TARLAC State University is hosting 13 Japanese students from Osaka University of Economics for their two-week academic and cultural interchange through the English Language Proficiency Program.

Through its Office of International Affairs and Linkages’ ELPP, TSU will serve as the first partner university of OUE in the country and the sole multi-lingual university chosen by the institution in providing English language education to their students.

“We are very fortunate that OUE chose TSU. We hope that we will be able to see you in many more activities sponsored by the OIAL,” said Executive Assistant to the president Dr. Brigido Corpuz.

Meanwhile, OUE Department of Economics Associate Professor Dr. Azusa Ono highlighted the significance of the partnership between the two institutions.

“I very much appreciate this new friendship that has started between TSU and OUE as I believe this will offer a wider possibility of collaboration between our countries,” Ono said.

“TSU’s ELPP is just the beginning of our long-term friendship and collaboration, and I hope that we can welcome TSU students and faculty at our campus in Osaka in the near future,” she added.

TSU said the Japanese delegates arrived last February 25 and started attending their classes which will last until the culminating activity on March 8.

The students were also grouped into beginner, intermediate, and advanced categories based on their results from the International English Language Testing System and Oral Level Testing administered by OIAL.

Nine ELPP teachers from College of Arts and Social Sciences will lead three-hour one-on-one sessions and four-hour group sessions covering speaking, writing, reading, and listening activities tailored for Japanese students, according to TSU.

Meanwhile, Ryosei Oishi and Janet Oishi of O-Two International Corp. will guide OUE students on tours to explore various cities and immerse themselves in Filipino culture during their stay.