Congratulations go out to Ron Coreau,
long-time employee at UCFV on being
named the new Continuing Education
Director. In announcing his appointment,
Dean Karen Evans said, “I know you all
share my confidence in Ron’s abilities,
both professionally and personally, to lead
the Continuing Education department
through the next few challenging years.” A
complete profile on Ron’s career at UCFV
will be featured in a future edition of
Headlines.

Admissions & Records

offices
| in Chilliwack and Abbotsford
° will be closed

~ Wednesday, October 14
and .

Wednesday, October 21 .

" To allow for an upgrade to the
Banner system.

Please call Bill Cooke at local
4393 or Rory Kine at local 4394,
if you have any questions or
concerns.

Headlines/October 14, 1998

Teaching English in Japan Rewarding

Jon Shanks, of International Education,
recently returned from teaching English at
Takushoku University, Hokkaido
Community College in Fukagawa, Japan.

The following is an excerpt from his report

to the British Columbia Grants Scholars,
Colleges and Institutes committee.

“My experiences in Fukagawa were
rewarding. I enjoyed my varied teaching
assignments and the working environment
at the community college. Interacting with
faculty, students administrators and local _
people proved to be the highlight of my
stay. People were welcoming, kind,
supportive and friendly. The time in
Fukagawa was one of personal and
professional growth which will remain
with me and help me in my daily
teaching.”

“T taught English as a Foreign
Language to economics students, attended
college meetings and functions and) 7”
presented a speech to Hokkaido
University. Additionally, I taught English
to two evening classes, a nurse’s class, a
high school class, and a class of Japanese
English teachers. I also represented UCFV
at various occasions including a visit to the
mayor’s office and a meeting of the
Japanese-Canadian Friendship society.”

Five UCFV study/tour students
accompanied him and assisted Shanks in
his English classes through conversation
groups.

He and the UCFV students attended
Japanese language classes and learned
“Nihongo” and the basics of Japanese

culture, They also. visiteda local farm and

participated in rice planting.

Shanks said the main benefit of
participating in such a program is the
strengthening of the relationship between
the two universities. He was able to
reconnect with some of the Japanese
students he has taught at UCFV since
1992,

“Friendships have-been initiated and
continued of for years with visits on both
sides on the Pacific. The insights one gets
from teaching a class of Japanese students
in their own country, who sit quietly
taking notes, but seldom respond and
never ask questions, are most helpful. My ©
understanding of Japanese and other Asian
students has increased and I believe my
teaching effectiveness has improved.”

The potential for on-going liaison
between HCC and UCFV is strong and an
increasing exchange of people and ideas
will only benefit both campuses, Shanks
says. Both institutions offer courses in
Economics, Early Childhood Education
and Agriculture. HCC is currently
studying the feasibility of a Social Work
department.

Anyone interested in getting more
information regarding international
programs at HCC can contact
International Education.

share a laugh at the Orientation ‘98 barbeque in Chilliwack. Is this a perpetual state of

mind, Moira?