第2回 社会人特別講義 Mr. Paul Yuen

　梅雨が6月中に明けてしまい、既に夏真っ盛りですが、いかがお過ごしでしょうか。夏バテ、熱中症などには気をつけてがんばって酷暑を乗り切りましょう！ 

まだ梅雨でじとじとしていた6月27日（水）に、第2回目の社会人特別講義が行われました。今回は、ハワイ出身のMr. Paul Yuenに、ハワイの公立中学高校での教育についてお話し頂きました。

　社会の「グローバル化」に対応するために、英語教育に重きを置く傾向にある昨今ですが、音楽教育専攻も『通訳なしの英語での講義』を初めて試みました。みなさんに、少しでも在学生の気持ちを体験してもらえるように、英語でまとめてみようと思います。

The theme was “Preparing students for life”. 

 He talked about how teachers approach teaching at Hawai’i public middle/high schools. Teachers constantly need to continue their education because the field of education is complex and always evolving. Also, he said both students and teachers should be life long learners, to better themselves so they can excel at life.

 Teachers in Hawai’i try to find every student’s strengths and weaknesses. They let students successfully discover and embark upon their chosen paths in life. So what teachers have to do is to HELP students choose their paths and teachers are in unique positions to do so. That’s why teaching is so important, exciting and requires dedication. 

 Since our students are studying music, he mentioned some stories about arts. He explained “Art” is important in our lives, so much so, that the Department of Education’s recognized “Art” as a core subject area. “Art” is part of the focus, again, in schools. It is important because communities include arts and students are part of it. Arts develop visual and aesthetically sensitive skills. 

 Teachers in Hawai’i public schools think that there’s not enough time to teach everything during the school days. To address this, schools offer enrichment programs during Summer/Winter breaks. They teach not only arts but also LIFE SKILLS. They include;

1. Money 

2. Food Management 

3. Personal Hygiene 

4. Health 

5. Educational Planning 

6. Interpersonal Skills 

7. Taking care of your home 

8. Finding a place to live 

9. Finding transportation 

10. Jobs 

11. Keeping your job 

12. Emergency and safety skills 

13. Community resources 

14. The law 

15. Parenting and childcare 

 Traditionally, these skills were taught by parents, but times have changed. To assist students, teachers HELP students get ready for life by teaching life skills. 

 Have you ever thought about what life skills students need when they graduate from college? First, why do you go to college? You go to college because you want to learn more information about what you are interested in. Second, what do you want to do after you graduate with that information? You probably want to find a job using that information. What you studied is going to be the key that opens a door to let continue on your life’s journey. But if you only studied at college and didn’t learn how to live outside of your house and college, you wouldn’t able to live by yourself. So, learning and, especially, teaching life skills to others are meaningful, useful, essential, and rewarding to all.

…Are you ready for life? 

　いつも通りの90分間の講義でしたが、英語を聞きなれていない学生にとっては、緊張した時間だったのではないかなと思います。レポートを提出しなければいけないという使命感・危機感も相まって、いつも以上に学生はとても真剣に耳を傾けているように見えました。講義最後の質疑応答では、自ら英語で質問する学生もおり、活気にあふれていました。実際にハワイに短期語学留学していたピアノ科の学生も聴講に来ており、再会を喜んでいました。

　9月19日（水）にお迎えする予定のテノール歌手のジョン・健・ヌッツォ先生も、英語でお願いする予定です。ご興味のある方は、ぜひ聴講にいらしてください♪連絡は、tokyoondai.musiceducation@gmail.comまで！

執筆者：事務助手　福本カナコ