International Cultural Exchange with Japanese Deaf School by Ko Taku Reo Deaf Education NZ
International Cultural Exchange with Japanese Deaf School
Kaori Kobayashi - Assistant Head of Enrolled School — March 24, 2024
Our students broaden their horizons by sharing their culture and learning another culture and a different sign language!
Tū Kōkiri and Hillmorton students have had many Zoom exchanges with Japanese Deaf school students at "Tachikawa Deaf School" since last year. On the 4th of March, we had a third Zoom meeting with them. New faces joined in this year, and both schools introduced each other's sign languages and interacted with each other while playing games. Our students proudly showcased NZSL and shared their culture as representatives of Ko Taku Reo.
We also had another project with another Japanese Deaf School, Chuo Deaf School. They asked us to do video exchanges with them. The Japanese school, our high school, and transition students from each school worked in groups to make videos on the topic of culture.
Five out of the six high school provisions and above participated in this project. Tū Kōkiri created two videos; we had six videos to share with Chuo Deaf School. Our students could work collaboratively, demonstrate solid bonds, and make a video showing their belonging to the Deaf community, the Ko Taku Reo Community, and their New Zealand culture.
Chuo Deaf School staff and students enjoyed watching our students' videos and were very impressed with our students' amazing work!
