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.

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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.

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★ 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?

● 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

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● 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

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★ 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.

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★ 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

【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)

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●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

 

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【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)

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●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

 

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【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)

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●Partner Universities/Colleges in the U.S.:

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

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

 

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【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)

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●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

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●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.

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【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)

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●Participating Universities:

・Osaka City University

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

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●Number of Participating Students:

・OCU: 48 students (undergraduate and graduate students)

・UB: 305 students (undergraduate students)

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★ Contact

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

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* 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.