40th years anniversary JICA Volunteer Program in Thailand - Sharing for the best and Growing Together -

[With regards to the 40th anniversary of JICA Overseas Cooperation Volunteers in Thailand]

Name: Wataru Sasaki
Group of dispatch: 2016-3
Assignment term: January 10, 2017 - January 9, 2019
Assignment place: Boonwattana School
Field: Japanese language education

Title: "My thoughts toward Japanese Language Education"

Congratulations on the 40th anniversary of JICA Overseas Cooperation Volunteers in Thailand. I taught Japanese at a secondary school in Nakhon Ratchasima Province. At that time, it was my first time to teach abroad and it was also the first time of teaching junior high school and high school students so, there were times when the lessons did not go well during the first period of the assignment. However, by discussing with counterparts and sharing teaching methods, we were able to brush up our teaching skills. In the end, I think we were able to do many activities so that the students could understand about Japan and enjoy using Japanese language.

Also, at that time, there were many volunteers under the field of Japanese language education, so we were able to actively engage in activities as a subcommittee. The biggest activity was to together conduct a research class at a school in the south of Thailand and make a booklet based on it. We were deeply impressed when we completed creating our original teaching material as our outcomes, which remain even after our departure. To reach that point, I think it was possible because of the cooperation of not only the volunteer members but also the JICA staff. I would like to take this opportunity to thank you again.

I think the JICA Volunteer program is one desirable option to become a Japanese Language teacher. In addition, in a country such as Thailand, which has so much love for Japan, I believe that Japanese language education will be one of the keys for Thailand to deepen bilateral exchange between our two countries. Even though this difficult situation will continue for a while, I would be happy if Japanese language education could continue in Thailand.

With my Counterpart

With volunteers in field of Japanese Language

With same batch members

Impression of JICA Volunteer

On the occasion of the 40th anniversary of the JOCV program in Thailand by the cooperation of JICA, TICA and all parties involved, we would like to congratulate and express our gratitude for your kind cooperation to date and much more to come, especially in the education field in Thailand and around the world where you have promoted and been successful in development of Japanese Language Education for both local Japanese language teachers and students.

The latest volunteer from JICA to Boonwattana School, Mr. SASAKI Wataru, served as a Japanese Language Education volunteer with Thai Japanese teachers in the school to the best of their ability. He is a teacher that students greatly admire and like to study with; also, he worked seamlessly with other teachers in the school in all aspects. He participated in learning management, design and promotion of activities in the Japanese language classroom. He is accepted by fellow teachers as well as students as a good role model who disseminates knowledge of the Japanese language and Japanese culture to teachers and students.

Mr. Amnuay Thawee
Japanese Language Teacher,
Boonwattana School