Holiday Cultural Exchange

Oya No Kai and our partners in Japan (ISECE and Tatsu-Semi) invite you to share your holiday traditions with teachers in Japan and learn about their Japanese New Year traditions in a Zoom cultural exchange over winter break. 

When: Sign up for a time on Dec. 25 and Jan. 2 or 3. Each exchange will be about 45 minutes. We are looking for as many families as possible to volunteer by Friday, Dec. 18.

Where: Your house on Zoom 

Why: We really miss our Japanese teaching interns this year, and we know you do, too. Our partner organization in Japan, ISECE, is still recruiting teachers to come to our schools in 2021. Until then, we hope to connect Japanese teachers with Portland families to encourage cultural exchange and language practice. These exchanges also will help promote the PPS Japanese Dual Language Immersion program in Japan and recruit future teachers.  

How it works: Oya No Kai and ISECE will match your family with one or more Japanese teachers. At the designated time on Dec. 25, you will log on to Zoom, show them your decorations, and talk about your traditions. Portland students are encouraged to speak in Japanese as much as possible. (Simple phrases are OK!) The same Japanese guests will host your Portland family and share their Japanese holiday traditions in English on Jan. 2 or 3. Most of them teach English in Japan and are part of a study group called Tatsu-Semi. 

Questions: Email info@oyanokai.org