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NIOC Sailors Help Teach English to Local Japanese Students
Posted 3/10/2011 Updated 3/10/2011
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by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Matthew M. Bradley
Naval Air Facility Misawa, Japan
3/10/2011 - Mar 9, 2011 -- MISAWA, Japan - Sailors from Misawa Air Base paid a visit to a Japanese after school youth facility here and helped teach the kids English, while also taking part in a cultural exchange, March 10. Navy Information Operations Command (NIOC) Misawa Sailors have been regularly visiting children at the Oka Misawa Jidokan twice a month for the past three years. Legalman First Class Quenise Crigler said she particularly enjoys teaching and learning from the children. "These sessions are a little give and take. We're able to teach them a little English and they teach us a little bit about their culture," said Crigler who organizes the visits. "I thoroughly enjoy interacting with the kids. I like seeing how excited they are even before we get inside the door." Yumiko Yamamoto, a teacher at the facility said Misawa is a very special city because Japanese children see Americans almost everyday. "When the Americans first started to visit, the children were a bit shy, but now they are excited and look forward to each visit," said Yamamoto. "This is a great opportunity for the kids to use English and interact with native speakers."
NIOC also plans several seasonal events throughout the year on top of the regular visits. These events showcase both American and Japanese cultures. For Halloween the kids went trick-or-treating, and for the New Year's party the students introduced the Sailors to the Japanese tradition of bean throwing, said Yamamoto. "We are planning an event to celebrate Easter in the near future," said Crigler.
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