IPC Tertiary Institute, in Palmerston North, has been running Japanese Intensive Weekends for a number of years, with the ultimate goal of giving high school students an exciting and interactive real Japanese experience, thereby increasing their motivation to continue on with their Japanese studies throughout school, and at tertiary level.
This year’s August event on the 23rd and 24th welcomed 42 Year 11, 12, and 13 students from high schools across the North Island to participate in two days packed full with Japanese classes and cultural activities. Students came from 11 different schools in the following areas: Auckland, Bay of Plenty, Hawke’s Bay, Manawatu, and Wellington. They were accommodated in IPC’s halls of residence, giving them a feel for student life at university and they dined in the on-campus dining hall, where they enjoyed Japanese soba, nanban chicken, and other options.
Throughout the weekend the high school students were taught in small classes by IPC’s three native Japanese lecturers. They built on vocabulary and grammar learned in school, practiced Japanese conversation, and learned about cultural norms in Japanese daily life.
Saturday afternoon saw students paired up with visiting Japanese high school students and their communication skills were put to the test as they worked together to complete a town scavenger hunt- answering Japanese questions at stations around the city centre, then racing to solve the mystery question. Students then put their trust in their partners in hoisting each other up rock climbing walls at Vertex Climbing Gym.
On Sunday students were kept busy mastering 対抗(Taiko drumming), making delicious 巻き寿司(maki sushi), perfecting their brush strokes in a 書道(calligraphy) class, and dressing in traditional 浴衣(yukata) and 甚平(jinbei) to take part in a 茶道(tea ceremony).
The weekend was a great success- 42 students went home on Sunday afternoon exhausted and buzzing after having made many new friends with students with a mutual love of all things Japanese! Due to the high demand for this weekend we will be holding a second Japanese Intensive Weekend this year, on October 11 and 12. All Year 11, 12, and 13 students, either learning Japanese currently, or interested in learning Japanese, are welcome to register.
Contact Heather at hdrinnan@ipc.ac.nz
