Tokai University European Center (TUEC) Japanese Language Education Workshop Spring 2013

Afterword

TATEOKA, Yoko

In late April 2013, my dream of visiting Tokai University European Center was finally fulfilled. For many years I had felt drawn to Denmark for its educational and social systems. This attraction probably stems largely from my time at Tokai University where I had the opportunity, at university anniversaries and other such formal occasions, to hear Dr. Shigeyoshi Matsumae express his thoughts on Denmark and his motivation for establishing the European Center. And even though I know little of Denmark’s folk high schools, it was inspiring to hear about concepts such as ”learning to live,” ”education for life,” and ”living is learning,” and my interest in the country has steadily grown. My visit to Denmark only lasted for a few days, and in this short window of time I was offered no more than a brief glimpse inside. However, for me as a first-time visitor to Denmark, the experience had a significant impact. This was in large part due to the much appreciated comments and explanations about Danish society and culture received from the staff at Tokai University European Center, starting with Director Fusato Taniguchi and extending to Mr. Takayuki Yamamoto and Mr. Jakob Skyt Jensen. I would like to offer my sincerest thanks for this support.

During the workshop, I had the opportunity of meeting with Japanese language teachers from various Nordic countries, and hearing about Japanese language education at their respective institutions. This was very rewarding. In the Nordic region where there are no large-scale events aimed at the field of Japanese language education, the workshops arranged by the European Center semiannually are cherished opportunities for teachers to meet and discuss topics related to their field, as well as to enjoy each other’s company. I am deeply grateful to Director Fusato Taniguchi and his staff at Tokai University European Center for making this possible.

After returning home to Japan, the lingering effects of my “Denmark syndrome” continued for some time, and I found myself looking critically at my surroundings. Does the local supermarket really need to stay open all-night with its bright lights glaring around the clock? And, is really it not more of an imposition to have package delivery services make home deliveries so late in the evening? Recently, though, the effects of the “Denmark syndrome” have lessened. Hopefully, I will get the chance to visit the country again. In closing, I would like to express my gratitude for receiving the opportunity to participate in this workshop.

• Tateoka, Y. (2013, April 27-28). “Designing Processes for Collaborative Learning: Collaborative Reading in the Classroom.” Tokai University European Center (TUEC) Japanese Language Education Workshop (Denmark, Vedbæk: TUEC). [Report: PDF]