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.