Enhancing Japanese High School Students’ Global Awareness Through Pre-exchange Learning: A Case Study Using the MINPACK Suitcase Kit

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to foster awareness of coexistence and a global perspective among Japanese public high school students who have limited opportunities to interact with foreigners and feel uncomfortable using English. This goal was pursued by promoting cross-cultural understanding through hands-on activities, conducted entirely in Japanese. The program targeted 54 second-grade students from a general course at a public high school in Hyogo Prefecture and was implemented during a special schedule of three 50-minute sessions. As preparation for an exchange with an Egyptian lecturer, a suitcase-style teaching kit from the National Museum of Ethnology was used. This kit, widely utilized in elementary and junior high schools, includes real-life objects and promotes active engagement with diverse cultures. In class, students worked in groups of four, explored Egyptian household items, discussed their potential uses, and shared findings with peers. A pre-class survey showed that over half of the students expressed low interest in foreign cultures. However, classroom observations revealed increased enthusiasm and active participation. Post-class reflections indicated a notable shift in student attitudes, with many expressing greater interest in Egyptian culture. Text mining of the free-response reflections showed an increase in keywords related to curiosity, understanding, and cross-cultural communication. These findings suggest that even short-term, language-free intercultural programs can enhance students’ interest in global diversity and promote more inclusive perspectives.

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Author Information
Tomoshige Yamaguchi, Hyogo Prefectural Yokawa High School, Japan
Rika Iwami, Hyogo University of Teacher Education, Japan

• Category: International Education

Posted by James Alexander Gordon

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