Description:

This conversation class was organised for firefighters and rescuers so that they could learn expressions necessary when rescuing or providing first aid to foreigners.

 

 

Objectives:

The main objective was to provide training to rescuers so that they would be able to deal with the growing foreign population in cases of emergency.

Conversation Classes:

The Firefighters' Association introduced a monthly conversation class for rescuers in fiscal year 2006, using a teacher from the Board of Education. Emergency response training involving ALTs was also organised as part of this class.
There are not many cases in this region where foreigners have needed assistance or have needed to be rescued; however the foreign population is gradually increasing, so having the opportunity to learn useful expressions through a conversation class is beneficial.

 

Emergency Response Training:

Just like at an English conversation school, the Japanese teacher was in charge of the training, while three ALTs provided support.
First, the teacher would present vocabulary such as country names, professions, symptoms or body parts, and teach expressions using those words. ALTs helped with pronunciation.
Next, rescuers and ALTs enacted an actual emergency situation through role-playing. The ALTs played the victims, carrying cards showing various nationalities, names, professions and their symptoms, such as dizziness, nausea, etc.
The rescuers asked ALTs their name, nationality and symptoms and wrote them on a worksheet.
Finally, worksheets were collected and the main points were reviewed and answers compared.

Schedule:

The Firefighters' Association wanted to organise a conversation class involving foreigners. The Board of Education was consulted and ALTs were approached for assistance. The emergency response training was organised during summer holidays when ALTs do not teach at school.
Other session will be organised during the winter holidays and at other times when ALTs are able to attend.

 

Discussing Course Contents and Creation of Documents:

The Board of Education listened to the objectives of the Firefighters' Association and the content of the conversation class was planned by the teacher in line with these objectives.
Teaching materials were also made: worksheets with vocabulary (nationalities, professions, etc) and panels with illustrations displaying the various emergency situations (used in role-plays).

 

Preparation with the ALTs:

The teacher explained to ALTs the lesson plan and their roles when they were in the office of the Board of Education.

 

PR:

This project was reported to a local FM radio station and a local newspaper in advance, so that they came to cover the story. The teacher and ALTs were interviewed, and the participants were also interviewed by the radio station.

Hirosaki City (Aomori Prefecture)

Board of Education

Guidance Division

Tel: 0172-82-1644

 

Hirosaki Region Fire Department

This is a very interesting project. As the foreign population increases, it is likely that the demand for this kind of project will rise.