HomeMy WebLinkAboutHilo High and Kumejima High V-PAL ExchangeV-PAL
HILO HIGH SCHOOL - KUMEJIMA HIGH SCHOOL
The V-PAL program, a pioneering venture in
educational innovation, initiated its journey with
Hilo High School in Hawai'i County and Kumejima
High School in Japan as its first participants. This
collaboration involved 14 students from both
schools, engaging in a five-month cultural and
linguistic exchange from January to May 2022.
Through the use of Zoom, these students met
virtually once a month, diving into discussions
about their cultures, differences, and similarities,
underlining the program's commitment to
fostering understanding and language skills in
English and Japanese.
Recognizing the challenges of speaking a foreign
language, V-PAL encouraged communication in
any comfortable language, with peers assisting in
translations. This approach significantly eased the
pressure associated with language learning,
emphasizing mutual support and learning.
Additionally, the LINE app facilitated ongoing
interactions among students, allowing them to
share daily activities and experiences, thus
strengthening friendships and extending the
program's impact beyond the monthly meetings.
The V-PAL program exemplifies educational
innovation, offering students a platform for
language learning, cultural exchange, and the
formation of global friendships. This initiative
between Hilo and Kumejima High Schools has set
a strong foundation for future exchanges,
promoting language proficiency, cultural
awareness, and a deeper global understanding.
Introductory meeting with Mayor Mitch Roth
January 2022 Topic: New Year Resolution
February 2022 Topic: Valentine’s Day
March 2022 Topic: Graduation and Future Plans April 2022 Topic: Mythology
STUDENT SURVEY
NOAH S, OKLAHOMA
04
What are your thoughts on the V-PAL Program?
たしかったです！ It was fun
楽しかったです！でも、⾃分の英語⼒が落ちてることを痛感しました It was fun. But I felt my
English skills are not as good as used to be.
緊張してあまり話せなかったけど，ハワイの⾼校⽣と交流ができて嬉しかった I was so nervous
that I could not talk so much. Happy to interact with students from Hawaii.
It was a pretty cool opportunity to speak and listen to Japanese speakers although I
wish I got more Japanese in there.
Very fun and interesting!
もっと話したかったけどあまり盛り上がらなかった。 I wish I could have talked more, but it
did not pick upstreams.
What do you want to get out of this virtual exchange program？
コミュニケーション⼒を⾼めたいです。 I want to improve my communication skills.
久⽶島⾼校の⽣徒は英語、コナワエナ⾼校の⽣徒は⽇本語で交流する！⽇常⽣活を英語で説明で
きるようになる！！ Kumejima high students use English and Konawaena uses Japanese
during the activities. Hope to be able to use English in everyday life.
英語を使って⾃分の考えを⾔えるようになりたい I want to be able to express my thoughts
in English.
I want to challenge my Japanese listening comprehension. I really really want to work
on my Japanese and be able to speak more of it but I find it very difficult on my own so I
hope through this program I can grow a little more. I also get really nervous when I have
to speak Japanese out loud to other people so I hope to improve and get less nervous
I want to challenge my own writing/typing and reading skills in Japanese. Particularly
my kanji.
外国に友達を作る I want to make friends abroad.