Chiba University

This morning we visited Chiba University in Chiba City. This university has strong programs in medicine, engineering, agriculture, and teacher preperation. The faculty described the educational programs at the school and then there was a question and answer session.

There was a discussion about changing values in society. The Japanese have always believed that the sun and nature are watching so it is important to not due anything bad. Today this is not so easily believed by young people and causing values of right and wrong to change. As a result moral education was added to teaching guidelines when they were revised in March, 2008. These guidelines will be reviewed again in 10 years.

The second part of the Chiba University visit was to talk with college students. This was my favorite part. I chatted with two young women about college, food, and what they wanted to do when they graduated. A young man joined our group. He is planning to be a high school English teacher when he finishes at the university.

He asked me when we teach students to write his or her opinions, when do we teach creative writing? I explained that is taught very early in elementary school. He told me Japanese students are not taught to write creatively, they do not write their opinions, only factual information. He feels there is a problem with people being able to express his or her opinion. This is very interesting. I responded that American students have too many opinions and have a difficult time writing essays containing factual information. He though that was very funny.

We were only given an hour to meet with the college students and the time passed quickly. Before we new it, it was time to go.