As part of the study visit for Al Ya’lu Superior Elementary School, the winner of the 2023 SEAMEO-Japan ESD Award, supported by MEXT, Japan in cooperation with UNESCO Bangkok, we had the opportunity to visit Shimo-Fukuda Elementary School, a public primary school in Kanagawa Prefecture. The students gave us a warm and heartfelt welcome.
What we saw today was the authentic atmosphere of a Japanese classroom. There were no high-tech gadgets—students still used blackboards, pencils, crayons, paintbrushes, and paper books to create and learn. Unlike modern classrooms equipped with TVs or other technologies, Japanese classrooms kept it simple. The only exception was that each student had their own laptop, which was used primarily to bridge the language barrier. Using translation programmes, the Japanese students communicated with their Indonesian visitors in real time.
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Fifth graders from Class 3 were enthusiastic in their efforts to engage with their new friends from Indonesia. They grouped together to introduce Japanese culture, language, and interesting facts about Japan, including how to use chopsticks. Some students even created large illustrations on paper to explain Japanese traditions. Both Japanese and Indonesian students were excited to share knowledge, culture, and experiences, overcoming any language barriers through the use of technology and creativity.
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We believe this experience will open the door to global citizenship for both Japanese and Indonesian students, creating bonds that transcend borders.
(Reposted from SEAMEO Secretariat)
