OSCA JAPAN
There are different streams of teaching offered on the Japan camp which means that everyone will be doing something different while in Japan. Each location usually lasts one to two weeks and each teacher therefore teaches for four weeks, or about two or three streams. If you get to go on OSCA Japan, you’ll receive notes with feedback and advice from the teachers who taught at your locations last year, so never fear!
The dates for OSCA Japan 2023 are likely to be 19 of July to 21 August. This summer's Japan camp is the first OSCA Japan camp running since 2019. The project will be smaller, with likey just two volunteers going to Japan, as opposed to the around 10 to 12 volunteers of the last few OSCA Japan camps. Because this is a small camp and some streams are taught alone, OSCA Japan requires a great level of both independence and teaching ability but it’s also incredibly fun and enriching to go to this amazing country!
The OSCA Japan camp is run in conjunction with the Hyogo International Association, who are based in Kobe, Japan. This is a residential town near Osaka in west Japan. All of the teaching for OSCA takes place in and around Kobe. Along with teaching, which differs for teacher to teacher, HIA will also organise events for the OSCA teachers. This is an opportunity to show Kobe to but also for their members to meet us as well. One of these events is a very formal ‘Welcome Party’ during which various performances of Japanese culture are given, and will end with the OSCA teachers giving a short performance to show off the U.K. in return. It’s about five minutes long and they always enjoy it, so don’t worry about that! Other events can include a glass-painting class and a tour with the HIA members. All the OSCA teachers participate in these events, but depending on your teaching stream you will also do a lot of other things as well.
During your time in Japan with OSCA you might teach high school students, young children or senior adult learners, and you are also very likely to teach university students at some point. Click here to find out more about a teacher's experience in Japan in 2013!
Everyone on OSCA Japan gets the opportunity of having a homestay with a Japanese family, who are always very kind and great at hospitality! Whenever you are not living in a homestay or residential, OSCA teachers will be living in the Greenhill Hotel Urban, which is very central in Kobe and paid for by the HIA. This is a great chance to interact and have fun with the other OSCA teachers who may be working in other places.
Travelling
OSCA teachers generally travel around Japan after teaching is finished with. Many of us were also able to travel to nearby cities during our teaching, including Nara, Osaka, and Kyoto, which are well worth a visit! You may even be taken to such places on days out with universities, schools, or your host family.
As you might expect, Japan is an incredible place to travel, especially if you are already interested in Japanese culture, and has something for everyone, from the amazing traditional architecture in Kyoto to the bustling metropolis of Tokyo. It is useful to pick up little bits of the language as English is not readily spoken, and there are not always English language signs. However, google translate and a willingness to act out what you are looking for are useful too.
If, after reading this, you have any questions about the Japan project, please feel free to email us.