Course Description: This course gives students the opportunity to deepen their knowledge of Japanese language and culture from the perspective of social justice and responsibility through their community service. Students develop advanced level communication skills through discussions, reflection essays, and presentations. Taught in Japanese.
MLOs: This course meets MLO 1
Reflective Narrative: In this course we had the opportunity to teach at schools around Monterey County. We were in groups of at least four people and had to create lesson plans and write reflections on our lessons and the class readings. I had the opportunity to work with students at Ord Terrace Elementary School located in Seaside, California. I completed a total of 31 hours at the school teaching the students about the Japanese language and culture. We thought being able to teach these children about a different culture other than their own was important because many young children do not have the opportunity to learn about other cultures. I believe it is important for people to be taught the importance of being aware of other cultures important. Through working with the students I was able to recognize and meet service learning outcome 1, which is Social and Self Awareness by analyzing my own assumptions, values, and stereotypes. I also learned while serving Ord Terrace Elementary School because I was able to work with many different children.
Service learning outcome 2 is, Service and Social Responsibility. When going to the elementary school I was able to reflect on how my service will possibly impact the children in a positive way. Many of the students here have never learned about Japanese culture, so I was able to convey the importance of being culturally aware and diverse in today's society. I was also able to teach the importance of community relationships and how relationships can affect the society as a whole. Many of these children have never been around people of different cultures then their own as many of them were Latino, so teaching them the importance of community relationships with people of different cultures was very crucial. I was also able to connect this experience with service learning outcome 3, which is Community and Social Justice. I was able to analyze and examine the demographics of the area and I was able to recognize some inequities in the community. The main thing I noticed was that this elementary school looked as if it did not have much funding. Some of the desks and classrooms were worn down and I also noticed that many of the students did not have access to supplies while in school.
As I was able to learn, I hope the children at Ord Terrace Elementary School were able to learn as well. Service learning outcome 4 is, Multicultural Community Building/Civic Engagement. I am hoping that I was able to pass on some intercultural communication skills to the children through teaching them about the Japanese language and culture. We felt at the end that we were able to positively convey the importance of being culturally diverse and sensitive to the children of Ord Terrace Elementary School. We encourage them to continue studying Japanese possibly at CSUMB because they seemed to enjoy the culture and language just as much as we do.
Service learning outcome 2 is, Service and Social Responsibility. When going to the elementary school I was able to reflect on how my service will possibly impact the children in a positive way. Many of the students here have never learned about Japanese culture, so I was able to convey the importance of being culturally aware and diverse in today's society. I was also able to teach the importance of community relationships and how relationships can affect the society as a whole. Many of these children have never been around people of different cultures then their own as many of them were Latino, so teaching them the importance of community relationships with people of different cultures was very crucial. I was also able to connect this experience with service learning outcome 3, which is Community and Social Justice. I was able to analyze and examine the demographics of the area and I was able to recognize some inequities in the community. The main thing I noticed was that this elementary school looked as if it did not have much funding. Some of the desks and classrooms were worn down and I also noticed that many of the students did not have access to supplies while in school.
As I was able to learn, I hope the children at Ord Terrace Elementary School were able to learn as well. Service learning outcome 4 is, Multicultural Community Building/Civic Engagement. I am hoping that I was able to pass on some intercultural communication skills to the children through teaching them about the Japanese language and culture. We felt at the end that we were able to positively convey the importance of being culturally diverse and sensitive to the children of Ord Terrace Elementary School. We encourage them to continue studying Japanese possibly at CSUMB because they seemed to enjoy the culture and language just as much as we do.
Ord Terrace Elementary School
![](http://www.weebly.com/weebly/images/file_icons/pdf.png)
japn_320s_community_scan.pdf | |
File Size: | 7170 kb |
File Type: |