[Janny2006]

As most of you know, I have been teaching kendo at my high school in Melbourne. Currently there is a push to introduce studies of Asia into every sphere of the Australian school curriculum. As a result there are some substantial grants open to Australian schools to support this. The study area doesn't have to be language-based, so kendo qualifies.

What I would like to do is to find a Japanese HS (junior or senior) who would be interested in establishing some kind of exchange program. The parameters are pretty open ended. It would depend of what suited both our schools.

An advantage would be if your school is good with technology (e.g. uses laptops in class, Interactive White-Boards, has a school wireless network, etc), then the possibility exists for video-conferencing as a low-cost starting point.

So if you're an English (or other subject, like KENDO!) teacher and your HS has an international program or some kind of international focus, drop me a PM.

b

[Abofedrorobox]

might be asking a bit much (techonology wise) unless you track down a good private school.
a lot of japanese high schools have seriously censored internet as well.

[drmarshallusa]

ALT's are about the equivalent of cockroaches in Japanese school systems.

Only person I know that is an exception to this rule, and I know a lot of teachers...

[mirvokrug]

I know a few foreigners who are actual high school teachers and not ALTs.

One teacher has approached me about setting up some kind of pen pal thing, but we shelved it for various reasons.

[MontyP@thon]

On a slightly different angle, I'm having meeting soon with somebody in the International Office of the University where I work because the University of Sheffield is trying to establish/strengthen our links with Japanese universities. It seems there are a few 'Asian studies' and 'English language' links but we're keen to have Biomedical Science links too, but it seems to be hard to get contacts.

My department is the 3rd top department for research in the UK, have the top rating for teaching and a Stem Cell and Functional Genomics Centre of international repute here too, so I can't understand why Japanese academics aren't falling over themselves to get involved with us! I guess we're trying to establish a strategy to forge links. I'm keen to organise a student exchange programme as well.

Anyway, if anyone knows of any Biomedically strong Universities or names of anyone I could contact, I'd be really pleased to hear from you!

[Fksxneng]

Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology could be a way to go. (http://www.oist.jp/)
My university has some connections with them but for their cognitive psychology research. I think they may do what you mentioned so it might be worth a cruise on the site.
Dont hold me to it though.... seriously.... dont.... at all......

[ChexEcodece]

Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology could be a way to go. (http://www.oist.jp/)
My university has some connections with them but for their cognitive psychology research. I think they may do what you mentioned so it might be worth a cruise on the site.
Dont hold me to it though.... seriously.... dont.... at all......

You know, I think some of my old colleagues in Psychology have visited Okinawa but they weren't keen on a repeat visit for some unknown reason! I think they have some grant collaborations going on but I never got to the bottom of their dislike of the place, if that is the case.

[aliceingoogs]

You know, I think some of my old colleagues in Psychology have visited Okinawa but they weren't keen on a repeat visit for some unknown reason! I think they have some grant collaborations going on but I never got to the bottom of their dislike of the place, if that is the case.

Interesting, I have noticed they do have a lot of job openings all the time.

Thanks

[SiM7W2zi]

What kind of program are you looking for? Short or long term? Group or individual?

My son's dojo has hosted many students over the past 10 years. They really don't speak much English, and the kids are aged 6-15, but in the past they have hosted college kids and adults, and are interested in hosting more. Give me more of an idea of what you are looking for.

[VXHLrsO1]

Hi Pizzamancer,

Thanks for the reply. Check your PMs.

b