ANNOUNCEMENTS
- 2017 FLAVA Conference Registration is open (Early bird registration deadline: Sept. 17)
- 2017 FLAVA Guest Speakers “Why Learn Japanese?” by Prof. Takami, University of Pennsylvania and Ms. Tabata, TOP NY (Oct. 7, 1:30-3:15)
- 2017 Japanese Language Grants Are Still Available! (The Japan Foundation, Los Angeles)
- Performing Arts Japan 2018-2019 Call for Applications (Deadline: October 31, 2017)
- Learning Resources (Gakushuu Manga)
- The America Association of Teachers' of Japanese (AATJ) 2017 Annual Fall Conference (Nov. 17 - 19, in Nashville, TN, in conjunction with the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL).
- Workshops by Tabuse-sensei and Azama-sensei at 2017 ACTFL Convention
Please visit MAATJ website: http://maha-iatj.weebly.com
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ANNOUNCEMENTS
- 2017 FLAVA Fall Conference (https://flavaweb.org/conference/flava-fall-2017-conference/)
Hotel Information: Please use the link below to reserve your hotel room at the FLAVA conference rate of $91/night (please make sure to select the correct dates):
http://group.doubletree.com/flava
- 2017 FLAVA Guest Speakers “Why Learn Japanese?” by Prof. Takami, University of Pennsylvania and Ms. Tabata, TOP NY (Oct. 7, 1:30-3:15)
Part 2 2:00-2:30 Talk by Ms. Tabata
Part 3 2:45-3:15 Panel Discussion
"Why learn Japanese?" --- Current trend in job market and advocacy for Japanese language programs "Why learn Japanese?" Given the recent threat of program cuts in the DC/VA/MD region, it has become increasingly more important for us to clearly communicate the answers to this question to students, family members, and school administrators on all levels. Typically, many students choose to learn Japanese because of their interest in Japanese pop-culture. But how will they connect their Japanese language skills to their future careers? What are the unique opportunities for those who have studied Japanese? As educators, how can we be better informed of the needs in job market? In this special session hosted by MAATJ, a panel of speakers from a recruiting firm and from higher education will share their expertise, followed by a discussion with the audience. We hope it will be an opportunity for individual instructors to reflect on their approaches to advocacy for Japanese language programs.
- 2017 Japanese Language Grants Are Still Available! (The Japan Foundation, Los Angeles)
The following Fiscal Year 2017-18 grant programs are still available to support Japanese-Language Education in the United States.
Learners Event Grant previously known as "Speech Contest Grant" (Deadline: 9/1/2017) https://www.jflalc.org/grants-jle-contest
Teaching Material Purchase Grant (Deadlines: 9/15/2017) https://www.jflalc.org/grants-jle-materials
Japanese Teaching Material Purchase Grant - jflalc.org www.jflalc.org
Fiscal Year 2017-18 Japanese Teaching material purchase Grant. Application Deadlines: March 15, 2017 and September 15, 2017 (*We now accept application form ...
Japanese-Language Education Project Grant (Deadline: 2 months prior to project start date) - Performing Arts Japan 2018-2019 Call for Applications (Deadline: October 31, 2017)
The Japan Foundation is now accepting project proposals for Performing Arts Japan (PAJ) touring and collaboration grants for the 2018 - 2019 fiscal year. Application deadline is 5:00 p.m. EST, October 31, 2017. http://www.jfny.org/arts_and_culture/paj.html
www.jfny.org
This program is designed to provide financial assistance for non-profit organizations in the US and Canada that aim to introduce Japanese performing arts to local ...
- Learning Resources (Gakushuu Manga)
Have you ever heard of Gakushuu Manga? Selected by the Nippon Foundation, these are manga titles that are not only entertaining, but also carry educational value, providing readers greater familiarity with a diverse range of subjects from agriculture (もやしもん), to social issues such as disabilities and bullying (聲の形), to the performing arts such as Japanese rakugo (昭和元禄落語心中).
These titles provide excellent content-based learning - students can not only learn Japanese but also explore an aspect of Japanese society or culture. Moreover, because of the diversity of the titles, students can find something that relates to them on a personal level, and through that strengthen their ties to another culture.
To find out more, visit Nippon Foundation's website here: http://gakushumanga.jp/
- The America Association of Teachers' of Japanese (AATJ) 2017 Annual Fall Conference will be held on November 17 - 19, in Nashville, Tennessee, in conjunction with the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL).
AATJ: https://www.aatj.org/conferences-fall
ACTFL: https://www.actfl.org/convention-expo
- Workshops by Tabuse-sensei and Azama-sensei at 2017 ACTFL Convention (Nashville, Nov. 17-19)
Workshop:
FULL-DAY WORKSHOPS Thursday, 11/16/17 9:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
W09 Advanced Placement (AP) Japanese Language and Culture For new and experienced AP teachers as well as Japanese language educators interested in learning about instructional design and assessment for equivalent college courses, this workshop will provide concrete strategies for designing and implementing an effective AP Japanese curriculum. Participants will learn how to develop activities and assessments that present language in cultural context, build students’ proficiencies in the three communicative modes and integrate authentic materials into instruction. Additionally, participants will gain a comprehensive understanding of the AP exam structure and learn strategies to prepare students for the exam. Participants will learn how to prepare for the AP Course Audit. Each participant will receive a copy of the AP Workshop Handbook. Most of this workshop will be conducted in the target language. Workshop limited to 35 participants. Presenter: Motoko Tabuse, Eastern Michigan University
HALF-DAY WORKSHOPS Thursday, 11/16/17 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
W23 Creating Formative and Summative Assessments to Guide Language Learning I taught it, but how do I know students learned it? Learning is demonstrated when learners “can do” something with and through the target language that they couldn’t do – or do as well – before the learning episode. The end of a unit or course is too late to find out if learners really can meet the expectations for language performance. Formative assessments provide those learning checks to inform the instructor about what to do next – if the learning has or has not occurred. Examine and analyze a variety of formats for checking learning with formative assessments in which learners show their ability to apply the specific vocabulary, structures, or functions learned. Learn to design instruction to connect the formative assessments so they lead up to the summative assessments for a unit or course. Participants apply these strategies to one of their units of instruction, transforming the summative assessments and then designing backwards to craft effective formative assessments throughout the unit for each mode of communication. Presenter: Yo Azama, North Salinas High School (CA)