Elementary and middle school students from both Korea and Japan are spending a special summer vacation together at the Daegu Gyeongbuk English Village, where they are learning English, exchanging cultures, and building friendships.
Daegu Gyeongbuk English Village (located in Chilgok-gun, Gyeongsangbuk-do), operated by Yeungjin College (President Choi Jaeyoung), announced on August 6 that it is running a "Korea-Japan Joint English Experience Camp" from August 4 to August 8, a 4-night, 5-day program for 20 elementary and middle school students from Boeun, Chungcheongbuk-do, and 12 elementary and middle school students from Kumamoto City, Japan.
Elementary and middle school students from Korea and Japan participating together in the Daegu Gyeongbuk English Village English Camp
This camp provides a natural setting for exchange, as students from both countries enter the English Village during the same period. By participating in native-speaker English classes and joint evening activities together, students have the opportunity not only to improve their language skills but also to broaden their understanding of cultural diversity.
In particular, this is the first time that a joint English experience program for Korean and Japanese students has been held at the English Village. The accompanying leaders from both countries and the native-speaking head teacher held prior consultations to design a customized program that would allow students to interact and communicate naturally.
On the evening of August 4, the first joint program was a game of "Scattergories." Korean and Japanese students formed mixed teams and answered in English on a variety of topics, such as food, names, music, and fast food, demonstrating teamwork and creativity. The program served as an effective icebreaker, helping students quickly form close bonds.
Additionally, starting August 6, a special class consisting of 11 middle school students from both countries has been launched, enabling more in-depth English experience activities.
Students from the Kumamoto region in Japan, who participated in this camp, had previously traveled to Hawaii, USA, for English language study, but this year, for the first time, chose to join the Daegu Gyeongbuk English Village, an English experience education institution in Korea.
Yumi Nishimura, who led the group (head of an English academy in Japan), commented, "This is our first time attending an English camp in Korea, but the quality of the program design and operation is excellent, making it an unforgettable experience for the children."
Sakazaki Yuna (2nd year at Kumamoto University Affiliated Middle School) shared, "I was surprised that there was no bathtub in the dormitory and that the shower room structure was different from Japan. But it's really fun because I can take classes with various native-speaking teachers." Washiyama Keika (5th grade at Kumamoto Kawashiri Elementary School) said, "At first, I was nervous, but I was happy and excited to be able to eat tonkatsu, which I often eat in Japan, at the cafeteria."
Korean students also expressed great satisfaction with the international exchange. Kim Yubin (1st year at Hoein Middle School in Boeun) said, "At first, it felt unfamiliar to take classes and play games with Japanese friends, but we gradually became close. Even though our languages are different, our hearts connected, making it a truly rewarding memory."
Choi Siel (6th grade at Suhan Elementary School in Boeun) also said, "Now I can understand English little by little just by listening, which is amazing, and I became friends with a Japanese older sister, so it was fun."
Park Jaehong, director (professor) of Daegu Gyeongbuk English Village, stated, "This camp went beyond simple English education and became a meaningful venue for sharing international friendship," adding, "We plan to continue expanding various international programs to nurture global talent in the future."
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