The culture classes were still probably the most satisfying.
Which events or activities did you find the most satisfying and why?
Though I was unable to continue with them this semester, the culture classes were still probably the most satisfying. They helped to get you out into Japan, as a facet beyond just that which you study in the classroom or in your room at home.
What were the most productive and interesting aspects of the program for you? The least interesting and productive?
I feel like the readings were probably the most interesting and productive aspects of the program, at least in terms of classwork. It makes use of the knowledge that you already have so you keep practicing it, and puts in into a real context. For me specifically, I didn't require as much of the listening practice, but I also have a number of friends for whom that was what was most necessary, so it can depend a lot on what kind of practice with the language you've had externally.
What activities or materials did you find most helpful (e.g., pair work, drill practice, tests, small group sessions, textbooks, games)?
For level 4 specifically, there was a lot of grammer that might not be used much in conversation, but that would be found more often in things like reports, so the project at the end of level 4 was a good way to use that kind of grammer in a natural setting.
Any suggestions for improving class activities or materials?
I feel like Kanji flashcards following the textbook would be of great benefit to the American students. Many of my friends had begun to create such decks on their own using smartphone applications, but that ends up being too time-consuming to make so many every day. If the time could be spared to compile such a deck that could be distributed to studends, that could streamline the studying for Kanji at least, which seems to be a chokepoint for many of my friends who have started studying Japanese through KCP.
Any comments or tips for prospective/new KCP students?
The more you can familiarize yourself with Kanji, the smoother things will be as you progress. Especially if you can look at the radicals that make them up, as recognizing them helps a lot in remembering the meaning and can even dictate the pronounciation of a given character.
