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Special Report |
LAST UPDATE March 1, 2005
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February 25, 2005 |
GET Programme – Language as a Communication Tool |
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| Todd Frank, a GET English teacher from the United States, discusses activism with his morning class. |
Phil Rundell has taught English in Japan since 1999 and believes that the Japanese focus on grammar-based teaching is insufficient for true communication. “It’s pretty much useless for the borderless world we live in today,” he explains. As a volunteer language teacher in the Global English/Espanol Training (GET) programme, however, he has the chance to experience a much different teaching/learning model. “GET provides a forum for learning and developing not only language skills, but communication skills as well.”
Despite having studied a foreign language for more than ten years, a large number of Japanese are uncomfortable or unable to express themselves in a second language. Through daily classes with native speakers of English and Spanish, informal chat sessions, events, and in-port activities, the GET programme aims to provide participants with language and communication tools. |
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| GET also provides classes open to all Peace Boat participants. Here, Matt Davis teaches counting with the assistance of Nakamura Ayumi, a Communication Coordinator. |
The focus of the model is not on perfect grammar or pronunciation, but on helping students to express themselves in the target language. As many of the people in the ports Peace Boat visits speak English or Spanish, a basic command of these languages will help participants to get more out of their experiences there.
Takahashi Maho, one of two GET coordinators onboard the 48th voyage believes that one of GET’s biggest strengths is its environment. “People always have access to ways in which they are able to use what they have learned in class in a practical setting. We create lots of different ways, such as opportunities on board and in port, for students to use the communication tools they learn in class. Being onboard Peace Boat, the most unique feature of the programme is that students can always keep their motivation high. Ninety-five percent of our students maintain extremely high levels of motivation, due to the environment we provide.” |
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| GET Spanish teachers Catherine Chung, Ryan Sarsfield, and Hernan Fukuda consistently bring a sense of fun to their classes and activities. (Photo by Jeff Kennel) |
One of the key motivators GET provides is the opportunity to use the target language on a daily basis with a variety of people. GET teachers and staff play an active role in onboard life, sponsoring classes and workshops (thus far, activities initiated include a photography workshop, a lecture about Gandhi, and an oceanography class), as well as participating in Peace Boat activities alongside Japanese participants. Additionally, as many guest educators do not speak Japanese, often the only languages they have in common with participants are Spanish or English.
Kai Shoko, a GET student, is excited about the opportunities the GET programme provides. “All the teachers and crew members onboard are very interesting people, so I want to be able to speak with them in English,” she enthusiastically said. “Even after only a few weeks, I am getting used to English. The GET programme is great!” |
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