Throughout January, students in class 2-1 visited local elementary schools to teach special English classes as a part of the GC Advanced Program.

4 groups of 4 students went to 4 different schools and enjoyed English classes with students of several grades. After a lot of preparation and practice, the Isesaki High School students were able to teach an English class, which included communicative activities and fun games.

Not only did these groups have the special opportunity to try being teachers for a day, but there were even reports about their activities on Gunma TV and Jomo Newspaper. Thanks to the hard work of the GC students, hopefully the elementary school students were able to become more interested in learning English for their future.

2023 Akashi Cup Prectural High School English Contest

The 2023 Akashi Cup Prefectural High School English Contest was held on Friday, November 10th, at Gunma Women’s Prefectural University. There were 4 different sections, original speech, original speech by students with experience abroad, recitation, and presentation. 

This year, Isesaki High School had two representatives. One representative from the 2-1 GC class participated in the recitation section. Her performance was of a reimagined telling of the classic tale “The Three Little Pigs” from the wolf’s perspective. Meanwhile, the other representative, a student from Class 1-6, participated in the presentation section. Her presentation was her idea, as a student who came to Japan last year from China, about improving education in Japan.

Despite not receiving any top awards, both students put on truly impressive performances!

University x High School Special Lessons

On Tuesday, October 24th, students in the 2nd grade GC class took part in the second of three special lessons done by teachers from Gunma Prefectural Women’s University. After going to the university for the first lesson, the native English speaking teachers of the university visited Itaka to teach this lesson.

Students started the lesson off by enjoying a communicative activity relating to Japanese words which have no English counterpart. After warming up, it was time for the main activity - Model United Nations. All of the students were split up into groups, with each group representing a different country in the UN. Together they thought of proposals to make on behalf of the country they were representing. This activity will lead to a debate activity in the third and final special lesson, which will take place in December.

2023 Akashi Cup English Speech and Recitation Contest - Isesaki District

On Monday, September 25th, 4 students (3 members of Class 2-1, 1 member from Class 2-3) joined the Isesaki District English Speech and Recitation Contest at Yotsuba Gakuen Secondary School.

Three members participated in the recitation section and all of them put on their best performances to date. This resulted in a 2nd place finish and 3rd place finish for Isesaki High School students. The 2nd place finisher will move on to the Akashi Cup Prefectural Contest in November. 

One member participated in the original speech section and competed against a very high level of competition. The title of her speech was “Towards a Gender-Free Country,” and she could share her ideas and information about the topic clearly and smoothly.

R5 British Hills Language Learning Trip!

From Saturday to Monday (September 9 - 11) 11 students from the 2-1 GC class, along with 17 other students in 1st and 2nd grade, went deep into the mountains of Fukushima prefecture to join a language learning trip at British Hills.

During their stay, the students had a schedule full of interesting lessons, exciting activities, and relaxing free time. Some of the lessons which the students joined include “Survival English: Intermediate” and “Introduction to Discussion.” With teachers and staff from all around the world, the students were able to experience a truly wide variety of native English. 

Meals were served in the refectory, a large luxurious dining hall which seems to be something straight from the wizarding world of Harry Potter. Explore and Challenge activities allowed for the students to continue to use English during their downtime. Adding further excitement to their free time, the students were able to spend time in the “Ascot Tea Room” and “Falstaff Pub,” as well as take a stroll through the woods on the Nature Trail.

After a weekend of experiencing a slice of the United Kingdom, right here in Japan, everyone returned safely to school.  

Welcome - Ambassador's Hall	English Lessons
Meals in the Refectory	Manor House Courtyard

GC Advanced Program - JICA Global Plaza & Open Campus

On Wednesday, August 2, students in class 2-1 (Global Communication) went to Tokyo to visit JICA Global Plaza and join open campus events at two different universities.

By joining a workshop and checking out the “Experience Area” at JICA Global Plaza, the students could deepen their understanding about SDGs, and the current living situations and cultures of different countries around the world. 

In the afternoon, the class split into two groups with one group joining the open campus event at Sophia University, and the other going to Hosei University. Open campus events are a valuable experience for second grade students as they prepare for what they want to do after graduating high school.

                JICA Workshop                             JICA Experience                     View from Hosei University