We are three quarters of the way through our first term and our new students have settled to a new routine, made many new friends and improved their language skills. Since we have started the Monday and Wednesday “English Speaking Days”, we have noticed how many more people offer a “Good Morning or Good Afternoon” when they meet the teachers and admin in the halls and classrooms. All the teachers have commented on how cheery and upbeat you are which makes our work with you so much more pleasant.

Our focus this edition is on communication. You will note that Chairman Sano emphasizes the importance of talking actively with different people to exchange ideas and opinions. He recently spent some time in discussion with some of our KTW writers and I think they were all having a very good time. Take a look at some of the pictures shot by Chris Fuller and judge for yourself.

You might think that intercultural communication is only between people of different nationalities but we have students here at KIFL that come from all over Japan. Their experiences and upbringing might be quite different from yours and as you continue to study together, you will learn from each other. I have heard my own students say how much they have gained by sharing information with their classmates.

Are our students thinking more? Most companies say that they want the students who graduate from KIFL to have the ability to look at a problem from a deeper perspective (viewpoint) and to be able to think logically before making decisions. Take a moment and go to the Bulletin Board. I think you will be impressed with what some second year students had to say after they recently watched a BBC report on the language conflict between the French and Flemish speakers of Belgium.
Caroline Dashtestani, Editor KTW