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 English Students Must be
Active
 Students study English at the Kentan for two years.
During those two years, they study English communication, too. But
actually they spend too much time speaking Japanese in their few
communication classes with native speakers. In this situation, will
their ability improve and can students be satisfied with their
progress?
Communication class is required of students. This class focuses on
speaking and listening activities. We can learn from native speaking
teachers of English how to communicate in English in this class.
Yet many students are dissatisfied with the present situation. They
think they should learn English conversation more and have more
talking times in English. Indeed, students want, above all else, to
develop their ability for speaking English.
Although most students want to be able to speak English very well,
they speak Japanese in communication classes. And most students feel
this situation can't be helped. Very few students wish to actively
oppose the use of Japanese in English classes.
But if they continue to do so, their English speaking skills can not
improve; students must be more active if they want to speak
English well. For example, they should try to pronounce
correctly, ask questions to the teacher in English, and so on.
Perhaps it is difficult for students to be active because of the size
of classes, and that all of the students are Japanese. If there are
about 10 students in one class, they can ask many questions to their
teacher in English and it is easy for teachers to teach in English.
If there are some foreign students in the class, Japanese students
can speak English with them. If it is a reality, students' speaking
skills should improve.
Another effective way to improve communication skills is to study
abroad. Studying abroad at the Kentan takes advantage of summer
vacation. But only some students take part in it, perhaps because of
the monetary problem. In fact, the expense of studying abroad is not
cheap, but it isn't an insurmountable problem if they have a strong
will to go.
Most students think that the Kentan needs more foreign teachers.
Having more would certainly give students more chances to talk with
native speakers. It's very exciting for students to have such
chances. Students are otherwise satisfied with the teachers of the
English Department.
Most students at the Kentan are not satisfied with the improvement of
their communication skills. Some of them think that the situation
can't be helped. Others want to change the situation. Perhaps
these students realize that the most important change is to change
themselves and to study English actively.
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 Are Students Active in
Activities?
Kentan
students, especially English Department students, seem not be active
for school events and clubs. For example, most students joined Sports
Day, the School Festival and English Day, but not all of them enjoyed
these events. Also, few students belong to clubs. This may be because
almost all students have part-time jobs or go out with their friends
after school.
Sports Day
Eighty percent of students joined Sports Day. This isn't a bad
figure, but why did 20% of students not join? One of the reasons is
that Sports Day is held on Friday. If a student were absent, they
could have a three-day weekend. So students are apt to think of being
absent. Also, the events that students participate in are decided
suddenly, so they have no time to practice. Perhaps for that reason,
they cannot enjoy the day from the bottom of their hearts.
If we want Sports Day to be livened up, it should be held in the
middle of the week, and students need time to practice.
School Festival
The School Festival is held for three days in November. Students
invite musicians who are expected to be popular in the near future.
Students hold a karaoke competition. Some classes have shops to sell
something. Many outside people join in the festival. Some are boys
who long for a girls' school and the others are children with their
parents. On the whole, the School Festival looks lively.
But students are not satisfied with the School Festival. All students
join the festival, but generally are not active. For example, some
classes don't have shops. Most shops are restaurants that are not
very original. Students want to enjoy the festival, but they expect
someone else to do something to make it exciting. Even if they have a
good idea, they don't express it.
English Day
English Day is a good opportunity for students to try out their
English ability. Ninety-percent of students take part in the event,
where many foreigners visit the Kentan to share information about the
different cultures. Students are required to participate. English Day
is held two times a year, with two formats. The first time, the
guests only give presentations. The second time, students also give
presentations.
Students don't seem to enjoy English Day from the bottom of their
hearts. Some students were able to communicate with the foreigners,
so they got confidence in their English. More students could not have
a good conversation, so they lost confidence. Of course for these
students, the day might not seem fun.
Clubs
A few students are involved in clubs. For example, photography, tea
ceremony, tennis, and the English Speaking Society (ESS).
Particularly, the ESS club is connected with English, so most of the
club members are students of the English Department. They hear
special lectures, take trips, and are now practicing a drama. This is
the only student club that students of the English Department take an
active part in.
The main reason that most students are not active in clubs is
part-time jobs. Most students have part-time jobs. If the day of the
club falls on the one of their job, students can't go. Some students
disappear from the club gradually.
But clubs have some very good points for students. They can make
friends from different departments. Moreover, they can enjoy college
life more fully.
Even when students seem to be enjoying themselves in school events,
it's not always the case. But the key to fully enjoying school life
is to actively participate in the various opportunities given to
students.
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 Are Students Active in
Activities?
It's
the school cafeteria that all students are interested in. So
whether students spend a good school day depends on the
cafeteria. Are they satisfied with the cafeteria? What are they
hoping for?
Most students seem dissatisfied with the current menu. Surely the
staff of the cafeteria plans the menu to please the students, but
students compare the cafeteria with the popular restaurants
located nearby (Aoyama Park, Gusto, Yoshinoya, etc.) and may
search off campus for their favorite food.
Most students complain about the taste. And many students complain
about the volume of the meals. Today young people are particular
about food, so it is hard for the staff of the cafeteria to meet the
students' expectations.
It seems that a lot of students want to change the cafeteria's menu.
They say that they will eat the cafeteria's food then. They also
request to add deserts. For example, cake, ice cream, chocolate
parfait, and so on. If these deserts are added, a lot of students
will use the cafeteria.
Most students want to lower the price of food in the cafeteria.
Because they live alone, they have to think well about the money they
use. They would be very much obliged if the prices for their lunch
are cheaper.
Many students and teachers always are in the cafeteria at lunch time.
There is a second floor section, too, which is also crowded.
Therefore, most students feel the cafeteria area is not large enough,
and the number of chairs are also not enough. If this is the case,
students cannot expect a good lunch time.
Kentan students aren't satisfied with the cafeteria's size, number of
chairs, taste and price. And they want to improve it. Even though
this improvement will cost much money, it should be handled
positively, accepting students' voices.
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