2024.03.19

Nagaoka University of Technology organized an international exchange event “Let’s talk in English with international students!” and supported by our international students.

We held an international exchange event “Let’s talk in English with international students!” with a view to exchange between Nagaoka Municipal Nakanoshima Chuo Elementary School (Nakanoshima CES) and international students. The event took place on Wednesday, February 28. This event was held at the request of Nakanoshima CES and in line with suggestions made by our student organization, Student SDGs Promoters. The aim was to deepen mutual understanding and interest in foreign cultures through foreign language learning.

This third round of the program involved approximately 130 fifth- and sixth-grade students from Nakanoshima CES, Student SDGs Promoters, and 10 international students from five countries (Sri Lanka, Belgium, Pakistan, Viet Nam, and Mexico). Participants were divided into 10 groups, with fifth graders introducing themselves and explaining their special skills and the prefectures they would like to visit, and sixth graders introducing themselves and explaining the town they live in, their memories of elementary school life, and their dreams for the future. International students introduced themselves using PowerPoint presentations, and talked about their home countries and University.

After the exchange, fifth graders commented, “I learned that Pakistan has the second-highest mountain in the world,” “I really wanted to try the food from overseas after hearing about it,” and “I enjoyed their nice, easy teaching style.” The sixth graders were asked by the teacher if their ability to communicate in English had improved since the international exchange they did in the fifth grade, and many of them responded that they were able to communicate better.

As a hub university for SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure), We will continue to cooperate with elementary schools and local government to conduct support activities to increase interest in overseas countries and contribute to the achievement of SDG 4 (Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all) and a world where “No one left behind.”