Lake Wales - On July 20 Warner Southern College welcomed 40 students and five teachers from Tamagawa Seigakuin, a junior senior Church of God high school for girls in Tokyo, Japan, to participate in the Tamasei English Program. The Tamasei program is offered for three weeks each summer and provides a faith-based cultural and educational experience for sophomore students.
Dr. James Moyer, Chair of the Communication Arts Department and program director said, "Tamasei provides a unique opportunity for the mission field to come to us. The Japanese place a high premium on education and cultural and international experience. More than 120 students compete each year to participate. This is the 15th year we have offered the program."
While on campus the students will attend classes, practice conversational English, participate in Chapel services and experience a birthday party, Christmas and Easter events. Cultural tours are scheduled for them to visit Historic Bok Sanctuary, Epcot, Kennedy Space Center and Islands of Adventure. Shopping excursions will include Wal Mart and Eagle Ridge Mall.
Journaling is an important component of the Tamasei students' learning experience. Each student is required to keep a daily journal to record her experiences in words and pictures and what she finds different from her own culture. The journals are turned in at the end of the program.
While housing for the students is provided in the college dormitories, two weekends are spent off campus with a host family. "The home stay provides a look at daily American life. We are fortunate to have host families who open their homes to the students each summer," Dr. Moyer said.
To learn more about the Tamasei English Program, call Dr. James Moyer at Warner Southern College at (863) 638-7267 or e-mail him at moyerj@warner.edu.
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