We had a study presentation in the beginner class!

The theme of the presentation was “My News for 2021,” and each student who entered the school last October gave a presentation entirely in Japanese.
Although they have only been in Japan for about 7 months, they were able to give their presentations without looking at the script, using kanji characters, and we could see the results of their study. They smiled a lot during their presentations, which made us feel very happy to listen to them.

The teacher also pointed out some of their weak points such as accent and pronunciation, and I think the students had a fulfilling day.
I am really looking forward to their next presentation!?

NILS full-time program held the star festival called Tanabata.
Students had a good time in experiencing Japanese culture.
Here are students’ comments.

“Tanabata felt like a festival of loved persons. We are so far from our parents, friends but the emotions are always connected and the hope that we will surely meet with them one day. That’s what Tanabata is all about. “Never losing hope to meet your loved ones.”

“Tanabata described the bond between humans, which is decreasing day by day in this hectic modern world. Though we are very busy in earning our bread and butter, we must remember we do have a family and must spend time with them.”

“Very interesting. Thanks to the school and the teachers for creating this extra-curricular session. I hope my wish will come true.
Sincere thanks to all the teachers and schools for the interesting and useful extracurricular activities for students, learning Japanese culture as well as learning new and unique cultures of students. new country. On behalf of all C3 students, I would like to thank the teachers and the school once again.”

“Living on the other side of the world can make you feel disconnected from your usual comforts. It is important to remember where you came from, but to also look ahead. Tanabata is a reminder to me, that no matter how far you go, a new home always awaits. Just like the world, it doesn’t matter which branch you chose to leave your wish on, you will always be surrounded by others. We are forever bound on our journey to find desire fulfilled.”

NILS had a tanabata festival!
Students enjoyed making various wishes – ” May pass N1!” “May improve my Japanese skills!” “May my family be happy!” We hope students’ dreams will come true.

Also students made origami paper crane. Though it was a bit tough…, teachers helped and students managed to make it.

Here is students’ impression of this event.

We learned about Tanabata(七夕), the day that commemorates the meeting between Princess Orihime, a weaver, and her husband Hikoboshi, a cow herder. Also known as the Star Festival, it is derived from Chinese mythology and first appeared in Japan during the ancient Nara period(710-794). Legend has it that Orihime and Hikoboshi were exiled the opposite ends of the galaxy by Orihime’s father for neglecting their duties. He allowed them to meet only once a year, on the 7^th day of the 7^th month of the year.

We celebrated this day by folding star origami and writing our wishes on tanzaku(短冊) and hanging them on bamboo.

Tanabata Festival is in Hong Kong, but it’s just a love story. I think the story itself is the same in both the Japanese and Hong Kong ones. But we don’t write strips of paper or fold paper cranes in Hong Kong. So this Tanabata event was very interesting and a new experience for me. The name of the main character in the Tanabata story is different from Hong Kong. In Hong Kong, Hikoboshi(彦星) is called Ushirō(牛郎), and Orihime(織姫) is called Orime(織女). There are other cultures that are similar and I hope to find them. When I go to university, I would like to study Asian culture with the theme of Tanabata.

NILS had a graduation trip for Dazaifu tenmangu shrine.
Students learned the history of Japan’s cultural and interactions with Asia and Europe, and also they felt the olden Japanese culture there. May their future be full of success and happiness!!