Japanese

A Successful Online Exchange with Ritsumeikan Junior High School!

On Wednesday 18 July, our students had a unique and enriching opportunity to connect with Japanese students from Ritsumeikan Junior High School, located in Uji, a city in the southern part of Kyoto Prefecture, famous for its green tea, historic temples, and serene landscapes.

The online exchange was the result of weeks of dedicated preparation. Since the beginning of Term 2, a group of motivated students volunteered their lunchtimes every Thursday to plan and rehearse. They carefully crafted their scripts, translated their ideas into Japanese, and practiced presenting in Japanese and English. Their presentation was remarkable—especially considering that they have only been studying Japanese for about four months!

During the online session, both schools took turns introducing their countries, schools, and cultures. The atmosphere lightened during the Q&A session, where students from both schools asked each other thoughtful - and sometimes humorous - questions. One memorable moment came when the Japanese students asked, “Where do you recommend when we visit in Australia?” Our students suggested Yarrabing Secondary College, Melbourne, Queensland, the Great Ocean Road, and… Costco! The mention of Costco sparked laughter in a positive way. It was a lovely moment of cultural bonding and shared humour.

Although the exchange took place online, the connections made were very real. Students on both sides enjoyed the opportunity to interact, share, and learn from one another. This exchange was much more than just a language exercise—it was a celebration of global friendship, student initiative, and the joy of learning.

We are incredibly proud of our students for their effort, courage, and teamwork. The smiles, laughter, and connections made during this event remind us of the power of education to bring the world a little closer together.

Junko Takahama

Japanese Teacher