Video by Adam Ratliff, Marketing and Creative Services.
PULLMAN, Wash. – For the first time, Washington State University will offer English classes to high school students in Okinawa, Japan live via the Internet. The program, an extension of WSU’s Intensive American Language Center (IALC), will help bridge the language gap that often prevents Japanese students from attending top-tier universities in the United States.
 WSU President Floyd shows signed memorandum of
understanding to the online audience in Japan.
(Photo by Shelly Hanks, WSU Photo Services)
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On Thursday, WSU President Elson S. Floyd signed an official memorandum of understanding with officials from the Ryukyu America Historical Society and the city of Kitanakagusuku. The process used the same technology that will allow students to learn language skills in real time.
“We have the capability and the expertise to create a program of tremendous benefit to each other,” said Floyd. “This will open the door to a collaborative series of projects, programs and events between our two institutions.”
For the past 12 years, Japanese students have traveled to St. John University in Minnesota for an educational opportunity in the U.S. Half of these students now will travel to WSU.
“We are hoping this program might open the door for some of Okinawa’s top students to seek out undergraduate and graduate education at WSU,” said Pam Duran with the WSU IALC.