Virtual Language Tables – VLT – Online International Exchanges

What is “Virtual Language Tables”?

Virtual Language Tables (Commonly known as VLT) is a place where students from Osaka Metropolitan University (OMU) / Osaka City University (OCU) and Osaka Prefecture University (OPU) and students studying Japanese at our partner universities/colleges in the U.S. can interact internationally online and enjoy learning about various cultures using English and Japanese in a casual way.


.

Here is a video of a roundtable discussion among participants.
Please enjoy watching OMU students and students studying Japanese in the U.S. talk about their experiences at VLT.

.

What do students do at the VLT?

● Students from Japan and the U.S. talk casually about any topics.

● Students from Japan and the U.S. mutually support as Japanese / English conversation partners.

● OMU/OCU/OPU students can practice using English, while students from the U.S. can practice using Japanese, to improve their target language.

● Students engage in cross-cultural communication and learn about various cultures.

What reasons do students have for participating in the VLT?

For students at OMU/OCU/OPU, they…

● want to make international friends

● want to use English to improve their proficiency

● want to have an experience to volunteer

● want to improve communication skills

● are not confident speaking in English, but want to talk casually with overseas

● are shy, but want to change to be more active

.

For students studying Japanese, they …

● want to make international friends

● want to talk casually with students in Japan

● want to practice using Japanese to improve their proficiency

● want to improve communication skills

.

Students’ Voices from the U.S.

● I met people living on the other side of the world.

● It was an amazing experience!

● I learned more about Japanese culture and gained different perspectives.

● I improved my Japanese speaking proficiency.

● I realized how much more to learn to be able to speak fluent Japanese.

● OCU students helped students practice the dialogue check, which was great!

● I learned the importance of practicing Japanese with a partner.

.
.

Students’ Voices from Japan*

● I found that once I took the first step, I could get by surprisingly well!

● I was able to give a thesis presentation in English, which was my goal! I could challenge myself because I got a little more comfortable speaking English thanks to the Language Tables!

● I was hesitant because of my limited English ability, but I learned if I have passion, I can communicate in English!

● I was shy, but I became more active!

● It was interesting to learn about American culture, especially learning things I didn’t expect!

● I noticed many attractive things about my own country, Japan!

● I have come to like Japan. I wanted to know more about my own country, too!

● I had a lot of fun talking with students from other countries at the Language Tables, and it was a precious opportunity for me to interact with students from other countries.

● I am so glad I was given an opportunity to be a leader! I’m sure there were some things I did not do well, but even with those things and the mistakes I made, it was a very meaningful time, and I learned a lot!

● I can now talk to students in the U.S. like they are my friends!

*Translated by staff at OMU

 

Ongoing Virtual Language Tables

【7th Language Tables – Fall Semester 2023】

Program Period:

September 6, 2023 – December 9, 2023

Mon.-Fri. (Eastern Standard Time, USA)

Two sessions per day (1 hour/session)

 

Partner Universities/Colleges in the U.S.:

・University at Buffalo – The State University of New York (SUNY)

・Hunter College – The City University of New York (CUNY)

・Lehman College – CUNY

・John Jay College of Criminal Justice – CUNY

・Manhattan College

・Boston College

Old Dominion University

Bridgewater State University

Andrews University

Adelphi University

Hofstra University

Northeastern University

University of Massachusetts Amherst

Brandeis University

Smith College

OMU exchange students   


【6th Language Tables – Summer Semester 2023】

Program Period:

June 2, 2023 – August 16, 2023

Mon.-Fri. (Eastern Standard Time, USA)

Two sessions per day (1 hour/session)

 

Partner Universities/Colleges in the U.S.:

・Hunter College – CUNY

 


【5th Language Tables – Spring Semester 2023】

Program Period:

February 7, 2023 – April 28, 2023

Mon.-Fri. (Eastern Standard Time, USA)

Two sessions per day (1 hour/session)

.

Partner Universities/Colleges in the U.S.:

・University at Buffalo – The State University of New York (SUNY)

・Lehman College – The City University of New York (CUNY)

・Manhattan College

・Hunter College – CUNY

・John Jay College of Criminal Justice – CUNY

・Boston College

Fitchburg State University

・Old Dominion University

Bridgewater State University

Andrews University

Vertual Language Tables 2023 Spring

 


【4th Language Tables – Fall Semester 2022】

Program Period:

September 1, 2022 – December 10, 2022

Mon.-Fri. (Eastern Standard Time, USA)

Two sessions per day (1 hour/session)

.

Partner Universities/Colleges in the U.S.:

・University at Buffalo – State University of New York (SUNY)

・Hunter College – City University of New York (CUNY)

・Lehman College – CUNY

・John Jay College of Criminal Justice – CUNY

・Manhattan College

・Boston College 

・Old Dominion University

Virtual Language Tables 2022 Fall

 


【3rd Language Tables – Summer Semester 2022】

Program Period:

June 6, 2022 – August 17, 2022

August 19, 2022 USA / August 20, 2022 Japan  (Closing Session & Party)

Sun.-Thu. (Eastern Standard Time, USA)

One session per day (30 minutes or 1 hour/session)

.

Partner Universities/Colleges in the U.S.:

・Hunter College – City University of New York (CUNY)

・Lehman College – City University of New York (CUNY)

 


 

【2nd Language Tables – Spring Semester 2022】.

Program Period:

February 7, 2022 – May 13, 2022

May 20, 2022 USA / May 21, 2022 Japan  (Closing Session & Party)

Mon.-Fri. (Eastern Standard Time, USA)

Two sessions per day (30 minutes or 1 hour/session)

.

Partner Universities/Colleges in the U.S.:

・University at Buffalo – State University of New York (SUNY)

・Hunter College – City University of New York (CUNY)

・Lehman College – City University of New York (CUNY)

・Manhattan College

.

Number of Participating Students:

OCU/OPU: 61 students, a cumulative total of 646 students (undergraduate and graduate students)

Weekly shift system

Students in the U.S.: 356 students,* a cumulative total of 811 students
* Participation in one slot = 30 minutes counts as one person. However one slot = 60 minutes for Lehman College.

.


.

【1st Language Tables – Fall Semester 2021】.

Program Period:

September 7, 2021 – December 10, 2021

December 17, 2021 USA / December 18, 2021 Japan (Closing Session & Party)

Mon.-Fri. (Eastern Standard Time, USA)

Two sessions per day (1 hour/session)

.

Participating Universities:

Osaka City University

University at Buffalo (UB) – State University of New York (USA)

.

Number of Participating Students:

OCU: 48 students (undergraduate and graduate students)

UB: 305 students (undergraduate students)

.

If you are interested in participating in our Language Tables
or have any questions, please contact us via email or contact form.

 

.

Contact

COIL Promotion Office, Osaka Metropolitan University, Japan
Email: gr-las-coil_@omu.ac.jp
Contact Form

.

* In April 2022, Osaka City University and Osaka Prefecture University merged into a new university―Osaka Metropolitan University (OMU), which has become the largest public university in Japan.