Participants  

"The great thing about the staff at the Japan Foundation was that they were very quick to recognise where I was at in my learning and then structured their lessons accordingly. They changed the learning to suit our abilities and styles for the upcoming events and the preparation was very informative which made sure we were totally prepared."

Darren Kerr, Masterton Intermediate School, Masterton, April 2007

"Japan was like nothing I could have ever imagined and better than I had hoped for!  The intensive language programme has fueled my desire to further my study of Japanese and has instilled a new passion when I teach my own students."

Emily Hartwig, Murray's Bay Intermediate School, Auckland, April 2007

"The language programme was extremely beneficial, I learnt so much during my time there. Our classes were always so vibrant and noisy (because of us) though I would call it 'enthusiastic learners'. The classes were informative yet challenging and this allowed a lot of personal development within the language and culture."

Joelle Walker, Edgecumbe Primary School, Edgecumbe, April 2007

 
"The impact that this trip has had on me will certainly infiltrate into my teaching and classroom practice. I think ultimately it has stirred my enthusiasm for Japanese language and culture, having experienced it first hand."

Angela Pedder, Raroa Intermediate School, Wellington, April 2006

 
"I now have a greater insight into how polite Japanese people truly are! There are also very distinct differences between polite and informal variations of the language which I wasn't aware of before."

Rob Boomer, Motueka South School, Motueka, April 2006

"It has been one of the highlights in my 30 years of teaching. Although I found the communicative language challenging, it has made me more determined to continue with my Nihongo and learn more about Japan's unique culture."

Mitch Dieudonne, St Joseph's School, Lyttleton, April 2006

Photos