Supporting the Learning of Children with Foreign Roots — Ibaraki University Students Participate in Summer Study Session (Wednesday,August 20)

On Wednesday, August 20, nine students from Ibaraki University participated as volunteers in a summer study session organized by the Hitachinaka City International Exchange Association. The event was designed for elementary and junior high school students with foreign roots and their parents, providing support for summer homework, book reports, and drill exercises.

This study session has been held annually since 2021, with Ibaraki University students regularly taking part. It aims to help children with foreign backgrounds adapt more smoothly to life in Japanese schools and has become a well-established initiative contributing to multicultural coexistence in the local community.

The term “children with foreign roots” refers to those whose parents, or one of their parents, are originally from outside Japan. As the number of foreign residents in Japan continues to grow, so too does the number of children with diverse cultural backgrounds. Many of these children face challenges such as difficulty understanding Japanese-language homework, unfamiliarity with uniquely Japanese assignments like book reports or independent research projects, and limited language proficiency. As a result, this study session is highly valued by both the children and their families.

This year, the first session was held on Sunday, July 27, and the second on Wednesday, August 21. Students from Ibaraki University were paired with the same children they supported in the first session, allowing them to build on the trust and rapport already established. This helped create a comfortable environment where the children could focus on their studies.

Children working on book reports reviewed the story together with the university students and explored how to express their thoughts and feelings in writing. Those tackling drill exercises received explanations using diagrams and illustrations, which helped deepen their understanding and made learning more enjoyable.

Participating students shared their reflections, saying, “I was happy that the children were more open and talkative this time,” and “It was rewarding to hear a child say ‘I got it!’ after my explanation, but it also made me realize I need to think more carefully about how to explain things clearly.”

Ibaraki University will continue to collaborate with local international exchange organizations to provide students with opportunities to engage actively with social issues in the community.