International Children's Bunko Assocation UK for bilingual & bicultural young Japanese children

IC Bunko, UK: Providing out-of–school, informal Japanese experiences from which bilingual and bicultural young Japanese children can absorb Japanese language and culture naturally.

In 1977 Dan Dan Bunko, the first International Children’s Bunko (voluntary mini-picturebook Library) opened in Tokyo for returning Japanese bilingual and bicultural children(kikokushijo) to nurture their second language, English, after residence with their families in English speaking countries. Apart from picturebook borrowing and story telling, children shared focused activities with English speaking Bunko staff.

Today ICBunko-UK Branch, manages 37 Japanese language Bunko through-out UK for Double Japanese children mostly from mixed marriages. Through experiences shared with Japanese Bunko staff, young Double Children, from 2 to 8 years old, unconsciously absorb language and culture. Planned activities gradually increase children’s spoken ability and cultural awareness preparing them for transition to formal instruction in Japanese Elementary School.

Opal Dunn
Founder ICBA (UK)

http://www.kodomobunko.org.uk

info@kodomobunko.org.uk