By ERIN HOPKINS

Staff Writer

Students have a chance to experience life in Japan, the culture and the obstacles of teaching a new language to students through a program that places participants in Japanese schools to teach English.

Madeline Moore, a graduate student of history, conducted a presentation on the Japanese-English teaching program Friday in Wyly Tower of Learning auditorium. She spoke about her time spent in the program from 2002 to 2004.

Moore said she started the presentation by showing a videotape.

"I was sent a video from the consulate in New Orleans," Moore said. "It showed what daily life is like [for the participants] in Japan."

Moore also spoke about her time in Japan and the school where she taught. Toward the end of the presentation, Moore discussed the specifics of the program such as the application process, salary, benefits and expectations.

Moore said the program will place participants in an elementary school, junior high or high school with a Japanese teacher to teach along side the native teacher. Handling the attendance and any discipline problems that might occur will be left to the native teacher, Moore said.

Moore said she taught two to three classes a day and was in charge of planning lessons for those classes. She said she was in charge of part of the teaching and had a few other responsibilities.

"As the assistant English teacher, I was in charge of grammar and cultural activities so I spent a lot of time with my English club," Moore said.

Moore said her job was mainly being a cultural representative for America, not just an assistant teacher.

She also said the requirements within the program are different for each person and for each school where the participant is placed.

"You are contracted for one year and can stay there for three years total," Moore said. "Most people do stay for more than one year."

Moore said people interested in the program do not need to be able to speak Japanese before going over to Japan.

The teacher not being able to speak Japanese forces the students to learn English.

Wade Beane, a senior accounting major, was one of the people who attended the presentation.

"I learned about the culture and details about the program, what [is expected] of you and what you get in return," Beane said.

Beane said the presentation explained the interaction between the participant of the program, the school where you are teaching and the students who you teach.

"The presentation makes me want to learn more about it and to consider the program more," Beane said.

"Students can gain international knowledge and learn a different language through this program or a program like this," Dr. Stephen Webre, head of the history department and a professor of history, said. "Just the experience can be beneficial to them."

Students interested in the program can pick up applications from Moore in her office located in George T. Madison Hall, Room 132. Applications for the program are due Dec. 1.