Kobe Shoin teachers exchange grows

Wendy Bulkowski (right) and Jan Lefebvre, visiting professors at Kobe Shoin Women's University, enjoyed touring the Miho Museum outside Kyoto.

ELI expanded the long-standing teachers exchange program between the University of Delaware and Kobe Shoin Women’s University by sending a second faculty member in 2003 to teach in that university’s English department for two years. ELI instructor and tutoring center coordinator Wendy Bulkowski arrived in Kobe in April, where she joined ELI teacher Jan Lefebvre as a visiting professor.

“I am happy to take the baton this year and serve as the ‘guide’ through Wendy’s first year here,” said Lefebvre. “It adds to the feeling that we are continuing a unique and special tradition.”

At one tenth the size of the University of Delaware, Kobe Shoin is an urban campus with both university and college (two-year) students, all of whom take between 10 and 19 different classes a week. In contrast to ELI’s intensive 20-hour per week schedule, most English classes at Kobe Shoin meet just once a week for 90 minutes. And, of course, teaching locals is a complete role reversal for ELI teachers, who are now the foreigners.

Despite these major differences, Bulkowski reports smooth sailing navigating the culture gap. The fact that Kobe is a city with an international history, with many English signs and friendly people, Bulkowski said, has helped her acclimate to her new environment.

“Shoin University is also a friendly place with many Japanese and English-speaking colleagues ready to help orient us.”

Both Lefebvre and Bulkowski have taken advantage of Shoin’s openness to innovation.

Lefebvre has originated a series of projects for her students which required visiting local businesses, interviewing managers and suggesting ways of incorporating more English into their operations. In May, Bulkowski reported to the Shoin College English faculty on an extensive reading seminar she had attended. As a result, the school is planning on incorporating her suggestions in an extensive reading course in 2005.Bulkowski is also teaching a class in ethnic studies, originated by former ELI instructor Molly Gould, who currently teaches at Shoin. Gould has designed a semester course about North American tribes, traditions and legends, which is followed by a second semester on the peoples of Asia, starting with the Maori of New Zealand, where Gould spent four weeks of her summer vacation volunteering at the Maori Museum.

In June, two UD students who were participating in the University of Delaware’s summer abroad program at Shoin visited Bulkowski’s advanced writing class.

“My students were very excited about their visit,” said Bulkowski. “Since the lesson for the week required interviewing people about career choices, two groups interviewed these young men. Since then, Paul and Adam have kept in touch with some of the Shoin students by email.”

In March 2004, Lefebvre will complete her two-year commitment at Shoin, and another ELI faculty member will replace her.

“My profound sadness to leave this amazing place is countered only by the joy of coming home to my family,” she said. “Wow, what a ride! My thanks to ELI and Kobe Shoin for the opportunity.”