By Minako KAMIO

　　　From August 2 to 4 this year, I took a seminar held by the NCB language institute. In Sapporo alone some five or six hundred students go to the school whose name is the Network of Creative Brains, abbreviated to NCB. One of the biggest attractions of this school is the way of teaching, which is similar to the system used at driving schools: after you look at a class schedule which has been made out beforehand, you can reserve lessons on the day when you are able to attend the school. Since the date when you have to go to school can be fixed in advance, you can go there whenever you want to, and as the teachers at this school are from English-speaking countries, such as Australia, Canada and the U.S., all of them display their personalities and give us interesting classes.

　　　One of the aims of this seminar is to offer students the beauty of nature, away from the din and bustle of the city, to foster friendship among the various people, and to enjoy brushing up our English skills.

　　　This event was held in Niseko, where at ﾒTakagisansou Hotel,ﾓ the thirty-six participants stayed; thirty students, four teachers, and two staff members from the NCB. The students ranged in age from high school to various adult ages.

　　　Though the seminar was short because it lasted for only three consecutive days, the schedule was heavy: the students were divided into four groups, wrote original English plays, and rehearsed them under the guidance of teachers. In rendering English plays, we first created scenarios and finally presented them.

　　　At the same time, the teachers gave us by turn four lessons which were different from ordinary conversation classes in that they were more attractive because we played card games.

　　　Since not only the English lessons but also recreation activities were fruitful, we had a great time taking part in them. When we had free time, we rented mountain bikes and went to the tennis courts to play tennis. On the morning of the second day we rode in a balloon and rafted down a river all together, while at night we held a party in a big room of the hotel.

　　　With the blessings of nature in Niseko, we enjoyed good meals at the hotel while we communicated with teachers in English. Although the seminar was short, we had a splendid time because we had a valuable experience which we could hardly have had in everyday life. This experience will have a great influence on English learners and motivate them to try to do something new!