I am wanting to do a unit of work on teenage life in Japan. Do you have any information/internet sites of interest etc I could research? I was thinking specifically of texting language and places they go out.
Kind regards,
Nicole Wells nicole.wells@det.nsw.edu.au
 
Teacher (LANGUAGES OTHER THAN ENGLISH)
Year 12 Adviser
Port Macquarie High School

Reply from Yoko:
I would recommend Click Nippon site.
 http://www.tjf.or.jp/clicknippon/ja/index.php
 
Especially  the articles and photos in 1/365 are written/taken by teenagers, so we can observe what language they use, what they are interested in, how they interact with family and friends.
I also think  My Way Your Way section is very interesting. 
(This segment is all about hot trends in Japan and the people who are part of such trends. How did they get interested? What has come of their
involvement? What exactly do they do and what’s the thinking behind it? They’ll
tell you themselves in My Way Your Way.)
The articles are written in authentic language so it may be
challenging for your students, but most of them have English, Chinese and Korean
versions, so it is worth looking.
Below is ‘About this site’

 http://www.tjf.or.jp/clicknippon/en/about.php
 
This site is aimed at people with an interest in Japan—those who find
this country intriguing or exciting, whose ears prick up at the mention of
things Japanese. It presents a variety of content related to Japan and designed
to foster ideas and reflection about ourselves, about our cultures, and about
the world at large.
 Through Click Nippon, users can encounter all kinds of other people
and gain insights into what and how they think. More than anything, it is this
kind of contact with others that stirs our hearts, stimulates our thinking, and
inspires us to action.
 We hope that visitors to Click Nippon will not only experience the
pleasure of learning and thinking about Japan but also improve their awareness
of other languages, cultures, and values different from their own, stimulating
them to learn more, explore their own potential, and exchange ideas with
others.
 This site is produced and operated by the Japan Forum, a
public-interest incorporated foundation.


  

Central Coast Language teachers’ meeting to discuss BOS Languages
Review

I'm running a network meeting for all Central Coast DEC language teachers (primary and secondary) to discuss the BOS Languages Review 2-4 pm on Wednesday 11th December at Erina high school. I would encourage all language teachers to try and attend this meeting as the approver from Hunter/Central Coast Region Office will use the numbers of attendance at this meeting to potentially support a regular Central Coast language teachers network meeting into the future.
Please search the course code: NR05727
Enrolments in this course must be made by Friday 6th December.
Afternoon tea will be provided.
Thank you,
Julie.
Julie Ruming
Languages Teacher/Aboriginal Education Coordinator Erina High
School Ernest Street Erina 2251
Telephone: 4367 7353
Fax: 4365 3086

R/Japanese Language Officer (Tuesday/Wednesday) Learning and Leadership Portfolio Secondary Education Directorate Level 3 Oxford Street
Darlinghurst 2010
Telephone: 9266 8540
Fax: 9266 8098
 julie.dent@det.nsw.edu.au


 

I'm taking LSL from 29th Jan 2014 until the 26th Feb 2014 and am looking for somebody to cover me.  My
load is Year 7, 8, 9, 10 and a combined Beg/Cont Yr 11 class.  I work 0.8 and have Fridays off.  Must be DET approved.  Please contact Vanessa Briggs at Northern Beaches Secondary College Balgowlah Boys Campus vanessa.briggs1@det.nsw.edu.au for any information.

Also, I've been asked by another teacher at school about Teaching opportunities in Japan.  It's
for a PE and a Visual Arts Teacher and they're hoping to travel together. 
Neither of them speak Japanese.  I told them about the JET program but I
just thought I'd put it out there just in case somebody out there had any good
info!

I will be teaching Beginners Japanese in Year 11 next year. Could you please ask around to see which courses people are using? Thank you.
Kind regards,
Clare Talbot  clare.talbot@det.nsw.edu.au
Hunters Hill High School

My reply:
The only textbook written specifically for that syllabus is Fudeko Reekie’s Accelerated course. It is best to support it with activities from other texts.
We have a list of resources and teaching programs on our website
thttp://www.curriculumsupport.education.nsw.gov.au/secondary/languages/languages/japanese/beginners/index.htm

The annual Japanese Matsuri will be held Saturday 14 December, 10 am - 7 pm in Tumbalong Park, Darling Harbour. For further information see http://matsurisydney.com/

Position open for Japanese-English translator at the Australian Embassy, Tokyo.
http://www.australia.or.jp/en/employment/


 

I am currently organising an excursion around Sydney CBD for a yr 9 /10 Japanese class. Would anyone have any suggestions about places to visit? 
Any ideas welcome via email.
rebecca.li30@det.nsw.edu.au
Thank you! 
With kind regards,
Rebecca 
Matraville Sports High School 

GIB GATE – Japanese Teacher and/or Japanese Assistant (small part-time position)
Term 1 2014 start
Gib Gate is the co-educational Primary School of Winifred West Schools: Gib Gate, Frensham, Sturt.
Single stream and co-educational, Gib Gate has a highly experienced team of staff and is set on a magnificent campus of 10 hectares with state-of-the-art information communication technology and outstanding specialist facilities for core and extra-curricular teaching and learning.
Gib Gate is the leading primary school in the Southern Highlands and has a 22-year association and student exchange programme with Hokuriku Gakuin School, Kanazawa. 
Students from Preschool to Year 6 learn Japanese and Stage 3 students take part in the exchange
programme. In 2014, Gib Gate will celebrate its 60th Birthday including the School’s connection with Japan. 
Applicants should be keen to work within a progressive learning environment where latest research guides practice and the wider community of the school is highly valued.

Criteria for consideration:
• Proven ability to differentiate Japanese Language programmes to suit the needs of all learners
• Personal commitment to on-going professional learning
• Flexibility and keenness to work as part of a professional team
• Willingness to contribute to the full life of the School
 See: www.gibgate.nsw.edu.au
Applications [to the Head of Frensham] must include a statement of educational philosophy, curriculum vitae, university transcripts and the contact details of three referees. Please send to:
Julie A Gillick
Head of Frensham
Head of Winifred West Schools
Frensham* PO Box 34 Mittagong NSW 2575
Phone: 02 4860 2000 Fax: 02 4860 2101
Email: frensham@frensham.nsw.edu.au
Commencement: Term 1, 2014
Interviews commence: Wednesday
27 November 2013


 

Karabar Distance Education Centre is accepting enrolments for Japanese, Chinese, French, German, Indonesian, Latin, and Italian.  Materials are online and students are also sent a hard copy. Students are contacted weekly by phone or a departmental skype equivalent. In the last 3 years we have offered 2
workshops in collaboration with ANU on campus for most languages. 
Enrolments are on a first come first served basis.  Enquiries please phone
62105229.
Thank you,
 Claire Lane