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.

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.