Global Classmates is a six-month virtual cross-cultural exchange program from September through February of the following year, in which students from Japan and the U.S. engage in ongoing exchange of comments, photos, and videos in both English and Japanese, either in class or in clubs. Participants from each school are about 20 to 30 students. A school in Japan is paired with another school in the US, often just one class from each school, to engage as a class together. For the 13th year of the program in 2024, we plan on providing the program to 39 high schools in Japan and in the US, respectively. 

Thanks to the support of many people, Global Classmates has connected over 18,500 students from more than 600 schools since the start of the program in 2012. The average satisfaction rate of participating students is as high as 96%. For more information on the features of Global Classmates and testimonials from past participants, please visit the KAC website. 

Guiding students through online language and cultural exchange is a new way of teaching. For most of our teachers, this is new and unfamiliar territory. KAC ensures a successful exchange program by assigning a Coordinator to each pair to guide teachers through everything from how to use the e-classroom to planning discussion topics throughout the program. They also work with teachers to customize the program to meet the needs of both teachers and use the knowledge gained from the past exchange to help get the most out of the program. 

This project’s goal is to increase the level of engagement between Japanese and the US students. Each school collects gifts such as snacks, magazines, school supplies, and other cultural knick-knacks, as well as hand-written notes, to put together in a box to send them to their partner classmates across the ocean. The students really enjoy thinking about what to send and are also so excited to receive items from their partner classmates. Through this “real” experience, the virtual exchange is brought to another level and the students feel a stronger connection with one another, becoming more active in the exchange. 

Must be a high school class that meets the criteria a-c

1. Throughout the program period, from September to February of the following year (*1), under teacher’s supervision, ensure students gather in class to engage on Canvas* at least 1 hour per week. The teacher must meet in person with the students to provide guidance and support for the exchange. 

• While we do have some schools participate as part of club activity, we recommend participating as part of a class, as it has shown a more consistent outcome.

2. Consent to the use of personal photos and/or videos on Canvas

• Unless otherwise authorized, photos and videos may only be viewed by the paired Japanese and U.S. high school students and support staff from KAC.

3. Ensure at least 1 computer or tablet at school per student with internet access to Global Classmates online classroom on Canvas

 *1: If you are unable to attend until February, please let us know through the application process.

*2: Canvas (https://k12.instructure.com/ ) is the online educational exchange platform that is used for the program. Please make sure you are able to access the website as some areas may restrict access or have insufficient internet speed. 

KAC is looking for schools that have a passionate teacher, students who are curious about their friends abroad, a reliable internet connection at school, and at least one hour a week to engage in the activities (the teacher should use this time to look at the online activities with the students to encourage and motivate them to communicate and actively post comments).

What’s also important is the teacher’s desire to provide a new experience for their students and have them make long-lasting friends in another country. As the partner teacher will also be passionately participating, ensuring close communication and caring for the partner class as if it is your own are necessary. The primary method of communication between teachers will be Email, so it is essential to be able to check Email throughout the program (The general rule is to respond to Email within two days). 

We hope you consider our program as a way to connect students with their peers abroad without needing to travel and as a tool to improve their language skills. We look forward to your application.

To apply：

• Please complete the online application form below

Deadline：

• Friday, April, 12th, 2024

After completing the online application：

• KAC will follow up with each applicant to conduct telephone interviews with a Global Classmates lead teacher. 

• Telephone interviews are scheduled to begin in mid-March. 

• If  you do not hear from KAC about a telephone interview after mid-April, there is a chance that the application was not complete. If this is the case, please contact us to inquire about your status at usa@kacultures.org for US applications or at japan@kacultures.org for Japanese applications. 

Announcement on Participation Decisions：

• Participation decisions will be made in mid to late May.

• After the selected high schools sign the participation documents, KAC will announce the partner schools and KAC coordinators in June.