Year 7 students at Tewkesbury Academy enjoyed a vibrant and engaging introduction to Japanese culture, thanks to a special visit from students of Gifu Shotoku Gakuen Junior High School in Japan.
The Japanese students are spending time at the academy to improve their English skills and experience British culture first-hand, with their stay including a range of educational and cultural excursions.
As part of their visit, the Japanese students delivered a moving performance of Land of Hope and Glory to an appreciative Year 7 audience. This was followed by a series of interactive cultural activities, including origami, calligraphy, traditional Japanese games, and fun language challenges. The sessions offered a unique opportunity for both groups of students to connect and learn from one another in a lively, hands-on setting.
A highlight of the exchange is the home-stay element, where the visiting students live with local families. This experience offers invaluable insight into everyday English life and language, deepening their understanding of British customs and fostering international friendship.
A spokesperson from Tewkesbury Academy said: “It has been a joy to watch our students and our visitors from Gifu Shotoku Gakuen interact so warmly.
“Cultural exchanges like this are incredibly enriching—they not only support language learning but also broaden horizons and build lifelong memories.”
