Alliance to Offer Summer Institute in 2006 for K-12 Teachers

The Alliance of Associations of Teachers of Japanese (AATJ) and the Japan Foundation Japanese-Language Institute, Urawa, announce joint sponsorship of a four-week Language, Culture, and Technology Institute in Japan during Summer 2006.

Up to twenty non-native-speaking teachers of Japanese in US K-12 schools will receive intermediate and advanced-level Japanese language instruction in an immersion environment; visit schools, museums, and other cultural sites; collect authentic materials for classroom use; receive training in the use of new media technologies; and collaborate in creating media-based materials (films, videos, computer programs) for use in their classrooms and for dissemination to colleagues across the US at conferences, workshops, and other venues.

The institute will take place at the Japan Foundation Japanese-Language Institute in Urawa, Japan (tentative dates, June 25–July 22, 2006). Project Director for the technology training section of the institute will be Yasu-Hiko Tohsaku of the University of California, San Diego. Classroom materials created by participants in a previous summer institute, held during the summer of 2004, can be viewed online at www.aatj.org/classroom/SummerInstitute2004/index.html.

Completion of this institute will entitle participating teachers to receive continuing-education credits (6.5 quarter units or 4.33 semester units) from the University of California at Los Angeles. The cost of these credits (estimated at $500) will be borne by participants; most other costs of the program will be covered by the Japan Foundation and by the Alliance. The Alliance hopes to be able to cover all expenses; however, depending on the availability of funding, participants may be asked to pay a portion of their airfare to Japan.

An application form for participation in the Institute is enclosed with this issue of the newsletter. It should be completed by potential applicants in collaboration with their schools.

The deadline for receipt of the applications is January 13, 2006. Please let K-12 teachers in your area know about this opportunity for study and training in Japan next summer!

Classroom Materials from AATJ Summer Institute Available Online

Classroom units and materials created by nine teachers who attended the Summer 2004 Language, Culture and Technology Institute in Japan, sponsored by the Alliance and the Japan Foundation, are now available online for use by any teacher. The materials range from films to PowerPoint presentations, and the themes range from ecology and garbage collection in Japan to pets, shrines, and popular culture. Also included is a Japanese version of "Family Feud." To view and download these materials, please visit www.aatj.org/classroom/SummerInstitute2004/index.html.

The following projects are offered via the website:

• Eco Life (PowerPoint and worksheets) by Patrick Bencke (Menomonie, Wisconsin).
• Places in Japan: 神社 (Shrine) and Wendy’s (Powerpoint with video clips and worksheet) by Anita Bieker (Redmond, Washington).
• Daily Life: Transportation (PowerPoint with video clips and worksheets) by Jaci Collins (Manitowoc, Wisconsin).
• Young People’s Popular Culture (PowerPoint and worksheets) by Lucinia Eubanks (Detroit, Michigan).
• Traveling in Tokyo (PowerPoint and worksheets) and Kappa (TPR Storytelling) (PowerPoint and worksheets) by Sandy Garcia (Forest Grove, Oregon).
• Watashi no Machi: Transportation and Buildings (DVD video) by Valerie Minakawa (Franklin Park, New Jersey); available by mail upon request as the file is too large to easily download.
• Cultural Understanding/Misunderstanding) (PowerPoint and worksheets) by Lucy Miyagawa (Davis, California).
• Rice in Japan (PowerPoint and worksheets) and Garbage and Recycling (PowerPoint and worksheets) by Jennifer Pedersen (Omaha, Nebraska).
• Pets (PowerPoint with video clips and worksheet) by Joanne Shaver (Williamsburg, Virginia).
• A Day in the Life: Verb Review (PowerPoint with worksheet) by Jessica Summers (Sierra Modre, California).