Niimi City has ALTs(assistant language teachers) to support teaching of English language in junior (and senior) high schools, and foreign language activities in elementary schools and kindergartens.
Terry Patten is the first ALT dispatched to Niimi through Sidney-Niimi Sister Cities Exchanges.
On August 29, we had a welcome party for him at Hakubi Japanese Restaurant.
Directors of Niimi International Exchange Association(NIEA), officials of Niimi City Office and members of Niimi Board of Education attended the party.
I was there as Vice Chairman of General Affairs Committee of NIEA.
We enjoyed meeting and getting to know Terry at the occasion.
I was acting one of the interpreters at the party, but I was able to talk with him personally too.
We had our pictures taken.
At the party we welcomed Terry san with local foods in Niimi.
Sturgeon and caviar are relatively new products in Niimi.
caviar
sturgeon sashimi
sturgeon tempura
We enjoyed sweet fish
ayu and Chiya beef too.
We hope that Terry's stay in Niimi will be a very fruitful one, and that he will be able to influence many students positively in Niimi.
