Members of JTAN, please note that the exam files will be made available from July, but orders must be made prior to the end of June to allow time for administrative checks to be completed. Note that the purchase and use of JTAN Exams is subject to specific terms and conditions in addition to our normal terms and conditions.

Year 11 Beginners $115
Year 11 Continuers $115
HSC Trial Beginners $115
HSC Trial Continuers $115
HSC Trial Extension $70

Please note in 2022 the Exam Declaration will be completed digitally. Please READ CAREFULLY prior to purchasing the exams, as you will be bound by the terms and conditions. 

Teacher and student registrations NOW OPEN!
JTAN is organising an online version of their speaking days in 2022. 
All students attending this event should register directly with JTAN or be registered by you as the teacher.

All registrations can be found on the JTAN website:

• 2022 Japanese Continuers Online Speaking Day (Teacher Registration)
• 2022 Japanese Beginners Online Speaking Day (Teacher Registration)
• 2022 Student Registration ONLY – Japanese Beginners Speaking Day
• 2022 Student Registration ONLY – Japanese Continuers Speaking Day

Teachers must register as an examiner in order for students to access this event.
Examining teachers will need to join an online training session approximately one week prior to the event. In this training session, teachers will be shown how Zoom will be used to organise and run the event, how to use Zoom for their examining role, how to provide feedback to students, and to answer any questions they may have about the event.
This event has a limited number of tickets available and JTAN can not guarantee that a second speaking day will be held. 
Please email any questions or enquires to JTAN with subject line ‘Online speaking day’. 
Registration closes on 8 June (Beginners) and 25 May (Continuers).
​

Exam writing workshop II – writers needed, Saturday 5 March 2022 (9:00 am - 2:00 pm)

The production of JTAN examinations requires teacher support. This is a great opportunity to develop your skills and to collaborate.

Each year, JTAN provides Preliminary yearly and HSC trial examination papers, developed collaboratively by members. We are once again calling for volunteers to help create both Beginners and Continuers papers. The workshop provides teachers the opportunity to engage in formal assessment writing practice.

Participants may be allocated according to their preference for Beginners or Continuers, and will work in small groups to develop the listening, reading and writing items for HSC-style examination questions. For members who attended the first writing workshop last year, this workshop will hone your skills and develop your writing ability.

Participants will be rewarded with an honorarium (monetary payment) for their time and contribution. Participants may also be invited to the third workshop (tentatively to be held on Sunday 27 March) in order to refine question items.
​
Participation in this workshop can contribute to 4 hours of NESA Elective PD.

This is a face-to-face workshop at The Japan Foundation Sydney and we look forward to seeing everyone in person for networking and collaboration. 

If you cannot make it on the day but would like to contribute, please email enquire@jtan.org.au with subject line ‘Exam Writing Workshop II’ to see if there is another way or alternative date where you can assist. 

Primary TeachMeet, Saturday 12 March 2022 (10:00 am - 12:00 pm)
All primary teachers are welcome to attend the Term 1 TeachMeet session to share ideas, experiences, as well as network. Bring along a lesson, an idea, or a project from your teaching to share in a supportive environment with other primary school teachers.

This event is free for JTAN members and $10 for non-members.

Please email any questions or enquires to enquire@jtan.org.au with subject line ‘Primary TeachMeet’. Registration closes on 10 March.

Professional learning schedule
All scheduled 2022 JTAN events can be found here.

2022 membership
JTAN continues to provide support for member teachers of Japanese in NSW. We are again offering a variety of professional development opportunities and student workshops throughout the year. Renew your membership to stay up to date with current Japanese language education news and JTAN events.

If you would like to become a new member of JTAN, please sign up on the JTAN website. 

If you are an existing member of JTAN, please login to the JTAN website and go through the renewal process. Use your email address as the username and reset your password if required. Do not use the login details sent to you at the start of 2021 or prior. Email JTAN if you require assistance finding your current username. Click 'I’m not a robot', otherwise you will be locked out. Once logged in, hover over your name in the top right-hand corner and select 'my memberships' to renew your membership.

Multi-teacher memberships with discounts are available. The teacher purchasing (paying) needs to select the number of memberships required at the checkout. Once the multi-teacher membership is approved by JTAN an email will be sent to the purchaser with instructions on how the other teachers can sign up with their invite codes.
 
Kimi no Na wa teacher and student extension workshop
This online workshop is an excellent opportunity for teachers of the Extension course and their students to gain a deeper understanding of the prescribed text Kimi no Na wa and the text analysis component of the course. The cost is $25 per attendee (teachers and students).
Teachers can register on behalf of their students (schools collect money and pay JTAN in one transaction for the whole group) – register here. Alternatively, students can register and pay directly through JTAN, as individuals – register here.

Exam writing workshop II
Would you like to contribute to the writing of JTAN examination papers? This is a great opportunity to develop your skills and collaborate with experts. Each year JTAN provides quality Preliminary yearly and Trial HSC examination papers. This has always been a collaborative effort amongst members and we are once again calling for volunteers to help create both Beginners and Continuers papers. This workshop provides teachers with the opportunity to engage in formal assessment writing practice, which may lead to further professional pathways within education. The workshop will be held on Saturday 5 March. Participants may be allocated according to their preference for Beginners or Continuers, and will work in small groups to develop the listening, reading and writing items for HSC-style examination questions. For members who attended the first exam writing workshop last year, this workshop will hone your skills and develop your writing ability. Participants will be rewarded with an honorarium (monetary payment) for their time and contribution. Participants may also be invited to the third workshop (tentatively to be held on Sunday 27 March) in order to refine question items.
Participation in this workshop can contribute to 4 hours of NESA Elective PD.

Registration closes on 25 February. Should you have any questions, please email JTAN with the subject line ‘Exam writing workshop II’.

Stage 4 and 5 skill building workshop series
Throughout 2022, JTAN will be running a series of free, after-school 90-120 minute workshops to share expertise around our teaching community and add value to your membership. In 2022 these workshops will focus on Stage 4 and 5 engagement & skill building. Each workshop will be facilitated by an experienced teacher who will share strategies and approaches to assist you in increasing engagement in the classroom.
 
The first workshop will be held on Wednesday 16 February. The topic for this workshop is teaching hiragana and katakana. Registrations open soon. All 2022 professional learning events can be recorded as NESA Elective PD.

2022 exam purchases
2022 JTAN exams are available for purchase now. Please note that the exam files will be made available from July, but orders must be made prior to the end of June to allow time for administrative checks to be completed. The purchase and use of JTAN Exams is subject to specific terms and conditions in addition to our normal terms and conditions all of which can be found on the JTAN website.
 
Year 11 Beginners $115
Year 11 Continuers $115
HSC Trial Beginners $115
HSC Trial Continuers $115
HSC Trial Extension $70

JPF online Japanese tutor support courses
The Japan Foundation, Sydney is offering 3 tutor support courses through the Minato online e-learning platform from upper beginner to upper elementary levels, perfect for those who want to brush up on their Japanese. These paid online courses are open to participants from around the world, with priority given to applicants living in Oceania. Courses run from 11 February to 17 May 2022. Information regarding the three courses can be found online. Applications close 2 February, or once capacity has been reached. Please contact the Japan Foundation via email with any enquiries regarding these courses.

2022 MJS grant applications for Japanese language teachers in Australia
The MJS Centre (Japanese Studies Centre for Teaching Development) would like to invite applicants for a MJS grant for Japanese language teachers in Australia. The grant scheme is provided by the Nippon Foundation Fund for Japanese Language Education Program (NF-JLEP). All grant recipients will also receive a lifetime membership of the NF-JLEP fellows. The grant scheme is designed to support teachers’ professional development to enhance their aptitude as leading Japanese language teachers in Australia.  

The grant may be used for language/cultural immersion and/or field work in Japan, enrolment in a formal language course, research, conference presentation and/or teaching relief for such activities. It may also be used collectively for the development/establishment of a workshop, website or resources for teachers’ professional development. Each grant will be $3000 for up to three successful applicants. Information regarding eligibility and conditions as well as how to apply can be found online. Please contact the MJS Centre via email with any enquiries regarding the grants.

JTAN nengajyo competition
JTAN is holding its annual 年賀状 (nengajyo) competition for primary students of Japanese, and Year 7 and Year 8 students in NSW. There will be 3 divisions available – Stage 2, Stage 3 and Stage 4. Each school may enter a maximum of 10 postcard-sized 年賀状 (9cm x 14cm).
 
The following requirements must be adhered to:

• - all work must be original work by the student (including art, illustrations and design)

- the new year’s greeting should be written in hiragana (kanji may be included too)
- on the back of each individual postcard, clearly state the student's name, school and entry division (Stage 2, 3 or 4)
- please also include a contest entry sheet list with the school name, postal address, principal’s name, Japanese teacher’s name & email, and student’s names for contact purposes
- students may use the following website to gain inspiration: Nengajyo  年賀状　無料ダウンロード.

Entries are to be mailed to:
JTAN new years card competition
c/o Mrs Sally Mizoshiri
Languages
North Sydney Girls High School
365 Pacific Highway
Crows Nest NSW 2065

Winners will be selected by nominated art teachers and announced early in Term 1 2022. Prizes will be awarded for 1st, 2nd and 3rd places in each division. Five highly commended prizes will also be awarded for excellent submissions. Students will receive a JTAN certificate and a small Japanese-themed prize.

Prescribed issues and grammar booklet for Japanese Extension
This new resource consists of 60 pages of supplementary reading comprehension texts across all three prescribed issues, with vocabulary and tasks (comprehension questions, discussion questions, writing prompts) as well as approximately 20 pages of explanations of prescribed grammar and practice exercises. There are also 10 pages of exam technique/tips/hints for all sections of the exam and additional context to support the film and associated vocabulary.

Further details regarding the booklet are available online.

Due to the challenges faced this year, the JTAN AGM and conference will be held online in a shortened format. Registrations will open at 8:45 am and the event will conclude at approximately 2 pm.

The Annual General Meeting will be accompanied by engaging presentations from Japanese teachers, with a keynote workshop on teaching proficiency through reading and storytelling and comprehensible input in the Australian context from Mr Beau Pett, CCLT convenor from the MLTAQ.  

More details can be found at this link. 

Extension monologue workshop
This free after-school Zoom workshop aims to disseminate best practice from experienced teachers of Japanese Extension, with the goal of assisting students to succeed in understanding and performing the spoken monologue.
Venue: Zoom
Date: Tuesday 2 November 2021
Time: 3:45-5:15 pm
The workshop leader will present examples of relevant and effective pedagogy to develop student skills in this area, as well as providing a range of exemplars of a range of student achievement. 
If you would like any further information about the workshop, please email with the subject line ‘Exam writing workshop 1’. Applications to participate in the monologue workshop can be made online.

Road to NSJLE Seminar Series
This year, two seminars are available for Japanese language educators. The sessions include a presentation and question time. The sessions are varied and designed specifically for teachers. These seminars are free of charge.
​
Seminar 1: Transformational Change in Primary Years' Language Programs
Date: Saturday 23 October 2021
Time: 1:00-2:00 pm
Further information is available online.
 
Seminar 2: Introducing and Understanding Non-standard Script Use in Contemporary Japan?
Date: Thursday 4 November 2021
Time: 7:00- 8:00 pm 
Further information is available online.

All interested Japanese language educators are welcome to attend. Please email Anne Dekrester if you have any questions. 

The JTAN Annual General Meeting (AGM) and mini-conference 2021 will be held online in a shortened format on Saturday 16 October 2021. Registrations will open at 8:45 am and the event will conclude at approximately 2 pm.
All members are invited to attend. If you are unable to attend the AGM, you may participate in the decision-makings by completing the Proxy form (click here to download).
Please express your interest in joining the JTAN Committee 2021-22 by completing the Nomination form (click here to download). Nomination forms are due by Friday 8 October, 2021.  

The Annual General Meeting will be accompanied by engaging presentations from Japanese teachers, with a keynote workshop on Teaching Proficiency through Reading and Storytelling and Comprehensible Input in the Australian Context from Mr Beau Pett, CCLT Convenor from the MLTAQ.
There will no fee to participate in this event. 
Interstate participants who are members of their state Japanese Teachers' Association are also welcome to attend. Please email enquire@jtan.org.au with proof of membership and your details to be added to the list of of participants. 
Apply for the AGM here!

​Would you like to learn how to write HSC-style questions for Japanese Beginners and Continuers? 
This workshop aims to teach members the processes involved in writing formal exam questions for Preliminary Yearly and HSC Trial examinations. Members will also benefit from the opportunity to participate in peer discussion and review what makes suitable exam-style questions in a collaborative environment.
There will be NO FEE to participate in this event.
The purpose of this workshop is to develop the skills and confidence of our members in exam writing, as opportunities to engage in professional exam writing are limited. By upskilling our members, we hope that more members would be able to contribute to the writing of our JTAN examination papers. Subsequent exam writing workshops will be held from early 2022.
Registration closes on 21 October. Should you have any questions, please email enquire@jtan.org.au with subject line ‘Exam Writing Workshop I’.
​Apply for the Exam Writing Workshop here!

Special support for COVID-19
The purpose of this grant is to support schools in purchasing online teaching materials to aid in the teaching of Japanese language programs online due to COVID-19.
Successful applicants will be eligible for the reimbursement of 100% of the purchase price of approved materials up to AU$700.00
This is a special grant where applications will be accepted throughout the application period, and each application will be considered upon submission. Please be mindful that applicants are requested to complete purchasing, and all reimbursement-related original documents must arrive at JPF Sydney by post no later than 24 February 2022.
Please note the following key dates:

• Application period: 19 April 2021 - 27 January 2022
• Purchasing period: from application approval until 10 February 2022  
• Final date to submit reimbursement documents: 24 February 2022

Further details can be found here.

Japan Foundation Teaching Resources
Please be reminded that the Japan Foundation has produced a collection of resources on their website to assist teachers in teaching and learning. Activities available cater to all levels, including primary, junior secondary and senior secondary.
Click 👉 here to start browsing  

2021 exam availability
The 2021 exams are now available for download from the JTAN website. If you have not purchased a 2021 exam and still wish to do so, you will need to email JTAN as exam sales have now closed.
Instructions on how to access exams are attached. A reminder that you must be logged in to access exams, and the exams are only available in the account of the purchasing member. 

Japanese Extension monologue practice day
Presentation: Tuesday 17 August 7:00 - 8:00 am 
Practice sessions: Saturday 21 August 9:00 - 2:00 pm 

This day is an opportunity for students to practise 3 unseen monologues under exam-like conditions and receive instant feedback. The event will be held online, and will be similar in format to our online speaking days with students allocated a one-hour time slot. Teacher participation is required for the day to enable students to participate. A presentation session on monologue planning and delivery will be included as part of this event and will be held on 17 August to give students time to process the advice before putting it into practice on the Saturday.
 
The event timing has been changed to be after trial exams and the Continuers speaking exam, and with 2 weeks to go before the Extension exam to allow time to continue working on responses.

These days will be advertised on the JTAN website shortly.

2021 JTAN exams purchases
2021 JTAN exams are available to purchase now. Please note that the exam files will be made available from July, but orders must be made prior to the end of June to allow time for administrative checks to be completed. The purchase and use of JTAN exams are subject to specific terms and conditions outlined on the information page when purchasing exams in addition to normal JTAN terms and conditions. In 2021 the exam declaration will be completed digitally. 

Year 11 Beginners $115
Year 11 Continuers $115
HSC Trial Beginners $115
HSC Trial Continuers $115
HSC Trial Extension $70
 
Japanese speech contest
The Japanese language speech contest is held annually at state and national level. The aims of the contest are to encourage learners who are studying Japanese to showcase their language skills in a challenging context and to advocate Japanese language learning in general. The NSW Japanese language speech contest is organised by the NSW Japanese speech contest steering committee, consisting of members from NSW universities and high schools. This year the NSW contest will be held via Zoom on Sunday 22 August. The shift  to online delivery in 2021 opens doors for learners in schools and universities located away from Sydney CBD to participate in the contest.
 
Information regarding the contest format, eligibility, divisions, judging criteria and prizes can be found on this document. Applications must be lodged via the registration website. Please email any enquiries about the contest to the organisers.