Today, we received Max Schreiner, the student of Luxembourg Diekirsch school at Village office of Kijimadaira as the host family until 15th May. They arrived by LH714 from Munchen to Haneda on 10:30 and moved by bus to Kiijmadaira.
Welcome ceremony 歓迎式典
Village headman, The representing of Diekirisch School, and The representiong of students of Kijimadaira Junior high gave few words with the translator AET Justin. ALT ジャステン先生の通訳を介しながらの村長挨拶、ルクセンブルクディーキルシュ校の先生の挨拶、そして歓迎生徒代表挨拶(もちろん英語!)
式典終了後、各ホストファミリーのクルマに分乗していざ我が家へ。 After the ceremony, we drove to my house.
MAX SCHREINER 君 14歳。将来はお医者さんになりたいのだそうです。 今回のホームステイは3倍の競争率だったのだそうです。試験は特になかったそうですが、作文と面談で選抜された精鋭12名。 ちなみに木島平側は競争率1倍(^^)
Max Schreiner, 14years old was selected by the writing and interview among 40 students who was willing to take part in this foreign exchange.
日曜日までという限られた短い時間ですが、どうか存分に日本の生活を満喫してもらいたいものです。 Time is so short but we sincerely hope he will enjoy and experience Japanese life and culture and this environment surrounded by a lot of nature.
夕食は、豚のしょうが焼き、きのこ汁、ゆでアスパラ、野沢菜、でかまる。 Todays dinner is Grilled pork ginger, Miso soup with mashroom, boiled green asparagas, Nozawana, and premium rice ”Dekamaru” cooked by earthen pot.
シンプルなニッポンらしい家庭料理で、ささやかな宴となりました。
明日は7:15に朝食、8:15に学校集合です。 書道体験と、内山和紙紙すき体験など、盛りだくさんです。 We will have breakfast at 7:15 and take him to school on 8:15 tomorrow. Calligraphy experience in school and Papermaking experoence in craft center are scheduled tomorrow. Have a good day!
Today, Max have calligraphy experience, paper making expperience, and visited snow monkey park afternoon. After coming back to home, we went out for shopping at the supermarket BEISIA.
After that, we had dinner at Sushi restaurant together.
We met a lot of host mamily at market and sushi restaurant.
Many host family,including me, recognize those places are "Must Place" to get to know Japanese common life(^^)
People in Luxembourg speak Luxemburgish, Deutsch, French as official language. But English is also spoken usually for major foreign language. So we have communicate with Max in English.
He told us he has just started learning English just 1year ago at school as foreign language.
But!
English skill exceed completely normal Japanese has. Every Japanese have to learn English 3years at Junior high, 3years at high school, but almost all of Japanese cannot use the language for communication tool, which is caused by wrong education system from long time ago.
When I was junior high school, the first page of English text book was;
Hello, Ellen. Hello, Taro,
2nd page was
Is this a pen? No, it isnt. It's a fish.
It is not practical expression, is it?(^^)
I think Japanese do not use too complicated English we experienced at entrance exam of University, but sinple English we learn at junior high. But imortant thing is that, those English must be the communication tools, Not for tools for entrance exam.
As you know, the English I use is really simple and easy. but it is enough for communicate with others is not it?
Even if we do not understnd news paper in English, it is not inconvenient. Even if score for TOEIC is not very good, it is not inconvenient.
Most important things for Japanese is;
Listening English Speaking English Enthusiasm for communication by
Simple/Easy English we learn at junior high school.
We do not need complicated English for examination. All we need is "Really Practical" English for communications.
After school, we went to Pizza party held at community center. This party was organized by the local people in Kanoe Region of Kijimadaira. Before pizza will be ready, students enjoyed with Japanese traditional toys or ORIGAMI.
I took Max with Hidetoki by my car at 7:45 as usual. Students from Diekirch will go to middle of Nagano to visit to DAIO Wasabi Farm, and Matsumoto castle, which will be the longest trip during his stay in Kijimadaira.
After coming back to the village, they took part in Welcome/farewel party organized by the Kijimadaira village at community center, every host family join together.
I was given a opprtunity to give few words on behalf of host families without pre-notice, but I tried to deliver address both in Japanese and in Enlish. Since I was accustomed to stand on the stage and give speech in Enlish because I was the president of Eglish Speaking Society of R University in Kyoto, this occasion is a kind of "Spark joy" which reminds me of young age(^^) Thank you for giving me such rolls.
Through the party, we had a lot of conversations with other students, teachers from LCD and other host family I sincerely hope that this relationship and friendship between Luxembourg and Kijimadaira will last forever and ever, and I am really lookig forward to seeing you next time in the future.
Next, it is Haruka's turn. I hope she will do same axperience as Hidetoki's.
The Day 5 Today we spent with Max whole day because schedule is depend on each host family. After breakfast, we went to Takeuchi Farm for picking asparagas. and enjoyed Maguse Hot spring. It is very first occasion for Max taking bath at Japanese style but it would be the good experience for him.
After getting out of bath, we enjoyed soft cream made in Kijimadaira, which is one of the best one in Nagano, I believe...
From 4 PM, live concert performed by Aquamarine J-pops unit. Their numbers are related with neture, journey, space, and stars. One of their well known number, "COSMOS" composed and produced by MIMAS, the leader of this unit more than 20 years ago now became one of the most popular/familiar songs for chorus among japanese school students. Here is the COSMOS performed by Aquamarine today.
This ”COSMOS” is the chorus version by students of Kijimadaira primary school .
これははじまりだ。さようならは言わないよ。「また会おう」だ。 これを機会にKEEP IN TOUCHしよう。君も、そして君のお母さんともだ。
MAX君 オフコース!もちろんです。
近い将来、多分私は君の国を訪れることになると思うよ。そのことを心から楽しみにしているよ。
MAX君 ルクセンブルクでお会いできるのを楽しみにしています。お母さんにもそう伝えます。
花道に送られるように
そして8:55、バスは別れを惜しむようにゆっくりと木島平村役場を後にしました。
また会おう。必ず。(^^)
Day6 Today is the day they leave this village. We took Max to the village office to take part in send-off party with all family member and with some our regular guest at 8:15.
Some people crying because host gamily miss them but I told Max;
We are so lucky to see you. This is just beginning. So I will say "See you next time" in stead of "Good bye" I am looking forward to seeing you at Luxembourg in the near future. Please keep in touch with each other from now on !!
OK! OK! Of course!! Max said.
We wish you a pleasant journey in Tokyo and to Luxembourg..