japanese immersion, Japanese language school, study abroad
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The KCP program offers two choices for lodging while studying. One is a dormitory and one is a family homestay. Here’s a rundown of the choices.
Homestay
Here you have a daily opportunity to practice language, as well as connecting with Japanese family life and traditions. Meals take place in a family setting; you can take trips with your family, bond with the “siblings,” and establish a close, long-term relationship with your family. It’s a great option for younger students.
On the down side, you’ll find less free time in your schedule. Of course, helping out around the house is vital to being a member (however temporary) of the family. Because KCP chooses its hosts carefully and there is a great demand for homestay, if you are attending KCP for multiple semesters you can choose homestay for only one semester.
Dormitory
Students are placed in several dorms, depending on availability and demand, in the greater Tokyo area. The dorm is a great place to meet other young people, some from schools other than KCP. (Schools in Japan have different dorm arrangements than here in the U.S.–you will likely share the dorm with students from other schools as well as some KCP students.) You have a private room and more freedom. Some dorms have full kictchens so you can make your own meals; some don’t.
A student cafeteria is usually available, as well as vending machines, public phones, and a coin laundry. Meals are not included in the program cost, but utilities and bed linens are included.
Clearly, you won’t have exposure to family life in a dorm. Dorms in Japan are generally more restrrictive than dorms in the U.S.
Notable points
Both homestay and dormitory lodging are likely to have curfews. This is a significant difference from college life in the U.S., but it’s not all bad. It encourages you to get back to your digs in good time for a little studying, on a regular basis.
Whether you live in a dorm or stay with a family, you may find that you have a significant commute into school. (Remember the famous Tokyo commute?) This can be an unpleasant surprise at first, but the reality is that a commute can be an opportunity to drill yourself on Japanese hiragana/katakana.
A local transportation pass between your lodging and school is included in the program cost when class is in session for both dorm and homestay students.
Tags: Japanese language school, KCP, Tokyo lifestyle
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The Summer 2010 session at KCP International Japanese Language School is going on right now. Here are some shots of life at KCP in the summer–the academic side.
Class time–group work.
A one-on-one session really jump-starts this student’s ability to speak Japanese. The luxury of a real back-and-forth with a native speaker!
A gift from KCP students to the staff. Everyone there works very hard!
In the hotel during a KCP overnight trip. Even during a fun excursion like this, students study hard. When we’re all together in a new place, though, it has a festive feeling–and we’re often learning things we’ll use right away.
No question: kanji is difficult. One of the payoffs is calligraphy class.
Every second works for you! On the bus during this KCP trip, teachers lead students in activities and games that use Japanese.
Omikuji, Japanese fortune telling paper. Students are usually interested in good luck in love and learning.
Tags: Japanese immersion, Japanese language school, kanji, KCP, learning Japanese
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