​The Japanese Government MEXT Scholarship 2021 for the "Teacher Training Category" is now open. Applications close on Thursday 18 February 2021.
 
Details and application forms are available on the Embassy of Japan in Canberra website. Please address any enquiries to the Embassy of Japan in Canberra via email or phone.   

Menai High School in southern Sydney is seeking a Japanese teacher for 2021, with the possibility of extension.

The position includes Stages 4-6, including the mandatory 100 hours course and Stage 6 Beginners and Continuers.
 
Please contact Leonie Ferraro (Head Teacher, Administration) for more information on 0408 880 854 or 02 9543 7000.

Mama Dojo is offering interactive incursions in 2021 for schools in NSW.

​Games Boy JP investigates aspects of Japanese culture through interactive theatre, with level appropriate Japanese language featured throughout. There is an optional workshop available after the performance in which students learn additional games and related vocabulary. There is currently availability in Term 1.
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Show information can be found online. To make a booking or find out further information please email Mama Dojo.

We have just published a Stage 5 Japanese scope and sequence on our website, which builds on the Stage 4 scope and sequence. Scope and sequence documents are now available for Stage 5 across 10 languages, so take the time to explore and gather ideas.

The Japanese Film Festival school screenings have been cancelled this year due to disruptions caused by COVID.
In their place, JFF Plus, a free online screening program will take place online between 4-13 December in lieu of the main festival.  
Among the line-up is a number of films suitable for students. Films will be released as per the schedule and will be available to be viewed within 24 hours of registering to watch the film. Please follow the instructions carefully for access.
Recommended student films:

• The Great Passage
• Sumikkogurashi: Good to be in the corner
• Lady Maiko
• Project Dreams – How to Build Mazinger Z’s Hangar

The Japan Foundation, Sydney has produced a classroom resource 'Activities Using Movies' with general ideas on using films as an educational tool.
For further information please visit the Japan Foundation website.

JTAN Beginners and Continuers Preliminary and Trial exam writing workshop I – 6 December 2020 at MLC School Burwood.
Would you like to contribute to writing the JTAN 2021 Preliminary and Trial exam papers for Beginners and Continuers?
Members will be allocated a section and/or question from the mapping grid (provided) to develop in small groups and benefit from the opportunity to participate in peer discussion and review of what makes a suitable exam-style question for end of course examinations.
Workshop details can be found at the JTAN 2021 exam workshop website.
 
Steps to success I – Japanese Continuers (early career teachers) – 12 December 2020 on Zoom
This workshop aims to equip early career (up to 5 years experience) and preservice teachers with some of the essential knowledge and skills required to teach the Stage 6 Continuers course. Experienced teachers will lead sessions covering administration requirements, assessment (task ideas, marking), speaking skill development and how to prepare students for HSC-style oral examinations.
Note: Although this workshop primarily focuses on the Continuers course, teachers new to teaching Beginners may also find it useful.
This workshop will be held via Zoom – the link and course materials (digital) will be sent to participants prior to the workshop.
This workshop is dependent on participant numbers – if there are insufficient applicants then it will be rescheduled for a later date.
​For further information please visit the JTAN events website.

The Languages and Culture team is offering an online planning day for teachers from NSW public schools to facilitate programming for the Stage 6 Japanese Beginners course. The day will offer the opportunity to network/collaborate/program with experienced teachers of the course, who will also share their sample programming ideas and approaches.

The date for the planning day is Friday 11 December 2020.

If you would like to attend, please complete the short application survey by Monday 30 November 2020.

Priority will be given to teachers who are teaching the course for the first time. Places are limited. 

Please email Coreena Allen if you need further information.

The Tanken Centre is offering online group speaking sessions for new Year 12 students this term and in early Term 1 2021.

We have the following dates available: 
Term 4 2020
20, 25, 26 November
10, 11, 14 December
Term 1 2021
2, 3, 4, 8, 10, 11 February

Each session runs for 40 minutes, through Zoom.

Students will be divided into 3 breakout rooms and the Tanken Centre staff and class teacher will spend 10 minutes with a set of questions in each room. Staff will rotate through the rooms to ensure students have the opportunity to practise with 3 different speakers.

After the speaking rotations are complete, the groups will come back together in the main room and students will be given feedback.

​These sessions are free of charge. At this stage, sessions are only available to NSW public schools.
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If you are interested in booking a session for your students, please email the Tanken Centre with the following details:
- the course (Beginners or Continuers)
- preferred dates and times (please provide at least 2 options)
- name list of attending students.
 
Bookings will be made on a first-come, first-served basis. As there is a high chance that you will not be able to get your first preference, please send several preferred dates with times. Please note that your session is not confirmed until you receive a confirmation email.

The Japan Foundation is offering an intensive seminar for teachers in Sydney, from 11-14 January 2021. The seminar enables teachers to develop language teaching strategies and skills which they can apply in their own classrooms. Specific focuses include Australian Curriculum and ICT-based learning. Participants will be immersed in a Japanese language environment suited to their level and will have ample opportunity for networking.

​The cost of the seminar is free. The Languages and Culture team is offering partial scholarships of $300 for travel and/or accommodation expenses for teachers who live outside the Sydney metropolitan area. Applicants must be a temporary or permanent teacher in a NSW public central or secondary school with a teaching load of at least 50% Japanese.

To apply for the partial scholarship, please complete the expression of interest form, and email it to Evia Kyriacou by 5pm on 11 November 2020, with the subject line “Japanese scholarship”. Successful applicants will be notified in Week 6.

Participants will need to apply directly to the Japan Foundation to attend the seminar https://jpf.org.au/language/for-teachers/professional-development/intensive-seminar/.

For further enquiries about the seminar and enrolment information, please contact the Japanese Language Department of the Japan Foundation on 02 8239 0055.