At Fuji, there are a total of five qualified native English speakers who are in charge of these classes. A normal class is split into two different groups, with a teacher looking after each group. This means that class sizes rarely exceed 20 students. With these small class sizes, the teachers can monitor closely the progress of students on a more individual basis, while the students have more of a chance to speak English and practise what they have learned in their other English classes.

　So, how do the students go about actually learning conversational English at Fuji? Well, their classes are textbook-based which provides a necessary structure for their lessons. Coupled with this structure, the students have the chance to enjoy learning English with a variety of puzzles, performances and other fun challenges. They also have ample chance to communicate with their classmates using English, and in the process, shed any inhibitions which might prove to be a hinderance later on in their study of languages.

Being a homestay trip, the students will be looked after by a family living in Adelaide or the surrounding area. This is an excellent opportunity for the students to use their English communicative skills and ensure that they can comprehend, and indeed makes themselves understood, in a foreign language and within a foreign environment.

The morning itinerary sees the students study practical English at a local Catholic girls' high school. Here, they have the chance to mingle and meet with girls like themselves and experience school life in Australia first hand. Afternoons are usually a time when the students go out as a group on an excursion where they can put into practice what they have learned, all the while enjoying their experience of Australian culture.

This trip provides an excellent chance for the students to think about their ability to communicate, not only using a foreign language, but also on a more simple person-to-person basis. Furthermore, it can also be an important experience for students where they can see how well they cope in a different environment, as well as how well they can cope with little challenges and tribulations that they will not come across in Japan.

　This trip is a great experience for students to analyse their proficiency in English after four years of study and to further their understanding of a different culture and environment. Oft overlooked is the fact that in addition to this trip being invaluable to the students with respect to them learning a foreign language and observing a foreign culture, it is also a superb opportunity for the students to look at their own culture with a different, hitherto hidden, viewpoint. They can look at Japanese culture from a new perspective and see how well they can talk about it in English to their new Canadian friends.

　This trip is also a homestay language trip where the students become a new family member for two weeks. In the mornings, they study English language and learn about Canadian culture. Afternoons are usually a chance for the girls to move outside and enjoy some hands-on practical learning with a variety of outings and events.

　Two weeks away from home and with a completely different family, all in English, is a tough task for anyone. One would be forgiven for expecting to see a weary group happily heading back to catch their flight home on the final day, but the reluctance with which the participants say goodbye to their host families and head back to Japan speaks volumes for their flexibility and language skills.

　The Fuji English recitation contest. This is where students, over the course of several afternoons, listen to speeches made by their classmates. The top students go on to represent the school in a variety of speech contests held in Sapporo.

　A delegation of students from China. The visiting students stayed with Fuji students for a day and were able to look around the school. This was followed by an overnight stay with a student's family. This event provided both sets of students with the opportunity to find out more about and understand each other.

　A visit from Cambodian children. This is now a yearly event where children from Cambodia visit the school and enjoy playing games with the girls at Fuji. The visitors are from a particularly poor area of Cambodia and, thanks to the help of donations from the students and the tireless efforts of the gentleman in the picture, now have the luxury of a well in their village.

　The final picture shows the students who belong to the English and French clubs enjoying foreign culture in the form of cookies. These two after school clubs give the students time to find out about other countries and learn basic communicative skills in the respective languages.

　 Of course, there are many other events in addition to these where the students can learn about the world at large and prepare themselves when they leave the school, safe in the knowledge that they are ready to start making their way with confidence in our increasingly international society.

　There are a total of five such teachers at Fuji, each one hailing from a different country and therefore bringing a different culture to the school. Students can often be seen chatting with the teachers after school, asking them about English, or even frantically using their last study session for an upcoming Eiken (English Proficiency) test.

　Within a short time, this day-to-day contact can help the students relax and be more comfortable and positive when communicating with someone who is non-Japanese. Furthermore, it is of particular benefit if the students make a habit of it and can help them make big strides in terms of the level of English communication.

　From the top, the pictures to the right show:

　1. Three junior high students who are showing something to their teacher from Australia.

　2. Two 4th year students who are practising for their Eiken test with their teacher from Scotland.

　3. A junior high student who, again, is preparing for her Eiken test. Helping her is an American Sister who is also her teacher.

　4. Some new senior girls asking for some assistance from their Zambian teacher.

　With such a variety of accents to listen to, the students are reaping the benefits when it comes to improving their listening skills !