Daily Pioneer News

PLATTEVILLE-The University of Wisconsin-Platteville enveloped yet another foreign education connection when in 1997 Chuck Collins, associate vice chancellor at the time, helped create a relationship with Japan's Nagasaki College of Foreign Language (NCFL). Student exchanges between the two schools were initiated in the fall of 1998. Continuing the exchange relationship, UWP will receive 13 students from NCFL on Feb. 14.

When at their home school, NCFL students enter a two-year program after leaving their secondary education. The students' objective in participating in the English education curriculum at NCFL is to fulfill employment opportunities in areas such as airports, department stores, travel agencies and hotels.

Students from NCFL will advance their English language and experience American culture when they arrive on Feb. 14, with their departure set for May 24. NCFL Professor Hediki Oiwa travels with the students to Platteville, spends a week settling them in, and then returns to Nagasaki.

This short-term English Language and American Cultural Study Program UWP offers will admit two men and 11 women, with an age variance of approximately 18 to 25, for the 14 week program. The curriculum designed specifically for English as a Second Language (ESL) by Pat Jonas, academic director at UWP, allows Nagasaki students transferable credits only to NCFL. The class schedule NCFL students adhere to consists of: English Conversation, Basic English Reading, English Composition, English Grammar, American Literature, American Society, American History and Physical Education.

Each NCFL student partners up with an American student in a resident hall at UWP, and is sponsored by a host family from the Platteville community. During spring break and at the end of the school year, the host family will invite their student to their home for a 10-day stay, where American culture is viewed first-hand. Visiting Amish territory, Indian lore and the Mississippi River have been experiences of past students from NCFL. Barbara Daus, executive director of international programs, and her husband host a student each year and attest to the positive, enriching experience.

Included in the program are two five-day field trips. A past academic trip for NCFL students included visiting the Milwaukee public schools and attending a Brewer game. In March, a trip to St. Louis may be in order where the Arch will be a memorable attraction.

Daus stated, "This is an incredibly enriching program for both the students that come here, area students and host families that get involved. It is such a broadening experience both ways."