Courses and Events - Events for teachers interested in Japan and Japanese

Click here for other courses for volunteers and teachers of Japanese.

Head Start

This one-day course offers curriculum planners, language teachers and co-ordinators from UK primary and secondary schools the opportunity to get to grips with some of the issues specific to the teaching of Japanese.

Lead by experienced Japanese Language Advisors, the day includes a Japanese taster experience, sessions on exams and resources, as well as networking opportunities with colleagues who have introduced Japanese successfully. Participants also have access to the specialist library and information facilities.

Click here to read about Head Start 2011.
Click here to read about Head Start 2010.
Click here to read about Head Start 2009.
Click here to read an interview with Jamie Barnes, whose school attended Head Start in 2008.

Please check this page again or sign up to our e-bulletin for details of future Head Start courses.

Japan Conference for Schools

This one-day conference has run annually for a number of years and is organised by the British Council, the Embassy of Japan, the Japan Foundation and the Japan Society. It is funded by the Department for Children, Schools and Families.

The conference is free to attend, and open to all teachers and local authority advisors. It aims to allow them to network and share practical ideas about introducing Japan and Japanese in their schools. It also aims to give experienced schools ideas on taking their Japanese activities further.

We are particularly interested in including participants who are thinking about Japanese teaching or developing a link with Japan but who have not yet done so, and those who have not attended the Conference before.

The Conference includes a variety of workshops by UK-based teachers. These focus on topics such as teaching Japanese language and culture, and linking projects with Japanese partner schools. Participants are also able to exchange ideas with colleagues and attend surgeries about funding and other support available for schools for Japan-related projects.

One or two participants can apply from each school or organisation. If you have already attended and enjoyed the conference in previous years, please encourage a different colleague to attend the next conference.

The next Conference will take place on October 14th 2011. Click here for more information.

Click here to read a report on the October 2009 Conference.
Click here to read a report on the January 2009 Conference.