Final Thoughts

Final Thoughts

This experience here in Fukui is a valuable one for me as I finally get to observe and immerse myself in a different curriculum, learning environment and students compared to Singapore. As a teacher of the 21^stcentury, I must have a global perspective and learn from global partners about best practices and their experiences so that I can improve my teaching skills for the benefit of the students. It is heartening to know that wherever I am at, the conversation among teachers always and most certainly revolve around the students’ needs, interests, learning styles, personal lives and so on. This should be the key topic of every conversation that teachers have, and through this conversation, we can better our teaching pedagogy to suit the needs of the students and help them learn better in school. 

To me, international practicum was to find a different perspective of how to teach, manage students and how things are done the same or different than in Singapore. But more than that, this international practicum has also given be an opportunity to build ties with teachers from all over the world. I am very blessed to have learnt from teachers not only from Japan, but also from America, Myanmar, Bhutan, Philippines, China which provides me more insight to different perspectives and ways of teaching. This was something totally unexpected but I am very grateful for. 

Lastly, the interaction with the elementary and junior high school students was insightful as I could see the progression of their learning from one level to the next. Fuzoku has shown me how their nine-year plan is integrated and how students transition from one stage to the next. Learning is a continuous and consistent process for the students. I also love the bond between the students in each grade as they take on grade projects and activities together. This bond is built from the very beginning when they step foot in Fuzoku and hard work is put into these peer-peer relationships which makes school meaningful for the students. Apart from learning and attaining a graduation certificate, they take away with them lifelong friendships and memorable experiences from school. Most importantly, the school comes together as a Family of Fuzoku, a community of learners where both students and teachers are comfortable learning and exploring new things together. This made me realize that these relationships are precious and hard work is constantly put into nurturing it. To me, learning takes places only when positive relationships are formed and my belief is reinforced by the experience I have here in Fukui. With this experience, I continue to aim to be a teacher that builds good relationships in the school, with the students and my colleagues. 

Cheers, 

Rebecca