The WYM is not merely an event.

Nor is it an English presentation competition!

 

        Makoto Kageto Ph.D

                                    WYM steering Committee Chair

                               

 

 

 

Up to this year, judging from the data of how many students have joined the WYM, the number has risen to more than 10,000 students. They have all challenged themselves in making collaborative presentations, and now some are even studying abroad making use of their WYM experiences. They will have learned how to overcome conflicts, which may have arisen while they were completing their presentation. These conflicts are often caused by the differences in ways of communicating which are embedded each of our cultures.

 

We are proud of having created new learning environments for our students to challenge themselves in the global educational environment while being involved in the move toward globalism.

 

Most of these students are studying at schools according to the curriculum set by in their country. Some of these curriculums assume that students are supposed to be compliant and obedient. This is still the case of curriculum in Japan. Students here cannot create a new curriculum in which there is an opportunity to challenge global education even if it is urgently demanded. It’s clearly the role of teachers and professors, who strongly wish for their students to grow as people, who can contribute to the world, to do this.

 

We, teachers and professors, have to develop new learning environments that meet the urgent demands regarding world peace and globalism. Now the world is facing constant terror attacks, climate change, border issues, globalism and issues related to immigrant policy, so on. Each student has a responsibility to prepare over the next 10 years to become a more cosmopolitan person and address these many problems. We can no longer say our lives don’t interact with others. Our lives are now affecting each other.

 

Some students say,  “I’m against President Trump because he has declared America would withdraw from the Paris accords” or “We welcome the President of France as he said they will not yield to fear and divide the EU.” Students’ opinions are greatly influenced by the instant communication of the Internet. They are able to get information through it about recent events at once and this shows how our actions affect others.

 

The WYM is the stage for everyone to start to think globally and find solutions while developing ones English communication skills. They should realize how English helps us overcome communication barriers. Asian students surely will need strong English communication abilities and presentation skills so that they can clearly communicate their ideas and opinions and help to make the world a better place for us all to share.

We are very happy to work with you to achieve that.

 

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