Our Initiatives
CEI aims to promote understanding between Japan and the US, with a focus on local and underserved communities of Japan and the greater area of Boston.
2023 CEI Spark Exchange Program
Provide exchange opportunities
Beginning in 2018, our flagship program, CEI Spark®, offers insight into Japan's rich culture through a short-term summer exchange program. We provide opportunities for participants to discover their new potential and achieve their dreams.
The 2024 Spark Exchange Program application is now open.
2023 Prorgam
The 2023 CEI Spark program features two groups. One group hosted a 2-week English Immersion After-School Program from July 31st to August 10th in Kani city (left). The other group hosted a 3-day Summer English Active Presentation Camp from August 4th to August 6th in the Nagoya area for 30 high school students (right).
Location: Nagoya, Kani, Japan
Previous years
2022 Program participants led after-school sessions at nine schools with more than 1,000 students. They also visited local people’s homes to enjoy BBQ including Nagashi Soumen and fireworks,
Location: Kani City, Japan
2019 Participants taught in-person English classes (7 days) at five schools. They also trained three high school English speech contenders.
Host city: Mino City, Japan
2018 Program offered in-person English conversation classes to students. Participants stayed at a local home for one week to live with a typical Japanese family.
Host city: Mino City, Japan
Develop communication skills
CEI offers intensive Japanese language courses taught at our local partner schools in Japan. We also provide Japanese students and local communities with conversation-oriented English sessions led by native English speakers.
FEATURED ACTIVITIES
Conversational-focused classes with native speakers
CEIはアメリカ人講師によるオンライン英会話教室を無料でお子さんに提供いたします。
8 participants from the 2019 CEI Spark Program studied Japanese at the YAMASA Institute in Okazaki, Japan.
CEI offered an in-person English café to young children through adults in Japan.
During the COVID pandemic period, we offered free online Japanese language classes taught by Japanese native teachers.
Increase culture awareness
Our range of activities, including short-term programs, workshops, and special classes, are designed to enhance cultural awareness and provide valuable insights into Japan's rich culture.
FEATURED ACTIVITIES
Let’s Talk About Anime: In collaboration with Showa Boston Japanese Language Program and Anime Boston, we offered free three-day Japanese language classes focusing on anime. It included guest speakers that specialized in anime, manga, and gaming.
2019 CEI Spark Program participants experienced Zazen and visited Mino Washi making and related museums in Mino City, Japan.
Our workshops are designed to help people understand how languages are used in different cultural contexts, providing valuable insights into the nuances of communication across cultures.