Students get a taste of Japan (From Basingstoke Gazette)

Students get a taste of Japan

9:36am Sunday 28th February 2010 in

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PUPILS turned Japanese for the day when they took part in a taster event for the gifted and talented.

Students in Years nine, 10 and 11 from five secondary schools in Basingstoke visited Queen Mary’s College to learn about Japan and take part in workshops about the country.

A group of about 50 pupils learned basic Japanese words and had the chance to try Aikido – a Japanese martial art.

Japanese students from The University of Winchester performed a traditional tea ceremony at lunchtime while the secondary school pupils sampled food from the country’s cuisine.

The event, organised by Basingstoke Consortium, gave gifted and talented pupils the chance to sample the traditions and customs of another country.

Carol Johnston, project manager for Basingstoke Consortium, said: “The students already study European languages and we thought we would give them a taste of something different. They had a lesson about Japanese film and learned a little calligraphy and origami.”

It was the first event of its kind to be organised by Basingstoke Consortium, and Mrs Johnston said that because of the success of the Japanese day, the team are looking into holding it again in the future.

The consortium is a partnership organisation seeking to prepare youngsters for adult life.