Event Report] YBS Weekend Study Abroad

Hello!

This is Brandon & Aya from GLI.

Weekend study abroad program at YBS (Yokosuka Bilingual School) was implemented for the first time last year.

On March 20, the long-awaited second "Weekend Study Abroad" took place.

GLI children had their "first experience studying abroad" at the last event.

The atmosphere at the bilingual school was overwhelming."

I was nervous about speaking English, but I was happy to have made friends."

I want to get to know you better next time!"

Through the "study abroad experience," I developed various thoughts, such as

Arrive at YBS!

Ten people, including junior high school student interns, participated in this year's event.

In the morning, students will attend classes at YBS.

Students from the oldest to the 5th grade go to their respective classes according to their level.

When we entered the classroom, the YBS students who remembered the previous event were all talking about it.

I remember you!" What activity are we doing today?" "I'm looking forward to it!"

He approached me in a friendly manner.

In the level-based classes, the intern junior high school students sometimes played the role of teachers and supported the YBS students by reciting poems with the YBS students who were learning Japanese.

By participating in YBS classes, they actively answer the teacher's questions and express and advocate their own opinions,

We experienced the real "American communication environment.

You may have been a little surprised at how different the atmosphere was from that of Japanese schools.

During "study abroad," of course, we also spend time with YBS students during lunch and breaks.

They played soccer together, played the piano, and interacted as they pleased.

Afternoon is sports day!

In the afternoon, it was time for the activities I had been looking forward to!

YBS and GLI students worked in teams of four for sports activities.

Sack races, spoon races, tripods, and an egg hunt unique to this time of year.

When everyone was moving their bodies together, the tension from the class was completely dissolved and everyone had a very nice smile on their faces!

When they cooperated with their new friends to win the race, they seemed to have strengthened their bond with each other.

In the egg hunt, everyone was absorbed in the search for 40 eggs hidden in the garden.

Here, too, the children who have found many eggs share their own eggs with those who cannot find them.

We could see them caring for each other.

The "Study Abroad Experience" continues after school!

After all classes and activities, after school!

Students will enjoy "studying abroad" well after school (afterschool).

A child ran outdoors at once, eager to play soccer again after a lively lunch break.

Children making crafts with their friends in the classroom, or enjoying a card game.

A child making an original club membership card with a few friends... and so on, being creative and active.

Everyone spent the rest of their time at YBS as they wished.

On the train on the way home, we asked, "When are you going to YBS next?" "Next time I want to stay here like a real exchange student! It was fun! I had a lot of fun!

Of course, this is a "study abroad experience" to improve your English skills, such as classes in English.

More than English itself, in an environment with friends from different backgrounds.

What do you feel, how do you behave, and how do you relate to those around you? This was a good opportunity to think about these questions.

We plan to continue our exchange with YBS on a regular basis in 2024. We look forward to seeing you at our next meeting.

GLI returns to Yokosuka in our second interschool event!

On 3/20, GLI students returned to Yokusuka for the second time to join our friends at Yokosuka Bilingual School for a special day of classes and activities. We were greeted by an excited group of 3rd and 4th graders, many familiar faces, and some new ones. Our students who had participated in the previous event, felt more Our students who had participated in the previous event, felt more comfortable the second time around and the new participants quickly adjusted to the new classroom environment. It was clear that the seeds of friendship It was clear that the seeds of friendship had been made and were starting to sprout.

In the morning, we joined their regular classes separated by age. Our students experienced the communicative environment of an American school. Our students experienced the communicative environment of an American school. Students were actively answering the teachers questions and volunteering to share their opinions. Our interns supported and acted as helpers and even teachers. All of the interns who joined did a fantastic job taking great care of not only GLI students but YBS students as well.
During lunch, students ate in the classrooms and played outside.
In the afternoon, GLI led a sports activity ( a series of races and an egg hunt ) in which YBS and GLI students worked in teams of 4. The events were so fun, you could see a smile on everyone's face! Through their collective effort with new friends, they were able to make a good memory.

In the afternoon we joined the after school program and students could play freely. Students from both schools enjoyed playing together. Some played soccer, some played piano, others played with puzzles or made crafts inside. There was even a small club, called SYSOP (shock yourself on purpose), who enjoyed using static electricity to get a small shock when they touched the door handle. There was even a small club, called SYSOP (shock yourself on purpose), who enjoyed using static electricity to get a small shock when they touched the door handle. There was a lot of creativity and fun happening in the afterschool session.

Being in this environment gave our students many more chances to speak and be immersed in English, so it was a very good opportunity for them.

I would definitely recommend joining us the next time we visit. For students, and also for interns, it is a great experience!

GLI

Brandon/ Aya