On Thursday, September 4 and Monday, September 8, 2025, the second session of our regular online exchange program was held between Kodomo Gakushu Kyoshitsu, a Japanese language school in Hawaii, and HOPPA Preschool at its Kyoto Karasuma and Tokyo Setagaya campuses in Japan.
This special online class gives children in Japan and Hawaii the opportunity to learn, play, and connect together despite the distance between them.
The theme this time was summer. Through games and shared activities, the children communicated in both Japanese and English while deepening international friendships in a fun and natural way.
In this article, we would like to share what the lesson looked like, how it was prepared, and why this kind of international exchange is so meaningful for children.
Overview of the Online Lesson: A Summer-Themed Bilingual Memory Game
The main activity in this online lesson was a summer-themed memory game using both Japanese and English.
The rules were simple. The children watched a video for 30 seconds showing illustrations of animals and objects related to summer. After that, some items were hidden at random, and the children had to identify which ones were missing.
The Hawaii team answered in Japanese, while the Japan team answered in English. This format allowed the children to enjoy communicating across language differences in a playful and exciting way.
For example, the video included items such as:
- a baseball bat
- a hat
- a shrimp
- a sea lion
In just 30 seconds, the children stared at the screen with bright eyes, trying hard to remember every detail.
When it was time to answer, the classroom filled with a mix of excitement and a little nervous energy as the children challenged themselves in a different language.
Even though the lesson lasted only about 30 minutes, the children were fully engaged from beginning to end. The Hawaii team eagerly called out in Japanese,
“Ebi arimasu ka?”
while the Japan team answered cheerfully in English,
“Did you hide grapes?”
It was a wonderful example of the joy of international exchange.
After the lesson, many of the children said things like:
- “That was so fun!”
- “I want to do more next time!”
Their enthusiasm brought smiles to the teachers’ faces as well.
Careful Preparation by the Teachers: Making the Children’s Smiles Possible
Behind the success of this Japanese-English online lesson was a great deal of careful planning by the teachers.
The teachers from Kodomo Gakushu Kyoshitsu and HOPPA Preschool spent weeks preparing the lesson so the children could learn while having fun. From planning the activity and designing the game to selecting and preparing the video materials, everything was carefully thought out in advance.
In particular, the teachers paid close attention to choosing a theme that would naturally interest children: summer.
They selected illustrations and videos that reflected both the similarities and differences between summer in Japan and summer in Hawaii, making the content easy and enjoyable for the children to connect with.
To lower the language barrier, the children were also given time beforehand to practice simple words and phrases. The children in Hawaii learned Japanese vocabulary, while the children in Japan practiced English vocabulary so they could participate more smoothly on the day of the lesson.
These thoughtful preparations created an environment where the children could join with confidence.
The teachers also had to manage the unique challenges of online learning, such as ensuring a stable internet connection and finding ways to keep the children focused through the screen. Their flexibility and problem-solving made the lesson run smoothly, and on the day of the class, it was wonderful to see the teachers leading and supporting the children with warm smiles.
International Communication for Children: Learning and Growing Through Play
This online lesson was about much more than just playing a game.
First, from a language-learning perspective, the children had a chance to experience Japanese and English naturally through play. For the Hawaii team especially, answering in Japanese gave them the opportunity to challenge themselves in a language they may not use as often, helping build confidence and curiosity. In the same way, the Japan team deepened their interest in English and other cultures by answering in English.
The lesson also had great value as an opportunity for international exchange.
Watching children in Japan and Hawaii laugh together on the same screen and cheer each other on gave them a real sense that there are friends in other parts of the world living in different environments. Experiences like this help broaden children’s perspectives and can become the first step toward developing a more global mindset.
The game also supported the development of concentration, memory, and teamwork. Remembering information in just 30 seconds and answering accurately stimulates children’s cognitive skills. In addition, working together as a team to think through the answers helped the children learn the importance of communication and cooperation.
Kodomo Gakushu Kyoshitsu’s Approach to Japanese Education: Creating a Global Learning Environment
At Kodomo Gakushu Kyoshitsu, we place great importance on providing children with a variety of learning opportunities.
This online lesson is one part of that mission. By collaborating with HOPPA’s Kyoto Karasuma and Tokyo Setagaya campuses, we were able to create a meaningful exchange between children in Japan and Hawaii.
At the heart of our educational philosophy is the belief that children should learn while having fun and develop respect for one another. This lesson beautifully reflected that idea.
By using an online format, we are able to create opportunities for connection beyond geographical distance. Since the pandemic, online learning has become much more common, but at Kodomo Gakushu Kyoshitsu, we do not see online tools simply as a substitute for in-person teaching. We see them as a way to open new worlds for children.
Through programs like this, we hope to continue giving children more chances to connect across borders and learn from one another’s language and culture.
Looking Ahead: More Fun, More Depth, and More Growth Through Japanese
This online lesson was surely a memorable experience for the children. But it is only the beginning.
At Kodomo Gakushu Kyoshitsu, we plan to continue holding regular online exchange lessons and further develop the themes and games in the future. We are excited to see what kinds of activities will come next as vocabulary expands and the children become even more comfortable participating.
We are also working on more ways to help children take an active role in the lessons. For example, we choose songs for the opening and closing that can be sung in both Japanese and English, allowing children to learn language through music.
In the past, the children have also:
- exchanged self-introduction videos
- shared storytelling time
- introduced local foods from their own regions
These activities have helped deepen friendships even more. The lovely letters and posters displayed in our classroom were gifts from our friends in Japan. We would be delighted for you to come and see them.
Our teachers will continue updating the lesson content flexibly based on the children’s interests, reactions, and growth.
Children’s Smiles Connect the Future of Japan and the United States
The online lessons held on September 4 and 8 were filled with children’s smiles, a little nervous excitement, and lots of laughter.
Seeing children in Japan and Hawaii calling out together through the screen, saying things like “Yatta!” and “We did it!”, was truly heartwarming.
Through these opportunities, children learn to enjoy differences in language and culture while also learning the importance of respect, cooperation, and communication.
This initiative at Kodomo Gakushu Kyoshitsu is more than just play or study time. It is a first step toward helping children thrive in a global future and discover the joy of connecting with people from different backgrounds.
The children’s shining eyes and courage to try something new will surely help create a brighter and more connected world.
We are already looking forward to the next online lesson and another wonderful time filled with smiles and curiosity.