By Lexi MooreOn Feb. 5 the Hills-Beaver Creek and Luverne school districts welcomed Japanese English teacher Naoko Kamimura to their classrooms.Kamimura came to Minnesota through the American Cultural Exchange Service because of a desire to observe how American elementary children learn English. "I wanted to see how American children learn at school, especially English, and how it’s different from the Japanese educational system," Kamimura said.In Japan Kamimura taught English at a private language school for elementary children in the small southern town of Miyazaki.She is observing and helping in classrooms at H-BC and Luverne. In addition she is teaching students about Japan."I show them how to write their names in Japanese, do origami, and how to use chopsticks."Kamimura has noticed several differences between the education system in America and that in her native Japan. She feels that classes are less structured in America."Japanese elementary schools are more like high schools here," Kamimura said. "For example, in Japan we have to follow the bells, and we have short breaks between classes."Another difference is that American students participate on a more regular basis during classroom activities.The exchange program places foreign teachers in American households to encourage the teachers to learn more about American culture outside of the classroom. Kamimura lives with host family Jason and Naomi Graves in Steen.Although Steen is smaller than her community in Japan, Kamimura said she has enjoyed the peaceful and quiet aspects of the small town.Kamimura travels back to Japan on April 1 where she plans to start giving private English lessons.