News

On February 6, a special faculty development workshop brought together educators from Tamagawa Academy and Tamagawa University, spanning K-16 levels, including Kindergarten, Primary, and Upper Secondary divisions. The session focused on the critical and timely topic of first language (L1) use, specifically Japanese, in English language and immersion classrooms.

Invited guest speaker Dr. Satomi Mishina-Mori, a professor in the College of Intercultural Communication at Rikkyo University, led an engaging discussion with approximately 50 participants on the complexities of language instruction and interaction in foreign language immersion settings. She examined how L1 use varies based on multiple factors and explored various language policies and theoretical perspectives in bilingual education. Drawing on linguistic research, Dr. Mishina-Mori provided insights into different approaches to language use and their implications for foreign language immersion in the Japanese educational context.

Participants engaged in small group discussions to analyze key issues and collaboratively explore strategies for optimizing language use in immersion classrooms. The session underscored the importance of striking a balance that fosters academic achievement, bilingualism, biliteracy, and intercultural awareness, ensuring students develop the linguistic and cognitive skills necessary for success in multilingual environments.