Report of the “Foreigners as Residents in Japan” practical training program for the agency for cultural affairs and future challenges raised in the trainirg serninars

The Centre for International Research and Education at Mie University delivered two practical trainings, “Training Lectures for Volunteer Japanese Teachers at Mie University” from October to March in 2007 and October to February in 2008. The series of lectures were delivered under the Japanese Language Education Program “Foreigners as Residents in Japan” on behalf of the Agency for Cultural Affairs in cooperation with Hisai International Friendship Association and a Brazilian school “Apoio Mie”. After completing the training, our evaluation found that there was a significant effect on the volunteers. The evaluation also suggested that there are important benefits as a result of carrying out this training. As a result of this support, we were able to cultivate high quality volunteer teachers. In the future, we wish to continue to cultivating Japanese teachers who can then go on to act as leaders in helping to build a peaceful multi-cultural symbiotic society in collaboration with local communities