Fukui High School English Seminar
at Rokuroshi, March 27-29, 2007

This is my group at the seminar. I was really lucky to have such a great bunch. Not only were they wonderful English speakers, but they were also a lot of fun. Of course, it was a bit of a hen party (but I like hens!).

First, we got to know each other over a game of Math Twister.

The main event of the seminar was a debate: Japanese schools should provide a bullying-prevention program--affirmative or negative? Everyone in my group did a great job--and they did it all themselves! I'm really impressed with these young people--not just their English, but their intelligence and hard work, too. We were too busy to take many photos, but I did manage to get a nice shot of Tomoka thinking hard.

We finally got out of the building to enjoy a short hike up the mountain.

Reia, Tomoka, and Motomi
Rikishi on the way to the dojo

The highlight of the hike was an all-girl sumo match.

Chinatsu

The Dance

For me, the dance is always one of the highlights of the seminar. This year,
there was a lot more of this
than this

.

But everybody was having fun...

with Nana & Mariko
with Shoko (I think I scared her!)
with Seigen
Yuuki's a great guy--super English and always eager to pratice. I enjoyed talking to him a lot.
with Motomi and Tomoka
Mariko and Arisa
All these smart, beautiful girls--I wish I were 17 again!

The dance was fantastic, but the next day, it was time to go. Needless to say, there were cameras galore!

with Arisa
with Mariko
Shoko & Aimi
Motomi & Saori
Chisato & Emi
Seigen, Tomoe, & Tomoka -- Why's Tomoe hiding? I don't understand girls...
Tomoe
Shoko
Arisa & Tomoka
Chiemi (l.) and Rika (the one in the middle who isn't a huge white guy) came back to tell us about FESS
with Motomi
Now THAT's a cute smile!
Just friends--but cute!