Soka University’s World Language Center (WLC) provides various extra-curricular programs while running language education programs, all in order to support students in improving their language skills. The WLC, located in SPACe in Global Square, hosts programs including: the “Chit Chat Club,” where students can enjoy English conversation with exchange students from overseas or with students who have experience studying abroad; the “English Forum,” where students can have casual discussion ranging from social and international issues to topics related to daily life; and the “Global Village,” where students can communicate with exchange students from overseas in more than 10 languages, including Chinese, Russian, and Spanish.

In order to assist students in improving their language levels through participation in these programs, the WLC has established an awards system based on the number of times students participate in these programs. This time, the WLC awarded three students who achieved a participation level of 100 times (a total of 4,500 minutes of English conversation) with a 2015 Fall VIP Platinum Member Award, two students who participated 60 times (a total of 2,700 minutes of English conversation) with a Gold Member Award, and 69 students who achieved a participation of 20 times (a total of 900 minutes of English conversation) with a VIP Member Award.

Below are comments by three students who received a Platinum Member Award.

● Hideyuki Taira (undergraduate research student)
1. Why did you aim to become a Platinum Member?
→ My dream is to become a researcher. I began visiting the WLC because, in the future, I will need to speak English.
2. What is your goal moving forward?
→ In February, I will be taking an entry exam for graduate school, and the subject of the exam is English only. I want to pass this exam and then contribute to society by writing English papers and giving presentations at international conferences.
3. Do you feel that your English skills have improved?
→ Originally, I didn’t like English and didn’t have confidence speaking it, but now I can call out to exchange students that I meet on campus. I feel that gradually my English level is improving through the WLC programs.

●Yoshiki Ochiai (Faculty of Engineering, Department of Bioinformatics, junior)
1. What are the benefits of visiting the WLC?
→ To be able to have exchanges with many exchange students as well as with students who have studied abroad; not only was I exposed to English, I was also able to hear about the stories of those who lived overseas. It was also greatly beneficial to meet other fellow students who are striving to improve their language skills.
2. What is your goal moving forward?
→ My dream is to play an active role in the world as a scientist. To this end, I plan to attend graduate school abroad, so my goal is to get high scores in the TOEFL iBT exam, which is required to apply to graduate school.
3. Do you feel that your English skills have improved?
→ By attending the English Forum and the Chit Chat Club, I have been able to increase my ability to express myself better, and my lack of confidence in speaking English has gradually decreased.

●Seiji Hironaga (Faculty of Engineering, Department of Information System Engineering, sophomore)
1. What are the benefits of visiting the WLC?
→ I was able to interact with exchange students from various countries, and now I don’t resist speaking English.
2. What is your goal moving forward?
→ I belong to a diving club, called the “Ocean Survey Expedition Club,” so I want to speak English overseas and dive.