STUDENT INTERVIEW: Francois Brunner (CALL/Private)

Francois Brunner

Jon: You've just finished your studies here today, how has it been?
Francois: Very interesting, I worked very hard. For me, I really learned a lot and now my head is full up!! I'm not an expert on Japanese language teachers, but the ones I had I thought were really good. The choice I made to have 3 private lessons and then one CALL seminar lesson was certainly the right one.

J: You were one of the first people to take lessons in the new CALL seminar program; how were they?
F: I think what you've done with the computer based learning is fantastic. There were a few problems at the beginning with the computer, but nothing serious. I was given simple instructions on how to use the program, but I think you need to find to find your own way of using the software and how you will get the most out of it. I found it very productive.

J: How many teachers did you have for the private and CALL seminar lessons?
F: I had three teachers. Nagato sensei was my teacher for all the private lessons and then I had Tadashi Sugita sensei and Erina Kato sensei for the CALL seminar lessons. Erina sensei has a very nice way with drawings to explain things easily.

J: What accommodation did you stay in?
F: A homestay.
J: Did you find that a good experience?
F: It was fantastic! They were a lovely family and we understand eachother very well. It gave me the chance to live in a family and the opportunity to experience many things I wouldn't have otherwise. I went on many excursions whilst I was staying with them.
J: Where did you go?
F: I was invited to so many places by so many people! Last week I went to Mt Fuji. I also went to Kyoto, Biwa Lake and a tea ceremony where they wrote poetry - my host family are like my family back home.

J: So everything was more or less as you expected?
F: I try to keep an open mind about things and I didn't come to Japan expecting anything in particular. I found Japanese people to be very open.
J: Did that surprise you?
F: In a way, yes. In Europe you often see Japanese going round together in a tour group keeping themselves to themselves. One thing that was a little difficult for me was to get away from the European habit of expressing your friendship towards somebody through a hug or a touch which they don't do here. I had to be careful sometimes!

J: What was the highlight of your 5 weeks in Japan?
F: I don't think it's possible to say that one thing was the best.
J: Okay, what about something you'll tell your family when you return to Switzerland.
F: Well, the funniest thing was last Friday, when I went with my host family to a fondue dinner. Not only did they dip the bread and cheese in the fondue, but also vegetables and small eggs. I'd never seen a fondue like this before but I thought it was a really good idea.

J: You went ski-ing with Declan Murphy and some other students to Hakuba a few weeks ago. What was that like?
F: The first weekend I was here I went ski-ing and it couldn't have been better. The weather and ski conditions were perfect.
J: How did ski-ing in Japan compare to ski-ing in Switzerland?
F: At Tsugaike Kogen, there weren't many difficult slopes, but the good thing was that everyone was very polite when queuing for the lifts. No pushing or shoving like there is in Europe.

J: People occasionally have problems with some of the food in Japan, how about you?
F: In Switzerland I would sometimes go to a Japanese restaurant so I was familiar with the food. In fact, I've been to the Kaiten Sushi restaurant on route 248 every lunchtime! You eat and you feel good. I don't think I had the same meal twice at my homestay.

J: You seemed to have a great time. Any bad points?
F: I lost my camera......temporarily.
J: How?
F: I always kept it in the pocket of my jacket, and although it fell out a few times I didn't think I would lose it. However, one day, when I returned home to my host family I found that I didn't have it. I didn't know specifically where I'd lost it but I thought it might have been on the bus when I was returning home. So a member of my host family called the bus company, we went to the office at Higashi Okazaki station and amazingly they had the camera! Somebody had handed it in later the same day. That's one of the great things about Japan - the honesty of the people.

J: When you return to Switzerland will you continue learning Japanese?
F: Yes. I know some Japanese people back home and a friend of my daughters will help me to practice what I've learned. I might even come back to Yamasa!

J: What will you do when you return home?
F: Spring is a busy time for me as I grow flowers, partly in greenhouses, partly outdoors. I'll be busy from now until the end of Autumn. I'm thinking of taking a long holiday again next Winter.

J: Do you have some advice for anyone planning to come to Japan?
F: Learn hiragana and katakana before you arrive! If you don't you'll have to learn this on top of all the new words, grammar and vocabulary that you'll be taught. After such an intensive course I need some time to put together and practice what I've learned. I think I have a good base to build from. I wanted to take more in and I'm not too pleased with myself in that sense, but I did my best and you can't ask for any more than that.

J: Thank you for your time and have a safe journey home at the weekend.
F: Thanks very much.