PAO Lima Nucelli and Superintendent Hanmine with the signed agreement.

By Kanamori Ayaka

The Okinawa Prefectural Board of Education and the U.S. Consulate-General Naha held a signing ceremony for the English Language Fellow (ELF) program on Aug. 8. Board Superintendent Hanmine Mitsuru and Public Affairs Officer (PAO) Nicole Lima Nucelli attended the event.

Under the ELF program, an English-language education specialist will be sent to the prefectural board of education for 10 months to provide advice on English-language curricula and to support English-language teachers. The specialist will arrive on Aug. 22 and visit schools and advise English-language teachers.

Superintendent Hanmine expressed his hopes for the program, saying, “This program is in line with the prefecture’s education policy to foster in students an international mindset. It is also meaningful from the perspective of developing human resources who will lead the advancement of the prefecture in the future.” PAO Lima Nucelli expressed enthusiasm about the program, commenting, “Working with teachers in the prefecture will enhance English-language learning among the younger generation. It will be a starting point for strengthening cooperation in education and English-language learning.”