I really enjoyed visiting Enoshima island with the whole school.
Which events or activities did you find the most satisfying and why?
I really enjoyed visiting Enoshima island with the whole school. It was a fun day out and I was able to see different sides of my classmates outside of class. I also attended the play hosted by the drama club last semester, it was well done and great to see people applying their language skills from class into a creative project like that.
What were the most productive and interesting aspects of the program for you? The least interesting and productive?
Being in level 2 now, I feel that level 1 gave me a really strong foundation to start engaging with Japanese language on a deeper level. I appreciate KCPs focus on writing as well; I've heard that other schools don't require it but I understand it's importance for literacy and improving language output. I don't have any serious complaints about the program right now.
What activities or materials did you find most helpful (e.g., pair work, drill practice, tests, small group sessions, textbooks, games)?
I really appreciate all of the online materials created by teachers on GoKCP. I think doing the dictation exercises everyday really helped my improve my listening ability. I enjoy the emphasis on speaking with other student partners in class. I don't think it's too valuable just memorizing the textbook conversations, so I'm glad that there is emphasis on producing original content in the speaking tests, and in level 2 in general.
Any suggestions for improving class activities or materials?
I think there should be more listening comprehension exercises in class. Teaches speak in a way that's easier to understand, but the workbook exercises feel faster with complex grammar. And since there are a lot of listening questions on the midterm and final, I think it's the one area that's not covered so much during class time.
Any comments or tips for prospective/new KCP students?
If you are a US program student, you must use the additional resources provided to you like the English support sessions to really succeed at KCP.
