ブックタイトルa-history-of-international-exchanges00

概要

a-history-of-international-exchanges00

- 158 -(4) Various events by organizations outside the University(ⅰ) Miyazaki Regional International Student Promotion CouncilMiyazaki Regional International Student Promotion Council was establishedin June 1990, with the purpose of promoting the smooth acceptance of foreignstudents and the active exchanges among them in Miyazaki Prefecture. Theassociation with its secretariat in MU consists of the higher educationinstitutes (10 universities and 3 vocational schools), local administrativeorganizations and volunteer groups. It carries out the exchanges betweenforeign students and local residents, including ‘Seminar of disaster measuresfor foreigners (a bus tour)’ [in October], ‘A lecture on business manners forforeign students’ [in November], ‘Japanese speech contest by the foreignersliving in Miyazaki’ [in November], etc.① Japanese speech contest (November)The Japanese speech contest had the purpose not only of improving foreignstudents’ Japanese language abilities, but also of having another look at Japanfrom foreigner’s viewpoint. In that sense, the speech contest gave theJapanese audience the valuable opportunity to think of Japan again.Therefore, this event has continued up to now by changing its title and form.At the beginning, the the title was stiff like ‘Japanese speech contest by foreignstudents in Miyazaki region.’ It had, however, a subtitle ‘a message fromforeign students.’ Then there was time when the title became ‘Let’s talk withforeign students.’ In this event, several foreign students gave keynoteaddresses on certain topics, such as ‘Japanese education (2007)’ or‘Inconvenient things we feel when we live in Japan (2008).’ Then theaudience exchanged their opinions with foreign students. After several years,the speech contest went back to the original form, with three levels: beginner’slevel, intermediate level and advanced level. Recently under the title of‘Japanese speech contest by foreign residents in Miyazaki,’ in which not onlyforeign students, but also ALTs (Assistant Language Teacher) participated.As one of the annual events for the foreign students in Miyazaki Prefecture,the speech contest became a good opportynity not only to compete for theJapanese language abilities, but also to introduce their cultures to theaudience. During the intermission, the foreign students gave a performance(songs, instrumental performance and dances) in the traditional costumes oftheir countries. In addition, the photos, drawings and other cultural items of