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Home My WebLink AboutTimes Advocate, 1994-06-29, Page 28Page 28 Times -Advocate, June 29, 1994 Japanese culture comes to the classroom in Hensall Visiting teacher helps students learn about Japan By Catherine O'Brien T -A staff HENSALL - Anyone visiting Hensall Public School recently might have been a bit surprised to hear students greeting each other in Japanese. But it was all part of internship program that the school was taking part in. For the past two months visiting Japanese teacher Makiko Hirata has been helping students learn about different world cultures. Hirata has visited classrooms, not only in Hensall, but other schools in the area, helping students learn about Japanese culture and food as well as team Japanese words and spelling. "I wanted to learn English," Hir- ata said of her reason for taking part in the Japanese School Intern- ship Piograrn. The Japanese set up the internship program in 1979 and has sponsored several thousand professional exchanges between Ja- pan and other countries including Canada, the United States, Aus- tralia, New Zealand, Great Britain just to name a few. After retiring from teaching, Hir- ata finally had the time to con- centrate on learning English. This is her first time to Canada although she has travelled to the United States and Australia with similar programs. Since arriving in the country in March, Hirata has been staying with Hensall teacher Doris Becker at her home in Grand Bend. Dur- ing the day Hirata helps out the school wherever possible. For the students, Becker says, they get a kick out of doing Jap- anese crafts - especially oragami. "They also enjoy the quizzes on Japanese culture," Becker said. Although language is a bit of a When talking about education barrier, Becker said communication Hirata said she likes the way the hasn't been too much of a problem- students here are encouraged to As well, Hirata has had to cope think things out and explore ideas, with the difference in weather con- 'not just memorize facts.' ditions and population. The former high school teacher Her fust reaction to the country also said in Japan children in ek- was, "it's so colo and there's no mentary , schools can't wear ear- rings. And they go to school sit Hirata has also noticed difference days a week - although Saturday is in the school systems. a half day. people. Although Hirata is &caving for home in July, she said she enjoyed her stay in Canada and riot only brushed up on English. but earned bit about our culture. "k's riot enough to study about other people, but to communicate with them in order to understand their culture," she said. Visiting teacher Makiko Hirata helps students at Hensall Public School make origami. • HC Library sponsors summer reading program GODERICH - The official arri- val of summer signals the begin- ning of the Huron County Library Summer Reading Program. The 1994 program will be con- tinuing oo-tinuing with last summer's suc- cessful theme 'Trade Up" to the Book Leagues." To fit in with our sports theme various branches will award chil- dren with Author Trading Cards when they read a certain number~, of books. Similar to baseball cards, au- thor cards contain the author's photograph, vital statistics and a list of his or her most recent hits '. Some branches will also have special draws for prizes. Traci Tryon, the Program Co- ordinator, will visit the branches several times throughout the sum- mer for one hour programs packed hull of stories. gam. sodas. a.d crafts. ibis program is sponsored by the Hums County Library and the 1994 Challenge Sumner Em- ployments Experience through the Department of Em- ployment ape Immigration Cana- da. You don't have to be a sports fanatic to be involved_ All children ages 5 to 12 are in- vited to participated at Exeter Branch Library, Monday July 4 to August 15, 2 p.m_. Centralia Branch Library, Tuesday July 26, 2:30 p.m. Hensall Branch Li- brary. Thursday July 7 to 21, Au- gust 4 & 11, 7 p.m. Kirkton Branch Library, Tuesday July 5 and 19, August 9 and 16.4 p.m. Visit your local public library for more details. • U PICK -CUE Mix 12 4P 7PVSai3Sun-fl1111bt2rnt3to5Pll Children.welcome with supervision Ready picked available... Call ahead for freezer quantities Call for crop update! TES F4�M OPEN 9 to Z Mon. to Fri., 9 to 6 Sat. 8 Sun. RR it t Bayf;e4d On tvOtit tG0 Wholesale and Recti Ted aidENTO (519) 482-3020 *oder vvouden NEW FOR '94 Our Perennial Display Garden is a mum to see al various times of doe year! "Beautifying Huron County Since 1981' ANNUALS, HANGING BASKETS HANGING BAGS AND GERANIUMS 4. ALL ON SALE!!! • �: • ANADA DA EBRATI 1 OF SAVI 3 • LY • • • Olt Wed. T Main St. 0, July 2 e Fine Furniture, `lr Flooring and Window Fashions EXETER G E 235-0173