SIETAR-Kansai - Past Monthly Programs

February 2005

Diversity of Brazilian Culture

Date:
February 20, 2005 Sunday 14:00-16:00

Presenter:
Ms. Nobue Maeda

Place:
Nishinomiya-shi Daigaku Koryu Center
(ACTA Nishinomiya higashikan, 6F, Room1)
2 min. from the north exit of Hankyu Nishinomiya Kitaguchi St.

TEL. (0798) 69-3155

Fee:
Members and Students 500 Yen, Non-members 1,000 Yen

Language:
Japanese

Description of the Program:
Brazilians coming to work in Japan have been increasing since 1990. Around the neighborhoods they live, there are often negative images of Brazilians not following garbage rules and playing music loudly. Many Japanese are not interested in them out of fear and ignorance. I interviewed some Brazilians in Aichi to get to know their cultural differences and to educate Japanese about their good points. In addition, I decided to do fieldwork in Brazil . I chose four different places that were nothing like Japan . Brazilians care most about their families and friends. They like interaction, and so they often have parties. Soccer games and Carnival are their core entertainment, and so being on time is not important. People are centered on their private lives instead of work. Each area of Brazil has diverse people and cultures. People have few racial prejudices, because many people are already of mixed race. I would like to introduce my research on attractive Brazil and Brazilians.

Profile of the Presenter:
After graduating from Arizona State University 's graduate school, I taught ESL to mainly Mexicans and Japanese to Americans. After coming back to Japan , I taught at Edmonds Community College 's Japan campus. As a full-time lecturer, I have taught English and intercultural education. I also taught a variety of English classes at Nagoya Gakuin University , and recently, at Daidokogyo University 's graduate school for foreign cultural studies. I am also now writing a book about my many years of research on Brazil.

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