Student Services
Since 1996, CASLS and the Portland Shokokai (Japanese Chamber of Commerce) have exposed high school students from Japanese classes in the Portland and Salem areas to local Japanese language communities. Both Hannichi Homestay and Living Language Experience bridge class to reality by allowing students to interact with Japanese families and/or professionals.

Living Language Experience
This school-to-work program gives Japanese students an opportunity to use their language skills in a professional environment. Students spend approximately three hours with professionals on the job in Portland-area Japanese businesses. Students observe how to use Japanese in a professional setting and, at the same time, explore a career. Students who participate in this program demonstrate proficiency at the Novice-High level (Benchmark IV). This program takes place from late April through mid May.

Hannichi Homestay
Aimed at students with lower levels of language skill, this program matches Oregon high school students with Japanese families of Shokokai members. Students and Japanese families spend three to four hours together doing various activities such as cooking Japanese food, playing traditional Japanese games, learning calligraphy, folding origami, or watching Japanese video and TV. About 20 Japanese families and a group of high school Japanese language students participated in this program in 2005. Although there is no particular language proficiency requirement, students must have a desire to communicate in Japanese.