SeiJo English

English Camp 2012

Malcolm Swanson — Sun, 13 May 2012 00:55:24 +0000

Once again we held our annual English Camp for Year 1 and 2 students. This year we also had visitors from NMIT in New Zealand, Winchester University in England, and Royal Roads and VIU in Canada. WE had two days of glorious weather as we traveled to Kuju in central Kyushu. On the way, we stopped at Mt Takasaki in Oita before finally getting to Kuju Kogen Cottage—the resort we would be using for the camp. After a quick lunch, we had an opening ceremony, followed by an International Fair where students could interview our visitors about their schools. After a little free time. we all sat down to a delicious BBQ dinner, followed by our skit performance. All the classes, visitors and teachers put on skits, many of which were hilarious. The next morning we completed a postcard writing activity and a goal setting activity before lunch. Then, after lunch we drove to Taketa to eat Japanese confectionary at a traditional shop and explored the shopping area. Finally, we reboarded the buses for the long trip back. A very busy, but fun two days!

English Lecture 3, 2012

Malcolm Swanson — Wed, 02 May 2012 02:21:11 +0000

English on the Job

with Susannah Bradley

July 19 – 16:20–17:50 in Room 6206

I started working part-time while I was a high school student. I followed a winding career path before taking up full-time employment with Pyramid Educational Consultants, an international firm. After working there for eighteen months, I was named Director of Operations for Japan. I will share the typical tasks I perform at work and the educational and employment background that made me ready to carry them out. I want to challenge any wrong ideas you might have about what it’s like to be raised bilingually, and about the job of a director in an international company.

For more information on our lectures, see the full list [link].

English Lecture 2, 2012

Malcolm Swanson — Wed, 02 May 2012 02:18:46 +0000

Britain: Four Viewpoints

with Gemma Peele. Alice Grimwood, Sophie Temple, & Joanna May (plus our Study Abroad students)

June 21 – 16:20–17:50 in Room 6206

Our visiting Winchester University students will each give a presentation on topics of special interest to them. This is a wonderful opportunity to learn about the culture and lifestyles of the British people. We will also have some presentations from our students who studied in the UK last semester.

For more information on our lectures, see the full list [link].

English Lecture 1, 2012

Malcolm Swanson — Wed, 02 May 2012 02:15:35 +0000

Tomoko Uezono

Sharing the Gift of English with your Children

with Tomoko Uezono

May 24 – 16:20–17:50 in Room 6206

I am not a native speaker, and neither is my husband. However, I have three children whose English is very good. After I experienced living in the States, I came to the conclusion that knowing English helps people a lot more than I had imagined. So, I decided to help them to learn English here in Japan. Learning a language means not only learning the words, but also learning its culture . Learning language means not only learning with your brain, but also feeling it with your senses. I am going to tell you how I built up an English environment for my children and for myself.

For more information on our lectures, see the full list [link].

Welcome to our Winchester students…

Malcolm Swanson — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 01:32:29 +0000

This week, our final 3 Winchester University students arrived to join Gemma Peele. Alice Grimwood, Sophie Temple, and Joanna May will be with us for the next few months, soaking up Japanese culture and studying language education at Seinan. Please talk to them if you see them on campus!

Joanna, Sophie, Gemma, and Alice enjoying their new home

iPads in the classroom

Malcolm Swanson — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 03:46:56 +0000

Today was our first chance to begin using the iPads in the classroom. Class 1c used their Oral English time to get to know the tablet computers and begin using them for classwork. After a quick orientation (most students already know how to use them), we started with a video lesson. Previously we had shown the course video on a television and had all watched it at the same pace before doing the activities. Now on the iPads, the students could watch the videos as many times as they wished, going back to the relevant sections to get the answers. We finished up with a videoed interview activity. Here are some photos . . .

Good bye Lina!!

Malcolm Swanson — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 05:25:28 +0000

Lina Maksymuk dropped by school today with her family for a farewell visit. They will be moving to England at the end of this week. We are sad to say good-bye to her, but wish them all the best for the future.

e-Learning and 6208 upgrade

Malcolm Swanson — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 05:19:47 +0000

This year we are using a new e-Learning system called “CHIeru” and over the next few weeks we will be holding orientations on how to use it (see below). Monday was our Year 1 students’ chance to use the new system. We were also able to use the new computer system in Room 6208.

Orientation sessions will be held in Room 6208 at these times:

4/19 – 12:00-12:40
4/19 – 16:20-17:00
4/25 – 16:20-17:00

All students who have yet to do an orientation must attend one of these sessions.

Hanami and Haiku event

Malcolm Swanson — Sat, 07 Apr 2012 23:59:25 +0000

On Saturday, April 7 we held our annual “Hanami and Haiku” event for all our Year 1 students to get to know each other and meet some of the older students. Prof. David McMurray from Kagoshima International University led us through a workshop on writing haiku in English.

Here are some photos from the event, and you can see more on our FaceBook page.

Staff changes

Malcolm Swanson — Fri, 06 Apr 2012 00:19:50 +0000

Miki Tsukamoto

This year we have a new full-time faculty member, Ms. Miki Tsukamoto. We’re very happy to have her join us, and are looking forward to working with her. Her office is on the 5th floor of Building 8.

We are very sad that Lina Maksymuk is leaving us. She’ll be moving to England with her family this month. Ken Gibson, who many of you know from Hanami events and English Lectures, will be replacing her.

This year will be Prof. Hashimoto’s final year as he will retire next March. We will be sorry to lose him, as he has a long and distinguished history with our school.