2021 Volume 9 Issue 2 Pages 10-21
International students studying in Japan can undertake a variety of culture-related classes at their host university or institution in order to increase their linguistic and intercultural skills. This report looks at the operation of the practical component of culture-focused classes, which ideally takes the students out of the classroom and places them in authentic environments to undertake instruction in Japanese art forms. International students, host institution students, and facilitators can benefit from these programs, which in themselves require careful planning, close monitoring, cultural sensitivity, and logistical work. The author’s experience in facilitating such a program at a university in Osaka forms the background from which salient issues, program insights, and principles relating the program contents to their implementation are reported. It is hoped that this report will assist institutions in forming, operating, or renewing their culture-focused programs.
