The theme of the 6th Disciplinary Linkage Project Seminar was “Reconsideration of research methodologies in language development,” focusing on the issue of international disparities in the area of language development. The public seminar discussed empirical research approaches concerning children’s language acquisition and the issue of disparities.
First, Prof. Uchida of Ochanomizu University provided a report on empirical research methods in language acquisition through a comparison of Japanese and Chinese research, by using clinical interviews, teaching experiment paradigm and puppet paradigm. She was able to deepen understanding of research methodologies. Next, Dr. Lee gave a presentation on approaches to studying second language acquisition based on examples of research in Japanese-Chinese bilingualism in both countries. She presented the current conditions and issues concerning the disparity in nurturing and educating children from international marriage families in multilingual and multicultural Taiwanese society. 
The speakers presented a wide range of content, from basic science to applications. The conference drew many participants from both inside and outside the university, who held active discussions, making this conference a successful event. (16. Jun. 2010 ）
The Japan Education Longitudinal Study (JELS) in Educational/Social Inequality Research Group co-hosted a seminar on career education. Wang reported her findings from surveys conducted at 16 university career centers, on placement, career guidance and college graduate’s transition to labor market in China. Terasaki first presented the career guidance policies in Japan and China. Then she discussed the efforts and issues of high schools and colleges in Japan. Commentator Kosugi paid strong attention to Chinese labor market, and gave her opinions on placement and contents of education at high schools and colleges in Japan.(24. Feb. 2010) 
The theme of the 2nd JELS seminar is “Students’ Career Development: Culture, Academic Achievements, and Future Paths”. Using the data from the Japan Education Longitudinal Study, presenters examined the effects of students’ culture, teachers, family background, and academic achievements on the students’ future career path.
The three reports are as follows:(1)Tracking and Students’ Culture; (2)Analysis of High School Students’ Future Path Selection；(3) Educational Expectation and Academic Achievements.(22. Jan. 2010)
On 13 January 2010 we held an open seminar on poverty of children in Japanese society as the fifth seminar of the Disciplinary Linkage Project. The speaker, Aya Abe, Senior Researcher at the National Institute of Population and Social Security Research, examined the definition of children’s poverty and referred to various data reflecting the situations surrounding poor children. In comparison with other OECD countries, the functional insufficiency of Japanese social policies was discussed.
On 10 January 2010, the Global COE Program held an open seminar on Children's Quality of Life (QOL) as the fourth seminar of the Disciplinary Linkage Project. There were eight presentations about various topics related Japanese children's quality of life. After presentation, audience engaged in a very active and meaningful discussion.
The Japan Education Longitudinal Study (JELS) in Educational/Social Inequality Research Group co-hosted an open seminar on international and national achievement surveys with the CSD program in Ochanomizu University. There were three lectures: Achievement gap in Japanese high school students from the analyses of PISA data; Student achievement surveys in China; National Academic Achievement Survey in Japan and JELS. Each presentation reviewed existing student achievement surveys of OECD, China, and Japan in order to reflect on how to improve future JELS.（8. Jan. 2010) 
The Global COE Program of Ochanomizu University will hold an international symposium on early childhood education and development in Central and West Africa. Educational administrators and inspectors of central or local government, and professors of teachers college from five Francophone Central and West African countries – Cameroon, Senegal, Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso – will present the future action plans of early childhood development and education of their countries.
We cordially invite you to participate in this seminar.
Date:
Tuesday, October 20th, 10：00～16：30
Location:
Ochanomizu University,
Main Building Room 135, (Conference Room)
Fee: Free
Registration: Not necessary (Please come to the venue directly)
Presenters:
・Morning Session: Niger, Senegal
・Afternoon Session: Mali, Burkina Faso, Cameroon
Translation: French-Japanese Simultaneous Interpretation will be provided
Sponsor:
Ochanomizu University Global COE Program International Inequality Research Group/ Center for Women’s Education and Development Center
Contact:
Ochanomizu University Global COE Program Secretariat
TEL&FAX: 03-5978-5247
EVENT REPORT
Educational administrators and inspectors of central or local government, and professors of teachers college from five Francophone Central and West African countries – Cameroon, Senegal, Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso – presented their future action plans for improvement of early childhood development and education in their countries. The action plan was based on what they had learned in the three-week JICA training, and Japanese participants provided helpful suggestions to the action plans.
Children create their world and create maps through their day-to-day play activities and lifestyles, and learn many things through participation in life events. What does “Play” mean to children? At this year’s symposium, we will hear presentations from specialists from Japan and Korea in the fields of evolutionary psychology, cultural anthropology, and early childhood education, and conduct in-depth investigations into the process in which children learn through play.
Date: October 17, 2009 (Saturday)
Venue: Ochanomizu University Common Lecture Building #2, classroom 201
Symposium 1:00 - 5:00 p.m.
Reception 5:15 p.m.–
Program:
1:00-1:10 Opening＆Greeting
UCHIDA, Nobuko (Professor, Ochanomizu University)
1:10-2:10 Keynote Speech
MATSUZAWA, Tetsuro (Professor, Director of Primate Research Institute, Kyoto University)
"Education by master-apprenticeship in chimpanzees"
2:10-3:10 Panels
LEE, Ki Sook (Professor, Ewha Womans University, KOREA)
" Children’s play: concepts, socio-cultural context and reflecting on traditional play"
3:10-3:40
HARA, Hiroko (Visiting Professor, Josai International University: Professor Emeritus, Ochanomizu University)
" Children's Lives among the K'a Sho-go-T'ine ( 'the Hare Indians') in the Nprthwest Canada in the early 1960s-- Coping with 'Gap-Widening' , 'Multi-cultural Diversity, ' and/or with ' Human Universality as homosapiens'? "
3:40-3:55 Break
3:55-4:15 Comment
SAKAKIHARA, Yoichi (Professor , Ochanomizu University)
4:15-4:35 Comment
SUGAWARA, Masumi (Professor, Ochanomizu University)
4:35-4:50
Discussions
4:50-5:00 Closing Remarks
MIMIZUKA, Hiroaki (Professor, Ochanomizu University: GCOE Program Leader)
5:15-
Reception (Science Bldg3, lounge)
Cocktail/tea/coffee and some snacks
Chair: UCHIDA, Nobuko (Professor, Ochanomizu University)
Languages: Japanese/Korean ( Simultaneous translation / whispering)
Admission Free
Sponsored by: Ochanomizu University Global COE Program
Contacts:
Ochanomizu University Global COE Office
TEL&FAX: 03-5978-5247
EVENT REPORT
What does “Play” mean to children? At this year’s symposium, we had presentations from specialists from Japan and Korea in the fields of evolutionary psychology, early childhood education, and cultural anthropology. Professor Matsuzawa showed how the study of chimpanzees may give unique insights into the origins of human cognition, education and mother-infant relationship, through highlighting the chimpanzees’ way of “education by master-apprenticeship.” Professor Lee showed various data to illustrate the over-heated early education phenomenon in Korea and presented an initiative which promotes play through traditional play. Professor Hara spoke about the adult-child relationship among the Hare Indians in Northwest Canada and demonstrated how there is no concept of “teaching” among the culture.
The two discussants opened up a heated discussion on the process in which children learn through play, by questioning whether chimpanzees ever initiate their own play, the definition of play for humans, and the long-term consequence of play.
The Global COE Program of Ochanomizu University will hold an international symposium on early childhood education and development in Central and West Africa. Educational administrators and inspectors of central or local government, and professors of teachers college from five Francophone Central and West African countries – Cameroon, Senegal, Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso – will present their education and culture, focusing on the early childhood development and education system in their countries.
We cordially invite you to participate in this seminar.
Date:
Friday, October 2nd, 10：00～16：30
Location:
Ochanomizu University, Building for Student Affairs,
Conference Room 5
Fee: Free
Registration: Not necessary (Please come to the venue directly)
Presenters:
・Morning Session: Burkina Faso, Cameroon
・Afternoon Session: Mali, Niger, Senegal
Translation: French-Japanese Simultaneous Interpretation will be provided
Sponsor:
Ochanomizu University Global COE Program International Inequality Research Group/ Center for Women’s Education and Development Center
Contact:
Ochanomizu University Global COE Program Secretariat
TEL&FAX: 03-5978-5247
EVENT REPORT
The Global COE Program of Ochanomizu University held an international symposium on early childhood care and development in Central and West Africa. Educational administrators and inspectors of central or local government, and professors of teachers college from five Francophone Central and West African countries – Cameroon, Senegal, Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso – presented their situation on inequalities and disparities in early child care and development. 