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1. What prompted you decide to participate in the "JSPS Science Dialogue" program?
I decided to participate in the "JSPS Science Dialogue" program because I like to transmit knowledge to students. I wanted to see what life was like in a Japanese high school. I also wanted to give back to JSPS for the wonderful opportunity they have given me to do my research in Japan.
2. To what did you give greatest attention in preparing and giving the lecture?
I gave the greatest attention to using simpler English words so that the students would understand most of what I was saying, and I used many figures and cartoons (90 % of the Presentation).
3. Did you find it difficult to give a lecture in English to Japanese students? Could you give some advice to future lecturers on how to facilitate communication with Japanese students?
I did not find it hard to give a lecture in English. I explained the first part of my presentation (this part concerned the scientific part) in English and almost after each slide my translator (a Masters student from my lab) helped with the translations.
The second part of my presentation was about my home country (Algeria). I explained in Japanese as I can speak basic Japanese. I used a large number of figures, pictures, and cartoons in or0der to communicate ideas more easily. I added a demonstration to the lecture by using computer software so that the students could understand more about my research (Application of Gravimetry in Earth Sciences). My advices for the future lecturers are: to speak English slowly and clearly, to use many figures and cartoons in the presentation, to add some Japanese key-words in the slides.
4. Could you give your impression with regard to participating in this program?
I had a nice time. It was also nice to visit a different place in Japan and to see a Japanese High School. The students and the teachers were very friendly and kind. I would do it over again in a heartbeat.
5. Was it meaningful in terms of your fellowship activities?
I believe it was a nice opportunity to share my research with the High School Students and to stimulate the students' interests in Earth Sciences and Engineering. I think that it is important for a scientist to participate in such educational program more than just their research interest. I would be very happy to try it again if given the chance.
6. In what ways do you think the students benefited from the program?
First, they had the chance to hear about a specific subject by a foreign researcher in English. And, also to know a little more about a foreign country (culture, language, history, geography, population and races). This is a good experience in a word of globalization.
7. Could you give some overall advice or comments to future participants in the program?
Use demonstrations or experiments, start the presentation with definitions so the students will be able to understand the whole lecture. Use many figures, cartoons, and pictures with Japanese key-words in order to summarize the most important idea about your research. Speak English slowly and don't use difficult words. Ask your host researcher or your colleague to translate the most important idea to Japanese after each slide, this act will keep the students very attentive to your lecture.
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