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.

Seeking examiners for student speaking days
JTAN is seeking examiners for student speaking days in June. These days will be held online and examining teachers receive an honorarium payment in recognition of their time given up on a Saturday. Teachers are required for the second Continuers speaking day on 5 June (8:45 am-12:30 pm), as well as the sole Beginners speaking day on 19 June (8:45 am-3:00 pm). If you are able to assist on either of these days, or would like further information, please email JTAN.
 
Japanese Beginners speaking day
There are still spaces available for students to attend the Beginners speaking day.
Date: Saturday 19 June
Ticket sales close: 10 pm on Friday 4 June 
Cost: $20 per student
 
Teacher registration and event details are available online.
Student direct registration is available online. A password is required (password: himitsu).

HSC Japanese speaking days 
JTAN is holding online speaking days in 2021 for Japanese Continuers and Japanese Beginners via Zoom. 

Dates
Japanese Continuers – Saturday 29 May
Japanese Beginners – Saturday 19 June

Approximately 40-50 teachers are required to assist at these events by examining on the day. Teachers who do not have students attending are welcome to participate in this professional learning experience and JTAN would like any available JTAN members to consider assisting on any days possible. Without teacher participation, these days cannot run. Participating teachers receive an honorarium in recognition of the time given up to assist.

As in 2020, students can register directly with JTAN or be registered by their teacher. In both cases, student registrations will only be accepted where an accompanying teacher from their school is examining.

Examining teachers are required to join an online training session approximately 1 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 any questions about the event will be answered.
 
Japanese Continuers speaking day
Date: Saturday 29 May (at this stage there will not be a second day for Continuers)
Ticket sales close: Friday 14 May 10 pm
Cost: $20 per student

Teacher registration is available online.
Student direct registration is available online. A password is required (password: himitsu).

Event details
1. Students are provided 4 sets of 7-minute HSC-style conversation practices + 3 minutes of feedback.
2. Students will only be allocated to one session and must be available to be placed in any session throughout the day. It will not be possible to offer students a choice.
3. Students will be informed directly of their exact practice time one week before the event. Please advise students to attend the pilot session to test their equipment, and to log in 10 minutes before their allocated session time. Please also advise them that students who arrive later than the allocated time may miss the practice.
4. If you enrol your students then you are expected to be available to examine across all 5 sessions for the duration of the event. Please note the day has been shortened to run in an online format.
5. Teachers registering on behalf of their students will need to collect specific information for each participating student before registering them.
6. Each teacher may bring up to a maximum of 15 students (be aware that this number may reduce once the event nears capacity). If the number of students is more than that, an additional (separate) application must be made by a second accompanying JTAN member.
7. Please note standard JTAN terms and conditions apply to this event.
8. Please email as soon as possible if there are any adjustments required to support student participation with the subject line "Continuers speaking day".
Questions regarding this event should be directed to JTAN by email.
 
Japanese Beginners speaking day 
Date: Saturday 19 June
Ticket sales close: Friday 4 June 10 pm
Cost: $20 per student

Teacher registration is available online.
Student direct registration is available online. A password is required (password: himitsu).

Event details:
1. Students are provided 5 sets of 5-minute HSC-style conversation practices + 3 minutes of feedback.
2. Students will only be allocated to one session and must be available to be placed in any session throughout the day. It will not be possible to offer students a choice.
3. Students will be informed directly of their exact practice time one week before the date. Please advise students to attend the pilot session to test their equipment, and to log in 10 minutes before their allocated session time. Please also advise them that students who arrive later than the allocated time may miss the practice.
4. If you enrol your students then you are expected to be available to examine across all 5 sessions for the duration of the event. Please note the day has been shortened to run in an online format – there is no separate afternoon session.
5. Teachers registering on behalf of their students will need to collect specific information for each participating student before registering. 
6. Each teacher may bring up to a maximum of 10 students. If the number of students is more than 10, an additional (separate) application must be made by a second accompanying JTAN member. Please note this number may change as the event reaches capacity.
7. Please note standard JTAN terms and conditions apply to this event.
8. Please email as soon as possible if there are any adjustments required to support student participation with the subject line "Beginners speaking day".
Questions regarding this event should be directed to JTAN by email.

FREE member 'Bullet PL' after-school workshop in Week 1.

Senior skill building – developing senior conversation skills – Continuers

Thursday 22 April 3.45-5.15 pm via Zoom.

Sign up from the event page.

Generously funded by the Macquarie Japanese Studies Centre for Teaching Development and presented by experienced HSC teacher Victoria Hay.

​Registrations close Monday 19 April 6 pm sharp.

Australian Olympic Connect Tomodachi 2021 Program
The Tomodachi 2021 Program is structured to promote international connections between young people in 2 countries, fostering a learning environment which provides a unique insight into each country’s customs, lifestyle and activities in the lead up to and during the Olympic Games.
 
Australian/Japanese schools and their respective language educators will be invited to participate through a registration process. Classes will be matched according to age or year level, and the program is available for students aged between 10-16 years old. Educators will be introduced, and contact details shared. A communication guide will be provided, with suggested themes to assist in meaningful collaboration. Educators are encouraged to engage in regular communication from the commencement of the program.

Important dates:
22 February – registrations open
19 April – registrations close
1-19 April – classes connected and educators introduced
19 April-23 July – program active

Further details about the program, including registration details, can be found online. 
 
Online seminar – Marugoto textbooks

The Japan Foundation is conducting a series of seminars for Japanese teachers introducing the Marugoto Japanese language and culture textbooks.

"Japanese Learning For Communication -A Marugoto Approach" is a series of 2 seminars in April and May. With a focus on the Elementary (A2) level, participants will learn about a teaching method based on audio input. Both sessions are conducted in Japanese.
 
Audio Input For Communication
April 18 2021, 1-3:30 pm AEST
Registrations open: 19 March 2021  
Registrations close: 13 April 2021 

Cost: The cost is free but registrations are essential.

Please note that this seminar covers the same content as the Marugoto seminar held in March and November 2020.
 
Understanding Grammar For Communication
May 16 2021, 1-3:30 pm AEST
Registrations open: 19 April 2021
Registrations close: 11 May 2021 

Cost: The cost is free but registrations are essential.

Please not that this seminar covers the same content as the Marugoto seminar held in December 2020.
 
Further details and registration information can be found online.
 
Japanese cooking workshops with Chef Dekura 🍣
Chef Dekura is continuing his popular school incursions in 2021. Participants have the opportunity to learn the values, traditions and history of Japan through hands-on cooking lessons with Chef Dekura. The workshops include a wide variety of maki-sushi styles, tea ceremony, shojin ryori, and cha-kaiseki ryori. Booking information and 2021 workshop details can be found on the information sheet.
 
Employment opportunities
Japanese teacher – Caringbah High School
A position is available at Caringbah High School to cover for a teacher on leave from 11 May to 4 June 2021. Please contact Richard Riley  for further information.
 
Japanese speaker – Australian Olympic Committee
The Australian Olympic Committee is seeking a Japanese speaker to travel to Japan during the Olympics to take on the role of a language translator. Please contact Hee-Kyung Lee for further information.

Professional learning schedule
There are many JTAN professional learning events planned for 2021. All of the scheduled 2021 events can be viewed here.
 
Kimi no Na wa teacher and student online Extension workshop
This workshop is an 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. (A separate workshop focusing on monologue and writing skills will be held later in the year.)

This workshop will be held online on Saturday 27 March 2021.
Cost: $25 per attendee (teachers and students)

There are two options for registration.
1) Teachers register on behalf of their students (schools collect money and pay JTAN in one transaction for the whole group) – register here
2) Students register and pay directly through JTAN as individuals – register here
 
High potential and gifted education in languages workshop
From 27 January 2021, all NSW public schools must implement the High Potential and Gifted Education Policy. For language teachers, this means ensuring that high potential and gifted students can be supported to aspire to and achieve personal excellence in the language classroom.

This workshop, opening with a presentation by Melissa Gould-Drakely (NESA Curriculum Reform Lead 7–10), aims to give teachers practical strategies and advice for how to support and extend our high potential students in the languages classroom. Collaboration time is included to discuss and unpack ideas presented in the morning and discuss how they can be implemented effectively in the classroom/share your strategies for supporting high potential and gifted students.

This workshop will be held online on Saturday 13 March.

Cost: $65 members, $100 non-members

Please register via the JTAN Website
 
Senior skill building workshop series
Throughout 2021, JTAN will be running a series of free, after-school 90 minute workshops to share expertise around our teaching community and add value to membership. In 2021 these workshops will focus on unpacking the skills required for success in Stage 6 Beginners and Continuers courses. Each workshop will be facilitated by an experienced teacher who will unpack the requirements of the specific skill (reading, writing, speaking, listening) and provide a range of techniques, strategies and approaches to assist  in developing  students' skills in those areas.
 
Cost: Free for members
Time: 3:30pm-5:00pm

Please register via the links below
Thursday 18 March – Reading and responding B-style questions
Thursday 22 April – Developing senior speaking skills (Continuers)
Thursday 22 July – Developing writing skills (Beginners)
Thursday 11 November – Developing writing skills (Extension)

 
2021 JTAN examinations
2021 JTAN examinations are now available for purchase. 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.

Year 11 Beginners $115
Year 11 Continuers $115
HSC Trial Beginners $115
HSC Trial Continuers $115
HSC Trial Extension $70
​
All terms and conditions regarding the purchase and use of JTAN exams together with information on how to purchase the examinations can be found on the JTAN 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.

Are you new to teaching the Extension course?

​This collaborative workshop will enable teachers to better understand and explain the linguistic nuances in all 9 prescribed extracts of ‘Kimi No Na Wa’. A number of prompt questions for each extract will be provided for discussion and as examples for teachers to use in lessons when analysing the language in the extracts.

Teachers who wish to attend are expected to be familiar ALL extracts (have read through at least once) and be open to contributing their ideas and questions in groups on the day. 

Maximum of 25 participants. (No availability for preservice teachers.)

Note this is a REPEAT of a workshop held in April this year – at a reduced cost as printed materials will not be provided this time (available digitally.

This workshop will be held ONLINE via Zoom.

• 1 November 1 2020
  9:00am to 5:00pm
  
• ​
  For further information please visit the JTAN website.

This year's JTAN AGM and conference will be held online on Saturday 14 November in a shortened format and will be free for all members. The schedule for the day involves a workshop on 'Differentiation and Engagement' by Trish MacDonald, TeachMeet sessions on various topics by NSW teachers, and the JTAN AGM.
 
Completing this workshop will contribute 3 hours of NESA registered professional development addressing 6.2.2 and 7.4.2 in the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers towards maintaining proficient teacher accreditation in NSW.
 
Members who are unable to attend the AGM may still participate in the decision-makings by completing the proxy form (click here to download).
 
Several committee positions will become available at this year’s AGM, including:
• Vice President
• Accounts & Admin Manager
• Secretary
• Communications Manager
• Workshop Coordinator

To find out more information or to register for the AGM and conference, please visit the JTAN website.