Springfield and Isesaki launch student penpal project
Stories of family members and photos or drawings of family pets. Favorite characters from Japanese anime shows. Familiarity with sushi and ramen.
Those are some of the themes running through the first set of letters heading from Springfield Public School middle schoolers to Isesaki, Japan, junior high students participating in a new penpal project.
Yes, penpals – a nostalgic throwback to earlier times, even though these letters are typed in a mutually agreed font (Comic Sans) for easier understanding by English-language learners.
The project is the brainchild of Lorena Costa Pinheiro, an assistant language teacher at Isesaki Uehasu Junior High School, and her supervising English teacher. They wanted new ways to enhance English language grammar and textbook lessons. Lorena reached out to SSCA Executive Director Lisa Bakerink, who connected her with SSCA board member Rachel Love-Jones, SPS Opportunity & Access Curriculum Coordinator.
