In recent years, Japan has witnessed a heavy rise in foreign students. Having foreign students in the classroom has the benefit of learning alongside perspectives from several countries.
However, students from other nations often face several difficulties in coping with their classmates. They often feel left out or simply cannot connect with the other students because of the difference in the culture and most importantly their native language.
This is where teachers come in, they act as the bridge helping the students to feel comfortable and easily integrate into the classes. They first start by making them feel welcome and give full attention to their small unique needs.
Strategies Tokyo International High School teachers use to help out foreign students
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Provide Local Guidance to the Transfer Students
Students from abroad often are interested in learning the customs and the culture of their host country. It makes them feel comfortable and also adds to their cultural enrichment. Teachers help them in experiencing the local lifestyle.
Teachers arrange trips to local hangouts, introduce them to local foods, and explain the tradition and culture of Japan. This helps students to communicate better with their peers.
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Guide Students with On and Off-Campus Opportunities
It is more likely for an international student to find opportunities to become more involved with the school. However, some Japan School students are introverted and easily get swamped by the newness of the culture.
The educators aid them with proper guidance and encouragement. They check the students’ interests and guide them in finding relevant activities to help them be more confident. Teachers often organize an after-school club for students to participate in class-related activities and projects.
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Group Them with Students who can Mentor them
It is not possible for the teachers to always provide attention personally to just one student. Hence, schools have formed culture-based mentoring initiatives. Teachers recruit students who can provide suitable mentoring to international students and form a companionship.
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A Small Welcome Gift
Instructors often welcome International Students to Tokyo International High School with a welcome package. The package typically contains stationery items, gift cards, a USB flash drive and many such small necessary items.
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Helps them Overcome Language Barrier
Many times students face difficulty in expressing themselves. Despite being fluent in the primary spoken language in the school, students struggle as they need to translate every single bit of information in their mind.
Teachers help them fight this challenge, they arrange important notes from lectures and translate them into a language comfortable for the students.
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Helps them to Communicate Better
It is often seen that international Japan School students often struggle with cognitively hard written communication. So, teachers give time to non-native students to revise written materials and guide them if they face any difficulty in the process.
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Encourages them to Participate as a Speaker
Some students from different countries find participating in regular class discussions tough, due to language barriers. They cannot simply blurt out whatever comes to their mind.
So teachers encourage them to participate in live discussions by allowing them to use their native language, mixed language, or the commonly spoken one in the classroom.
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Teachers Learn About the Culture and Tradition of the Students
Tokyo International High School teachers research their students’ backgrounds to learn their traditions and cultures. This helps them to tailor their teaching style that fits their students’ needs. A simple traditional wish by the teachers cheers them up and makes them feel comfy.
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Describing through Visual Illustrations
Mentors use pictures and videos to explain a certain concept. So, even if a student is not fluent in the primary language, they can still understand what the teacher is explaining. A non-English speaker may not know the difference between being sad and being heartbroken. Using pictures helps them to spot the dissimilarity.
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Insists students use their Cultures as an example in Discussions
Japan School teachers encourage the students to share their experiences if they relate to a lesson. Creating these linkages helps them comprehend and articulate their concepts more clearly. High school teachers encourage international students to be active and engaged in a class discussion which helps them to handle communication barriers.
Conclusion
Students often shut themselves down if they cannot connect properly with the new environment. It is really important to make them feel connected. Knowing the local culture and food habits can help them adjust to their new surroundings.
Tokyo International High School’s academic instructors help them with their valuable insights and guide them through the difficulties they face regarding the transition. They help the students to mingle with other students and be their guide and mentor.
Students too must try to be vocal about themselves as there is no harm in being wrong at something. A small step can make a huge difference in breaking language and cultural barriers which can help them to gain more knowledge and learn different perspectives.
