Feb 23rd
The eighth orientation program was the final lesson in English conversation...
Lisa was unwell, so Joe and Tony helped out.
To celebrate the end of the English conversation course, we had our usual pizza party, which was delicious.Tatsuno Town (Nagano Prefecture) and Waitomo District (New Zealand)..are international sister cities. A volunteer group: TIA (Tatsuno International Association) is doing various activities for the foreigners living in Tatsuno and the international exchange promotions for both towns and the support services. We show you about our activities here.
Feb 23rd
The eighth orientation program was the final lesson in English conversation...
Lisa was unwell, so Joe and Tony helped out.
To celebrate the end of the English conversation course, we had our usual pizza party, which was delicious. November 17, 2024
The opening ceremony for the 30th Waitomo Homestay Program orientation was held.

Many guests attended the ceremony, including Superintendent Miyazawa, who has been helping us since the selection process, Ms.Aoyama Associate Professor of Honan Junior College, and Ms.Mary Ariga Teacher of Suwa Tokyo University of Science, to celebrate the opening of the 10th orientation curriculum.

The participants this time are...
IWAMOTO SHINGO, Tatsuno Junior High School, boys
NUKUI TAMAKI, Tatsuno Junior High School, girls
AKAHANE TAMAE, Tatsuno Junior High School, girls
AKAHANE YUA, Tatsuno Junior High School, girls
HAMA KOTARO, Tatsuno Junior High School, boys
KAMIJO CHIHO, Ryo-ono Junior High School, girls
KISHIDA NOKA, Ryo-ono Junior High School, girls
OIDA SATOSHI, Seiryo Junior High School, boys
They will be accompanied by KAKIUCHI AKIRA, president of the International Exchange Association.
May 26, 2024
The Tatsuno International Association regular general meeting was held.
In March 2024, junior high school students were able to visit Waitomo for the first time in five years, making it a fulfilling year.
This year (2024-2025) will be a year of preparation for our 30th anniversary.
We will be sending and welcoming visiting groups for our anniversary projects, and it will be a year of mutual visits.
We would like to prepare ingeniously.
After the general meeting, a report session was held by the returning junior high school students.
Mr. Nozawa, who accompanied them, also sent us a message from Turkey via LINE video call.
After cleaning up the venue, we had a social gathering at Masako's "Ore nji" (orange).
Although it is slow, events are gradually returning to pre-COVID times.
2024年5月26日
辰野国際交流協会定期総会が開催されました。
2023年度は5年ぶりにワイトモへ中学生が訪問でき、充実した一年でした。
今年度(2024年度)は30周年を迎える準備の一年になると思われます。
周年記念事業に向けた訪問団も送ったり、歓迎したり・・・相互に行き来する一年に成ることでしょう。
工夫をして準備したいものです。
総会終了後、帰国中学生に依る報告会が行われました。 付き添いで同行した野澤先生もトルコからLINEビデオ電話でメッセージを下さいました。
会場を片付けて正子さんの「俺ん家"(オレンジ)」で懇親会を致しました。徐々にではありますが、イベントはコロナ前に戻りつつあります。
Since the opening ceremony held on November 12th last year, the six junior high school students in the delegation have taken eight courses, including English conversation, the history and culture of Tatsuno, New Zealand's nature, culture and history, calligraphy, origami, and Japanese play. They have learned how to communicate such things in anticipation of an exchange in New Zealand, and have practiced Maori songs and the popular dance among young Japanese people in preparation for our performance at the exchange event.

They will finally leave Narita for New Zealand on the 18th.
We look forward to many results.
The third orientation was held on December 17, 2023.
第3回オリエンテーションは2023年12月17日に開催されました。
旅行会社の担当者がパスポートの申請方法について説明し、その後、いつものようにリサとメアリーが英会話のレッスンをしてくれました。 自己紹介や挨拶を中心にペアになってロールプレイングを行いました。
September 17, 2023
The 18th Japanese Speech Contest and 22nd English Speech Contest sponsored by the Tatsuno International Exchange Association were held.
This is the association's core business, and once this contest is held, We feel tense, knowing that the program for the Waitomo Homestay in March next year will finally begin.
It started with a Japanese speech by Ms. Enkhuzaya from Mongolia, who is learning Japanese, followed by English speeches by junior high school students such as Mss Miyazawa and Mss Horiuchi, who participated in the video, and Mss Shirotori, who participated for the third consecutive time.
A total of 14 junior high school students gave wonderful speeches about their favorite artists, club activities, the local area, and themselves.
The judging was conducted by Superintendent Mr. Miyazawa,Honan College Associate Professor Ms. Aoyama , Suwa University of Science Lecturer Ms. Ariga Sensei, ALTs Ms. Merazil, and Ms.Farah .
Result is....
1st place Rei Shirotori “This is Me”
2nd place Nami Konno “My Dream”
2nd place Reika Sawai "Future Dream"
3rd place Rio Kamijima "Cheer Dance"
Ms. Enkhzaya was presented with the “Award for passing N2”.
As the judges said in their reviews, the English proficiency of the junior high school students was improving, and the content of the stories was moving, making it a difficult contest to judge.
With many families and related parties in attendance, it was the first contest in a long time to be filled with excitement. thank you very much.
2023年9月17日
辰野国際交流協会主催の第17回日本語スピーチコンテストと第22回英語スピーチコンテストが行われました。協会の基幹事業であり、このコンテストが行われると、いよいよ来年3月のワイトモ・ホームステイに向けてのプログラムが始まるのだな・・・と気が引き締まります。日本語を学ぶモンゴルのエンフザヤさんの日本語スピーチから始まり、ビデオ出場の中学生宮澤さん、堀内さん、そして3回連続出場となる白鳥さん等中学生に依る英語スピーチ・・・と続きました。中学生は総勢14人、好きなアーティストの事、クラブ活動のこと、地域のこと、自分自身のこと・・・それぞれが素晴らしいスピーチでした。審査は宮澤教育長、豊南短大准教授青山先生、諏訪理科大講師有賀先生、ALTのジル先生、ファラ先生の5人で行われました。結果は1位 Rei Shirotori ”This is Me”2位 Nami Konno ”My Dream”2位 Reika Sawai "Future Dream"3位 Rio Kamijima "Cheer Dance"Enkhzaya さんには ”N2合格するで賞” が贈られました。審査員のみなさんが講評で述べられたように、中学生の英語力が高くなってきていて、感動するような内容の話があり、優劣付け難いコンテストでした。ご家族、関係者の聴講も多く、久しぶりに熱気に包まれたコンテストとなりました。ありがとうございました。