One of the biggest differences I felt in Christchurch from Japan was school life.
The first is that you can choose your own classes. In Japan, I take the same classes as everyone else in the class at the same time, but in Christchurch, I thought of my own combination of classes. I felt that it was similar to the university of Japan. I thought it was very good that the schools in Christchurch were very good because I think they can choose classes that allow them to learn more deeply about what they want to be in the future. Also, it was the opposite of Japan students moving from classroom to see the teacher instead of the teacher coming to the classroom.
The second is the content of the classes. Many classes used computers, and when solving problems, they solved problems on computers rather than using printouts. In my social studies classes, I always researched and studied on a computer. They were also able to choose their own seats, and even if they were not instructed by the teacher, they actively discussed with their friends. If there was something that bothered him, he immediately raised his hand. During the class, many of the children were out of posture, and I was surprised by the sight that is not often seen in Japan. In physical education classes it was mixed. I was in gym class while playing music. Compared to Japan, there was more freedom in class, and I felt the cultural difference.
The third is that you can take musical instrument lessons at school. My buddy was taking violin lessons. It wasn't like an after-school club activity like Japan, but I skipped class and took lessons for about 20 minutes. The one-on-one lessons were like going to a lesson.
The fourth is lunch. Everyone ate lunch where they wanted. There was no designated place to eat, so I ate with my buddy in the schoolyard and library. There were many fruits and sweets in the lunch box. The amount was large, so we had an hour of lunch.
There were many mixed-gender activities at school, and the content of the classes was also different from that of Japan. In Christchurch schools, students often felt free to make choices. We are given a style of studying, but I felt that the students in Christchurch were eager to learn. I also want to be able to learn independently rather than just learning what I am given.
学校生活の違いについて
私がクライストチャーチで日本との違いを大きく感じたことは、学校生活だ。
一つ目は、自分で授業を選べることだ。日本ではクラスのみんなと同じ授業を同じ時間に受けるが、クライストチャーチでは授業の組み合わせを自分で考えていた。日本の大学に似ているなと感じた。クライストチャーチの学校は将来なりたいことに向けて、より深く学べる授業を選んだりもできると思うのでとてもいいと思った。また、教室に先生が来るのではなくて、生徒が先生に会いに教室を移動していて日本とは真逆だった。
二つ目は授業内容だ。パソコンを使った授業が多く、問題を解くときなども、プリントを使うことよりパソコンで問題を解いていた。社会の授業ではずっとパソコンで調べ学習をしていた。他にも自分で席を選ぶこともでき、先生から指示がなくても周りの友達と積極的に話し合いをしていた。また気になったことがあればすぐに手を挙げていた。授業中は姿勢を崩している子も多く、日本ではなかなか見ない光景に驚いた。体育の授業では男女混合だった。音楽をかけながら体育の授業をしていた。日本と比べて授業中の自由が多く、文化の違いを感じた。
三つ目は学校で楽器のレッスンを受けられることだ。私のバディは、バイオリンのレッスンを受けていた。日本のように放課後などの部活のようなものではなく、授業を途中で抜けて20分ほどレッスンを受けていた。一対一でレッスンを受ける様子は、習い事に行っているようだった。
四つ目はお昼ご飯だ。お昼ご飯もみんなそれぞれ食べたい場所で食べていた。食べる場所も特に指定されておらず、バディと一緒に校庭や図書館で食べたりした。お弁当の中身もフルーツやお菓子が多かった。量も多いので、昼ごはんの時間が一時間もあった。
学校では男女混合での活動が多く、授業内容でも、日本との違いがあった。クライストチャーチの学校では、生徒に選択を託すことが多く自由な感じが見られた。私たちは与えられた勉強を行うスタイルだが、クライストチャーチの学生は自ら意欲的に学習していると感じた。私も与えられたものだけを学習するのではなく自主的に学習していけるようになりたいと思う。