Nagasaki University meeting

Nagasaki University meeting
Originally uploaded by Tracey Petruff.

We were fortunate to be able to meet with sereral influential people at Nagasaki University. The American teachers (after taking off our shoes before we entered the meeting) spoke with the Dean of Education and several other teachers, students, and administrators about perceptions of American and Japanese education. Some points I found interesting to note: in general, education is seen as being VERY important to Japanese parents and students; low birth rate in Japan is providing for fewer teaching positions; students who are falling behind have to attend "cram schools"; schools don't have guidance counselors (but some will be getting some in January); immense pressure for students to succeed on entrance exams (for high school and college); Japanese are implementing environmental education based on their observation of such programs in the U.S.
At the conclusion of our visit, the university presented us with a gift of a little ceramic cup made by special education students.