This presentation and paper will explain how customs and lifestyles can be explored while at the same time encompassing language learning.

Japanese university students are introduced to the ways of the world through presentations by their peers.

Commencing with their own Japanese culture and differing lifestyles and the various parts of Japan, students begin to understand how we are different yet so alike.

Japan presentations Students are assigned to research parts of Japan that they are not familiar with. For example since our university is located in southern Japan, the areas and prefectures of Hokkaido, Akita, or Nagano may be chosen.

Initial presentations They are researching areas of Japan for items such as special food, customs, festivals, weather, or other unknown facts. At the same time they are familiarizing themselves with the technology used in class – a wiki.

Depending on language level, simple or more advanced English can be taught and used in their presentations.

harry - - 5 day trip to Okinawa

In further presentations, while at the same time studying English the students explore other countries and regions of the world.

These presentations can consist of simple or more complex themes. 5 day vacation plan in a major world city. Visiting and explaining a UNESCO world site (outside of Japan) Travelling to a major museum and explaining some of the exhibits and artists World issues

Any or all of these presentations offer students an opportunity to explore and report on places that they may not be extremely familiar with. Through presentations by their peers they are able to gather a large body of knowledge from not only their presentation but that of OTHERS.

The delivery format utilizes computer applications such as a Wiki.

Wikispaces.com A wiki is safe secure software to allow for a variety of different course objectives. It allows for maps, chart, pictures, videos and a variety of other widgets to be added to a presentation with relative ease. It is free to registered users.

Harry & Snoopy’s 5 day travel plan To Vancouver, B.C.

Wiki’s are: Software that can be easily installed to a computer. Teachers and students have access 24/7, inside and outside of the classroom, wherever there is an Internet connection This allows students to take ownership of their learning.

The utilization of a Wiki allows for richer and deeper ability to gather resources and display them through the use of videos, images and maps or charts

In addition - I also encompass an English language text book. On a wiki, each student has their own page(s) from which to construct presentations. In addition - I also encompass an English language text book. Commonly half of a 90 minute class is going over a chapter in the text and reviewing grammar or other points of English. It takes about 3-4 lessons to construct one presentation

Example page, some components – EASTER ISLAND, UNESCO site

UNESCO site research Details such as; What is it? Why is it important? When was it made a UNESCO site? What other things can you see or do there? Other information

Each presentation usually runs 3-5 minutes. Too short and they haven’t gathered enough information. Too long and they may have only copy and pasted from the Internet.

Another key theme of the class is for students to use THEIR own English. DO NOT JUST COPY sentences from the Internet. Most students understand this and there are no problems.

Modern technology has allowed us access to information that would have previously been difficult to gather in a short amount of time.

Through the comprising and sharing of presentations, students are able to learn about multiple cultures and world events.

Natural resources, Ozone, Water, Over population Additional presentations can explore world issues that are facing us now and will linger long after the students have completed the course. Natural resources, Ozone, Water, Over population

The problems of one country can easily affect another.

Through the use of research and displaying of gathered information students can become better acquainted with the world around them.

For further information or questions please refer to the accompanying paper in the conference proceedings.

Thank you Harry Carley Matsuyama University Ehime, Japan pm333@air.ocn.ne.jp