Washington Welcomes Two Guest Teachers from Japan
Redmond and Kentlake schools will host teaching assistants in Japanese language courses
The Executive Director of the Japan’s Hyogo Business and Cultural Center, Mr. Hidekai Kawachi, visited OSPI on August 24 to introduce two exchange teachers they are sponsoring who will be teaching assistants for Japanese language programs at Redmond Middle School, Redmond High School, and Kentlake High School during the 2016–17 school year.

These guest teachers are Mrs. Yoko Hirohata and Ms. Yuki Yamane. Mr. Kawachi was accompanied by Jessica Record, Lead Project Assistant for the Hyogo Business and Culture Center.
The meeting at OSPI was led by Angela Dávila, World Languages Program Supervisor.
We were able to discuss Japanese programs in our state which enrolled nearly 8,000 students last year,” said Dávila. “In Washington, world languages in middle and high schools are elective in nature. Enrollment, resources, and community demand can drive language programs offered at any particular school.”
Both of the teachers who have come to Washington from Japan have taught English as a foreign language for more than 10 years. The Japanese exchange teachers shared their excitement about being in Washington state for the first time and how much they look forward to working with American students who are learning Japanese as a world language.
Dávila shared Superintendent Reykdal’s long range vision of developing “early start” world language programs in Washington.
“If we begin second language acquisition in K-8, we can drastically close learning gaps for our English learners while simultaneously bringing native English speakers up to par with the rest of the world by having them learn a second language.”
From Superintendent Reykdal’s Long-term K-12 Education Vision.
Mr. Kawachi indicated that his organization, the Hyogo Business and Cultural Center, will conduct key activities during the upcoming year to promote Japanese language and culture and strengthen business connections between Washington and Hyogo Prefecture in Japan.
He expressed the importance of continuing the Friendship Agreement OSPI and Japan’s Hyogo Prefecture have enjoyed since 1963. The meeting adjourned with a tour of the historic Old Capitol Building where OSPI has been housed since the early 1900’s.
For more information about Washington’s World Languages program, visit k12.wa.us/WorldLanguages.
