JAPANESE
The Japanese Language Academy is a non-immersion program designed to further students understanding of the Japanese language and culture, or to introduce them to it. It is an intense three week program including several language classes, activities, field trips, and a variety of new and interesting people. This past summer, there were four language classes: two beginner classes, an intermediate class, and an advanced class. The beginning classes, taught by Sones and Still Sensei, learned the basics of the Japanese Language including hiragana, useful expressions, and simple vocabulary. The intermediate class was taught by Hino sensei. In this class, students learned basic kanji, new verb forms, and songs. In the advanced class, taught by Wakida sensei, students with previous Japanese knowledge learned kanji and in depth grammar. There was a wealth of activities available to students at JLA. Students had the opportunity to participate in lectures such as calligraphy, karate, cooking, bonsai, an academy dance, an authentic tea ceremony, flower arranging, and an Olympic style competition.
This past summer, the Japanese Language Academies, students were divided into three committees. The social committee was in charge of planning the academy dance. They also got lunches for field trips and ironed yukata for the rest of the academy. The variety show committee took care of screening and preparation for the academy variety show, Japanese Idol. The memory book committee was in charge of assembling a book filled with personal information on all of the students and photos of the JLA experience. They also put together the academy slide show.
During the three weeks at JLA, a total of 38 students from all over Virginia had the opportunity to go on several informative and interesting field trips. This included trips to Maymont Park , the Maruchan factory, a Japanese Saturday school, a Japanese restaurant, and the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts. Through various activities and classes, students at the academy grew closer together and formed friendships that will last a lifetime.
