Japanese Uni Students at Nossal
Nossal has been hosting university students from Japan through a program organised by Language Teachers Victoria. During Term 1, Kokoe and Yuiko visited us for three weeks as language assistants and stayed with students' families.
At school, they helped improve speaking skills by engaging in individual conversations with VCE Japanese students both inside and outside the classroom. They also gave a presentation to Year 10 students introducing Japanese pop culture, covering current trends in fashion, food, games, and newly coined words commonly used in Japan. With Year 9 students, they made learning Japanese scripts more engaging by using flashcards in fun and interactive ways.
Beyond language classes, Kokoe and Yuiko also visited other subjects, including English, Maths, Humanities, Science, Art, Theatre Studies, and Electronics. They actively participated in school events, such as the Harmony Day dress-up, and found the International Women’s Day assembly inspiring.
At home, they were warmly welcomed by their host families, who took them to various places around Melbourne. Below are articles written by the homestay hosts, sharing their experiences.
Hosting Yuiko
Hosting Yuiko was a very insightful experience; her presence brought a more jovial atmosphere to our family dynamic and strengthened our bonds. I truly valued our discussions about cultural differences during our shared daily routines. Yuiko, who is very interested in history, spoke with me about it often, which I greatly enjoyed. The cultural exchange and everyday conversations on a range of topics made each day feel special. In return for sharing aspects of Australian culture like common Australian values which she was interested in, we learned about Japanese traditions and customs.
Our shared interest in certain topics in Japanese culture made every conversation enjoyable and made my morning and afternoon commute far more interesting. I valued the opportunity to practice my language skills and further improve my intonation and fluency of language usage. Though the experience was short, it broadened my horizons and created lasting friendships.
By Alexander Wang, Year 11
Hosting Yuiko was a wonderful experience! She arrived with a variety of gifts and snacks from Japan. She was always kind, considerate, and eager to help around the house.
Every weekend, we would venture around Melbourne, visiting places like the beach, the city, and other unique spots. We told Yuiko all about our daily lives here in Australia. In exchange, Yuiko told us about her family and her life in Japan.
Yuiko left us with wonderful memories. She was a fantastic guest, and we are grateful to have been able to have the experience of hosting her.
By Isabella Song, Year 9