Calendar of planned events
July 2009
Monday, 20th - Wednesday, 22nd July: Advanced Japanese Refresher Course. Click here for more information.
Monday, 27th - Friday, 31st July: Intermediate Japanese Refresher Course. Click here for more information.
Courses and events for teachers
JFLLC supports the teaching of Japanese throughout the UK aiming to provide teachers in all sectors with the information and training they need to keep on top of their subject. Teachers travel from all over the UK to attend these courses and as such they are also a great way of networking and exchanging ideas with colleagues in the field. Recent courses for teachers have included:
- 力-CHIKARA Workshop
CHIKARA Update Workshops 2009-10
The Japan Foundation London Language Centre will be running a series of free workshops throughout 2009-10, aimed at teachers of GCSE Japanese. The workshops will focus on the CHIKARA Resources for GCSE Japanese, which were created by the Japan Foundation in 2008, with generous support from the Great Britain Sasakawa Foundation.
The aims of these workshops are to help you improve your skills in making new resources to match a particular syllabus, and to give you an insight into how the GCSE in Japanese is changing.
Part 1 of the CHIKARA Update series was a two-day workshop, held on 28th - 29th May 2009. Part 2 will be a series of half-day workshops, held between autumn 2009 and spring 2010.
Click here for a flyer with detailed information.
Click here for a report on Part 1 of the CHIKARA Update series.
- StepOutNet
Training Day
The JFLLC runs training sessions designed for private tutors, teachers, volunteers and enthusiasts interested in delivering Japanese taster lessons at UK primary and secondary schools. Over 80 volunteers have signed up as StepOutNet members, a number of school visits have taken place, and more lessons are due to be delivered by volunteers in the near future.
In each training session, participants will receive new ideas for lesson activities and also have the opportunity to meet each other and discuss previous visits.
The most recent StepOutNet Training Day took place on Tuesday, 16th June. Click here for a report on the day's activities.
The next Training Day will take place in September 2009. Further details will be announced here when they are available.
Click here for more information about all StepOutNet training days.
If you would like to find out more about StepOutNet please click here.
Click here if you are a teacher interested in organising a Japanese language taster at your school.
Click here if you are interested in becoming a StepOutNet volunteer.
- Intensive
Japanese Language Refresher Courses
These courses are designed to increase confidence in Japanese; develop your speaking, listening, reading and writing skills; and further your knowledge of Japanese culture. Open to non-native speaking secondary and primary teachers of Japanese with Japanese language skills, this is the perfect opportunity to enjoy small-group tuition in a supportive atmosphere.
This year there will be two courses:
Advanced Japanese Refresher Course
Monday 20th – Wednesday 22nd July
Three-day course suitable for teachers at JLPT Level 2 and above.
Open to: All non-native speaking teachers of Japanese, as well as teachers and PGCE students who have the chance to offer Japanese in future.
Click here for a flyer with detailed information
Click here for an application form
Click here for the self-assessment test
Click here for the self-assessment test answers
Click here for a draft programme.
Intermediate Japanese Refresher Course
Monday 27th – Friday 31st July
Five-day course suitable for teachers at around JLPT Level 3.
Open to: All non-native speaking teachers of Japanese, as well as teachers and PGCE students who have the chance to offer Japanese in future. We will accept priority bookings from teachers currently based in primary and secondary schools, until 18th May.
Click here for a flyer with detailed information
Click here for an application form
Click here for the self-assessment test
Click here for the self-assessment test answers
Click here for a draft programme.
The application period is now over but please still contact us if you are interested in attending. There may still be space on the courses or we can put you on a waiting list.
Click here to read a report of the 2008 event.
Previous participants have found the course extremely worthwhile – the comments below are from participants in the 2008 course:
Super language teaching which had helped secure some of my dodgy understanding of grammar! ... Thank you all so much for your hard work and kindness (Meredith Bryer, primary school teacher)
I received many useful teaching materials and I am so impressed with the facilities that the JFLLC has to offer teachers of Japanese. I feel thoroughly supported and can't wait to try out some of the materials in September. I found the teachers inspiring and well-prepared and very professional (London secondary school teacher)
I enjoyed the variety of the course and opportunity to learn more about Japanese culture as well as the language. I loved doing the [play]! I feel a lot more confident about doing creative things in my lessons and can see how valuable drama is in learning a language. All the teachers were excellent and this made the whole course very enjoyable and stimulating (Mairi Smart, Audenshaw School, Manchester)
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Head Start
This one-day course offers curriculum planners, language teachers and coordinators 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.
Head Start 2009 was held on Monday, 23rd February.
Click here to read about the day's activities.
Click here to read an interview with Jamie Barnes, whose school attended Head Start in 2008.
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Japan Conference for Schools
The Japan Conference for Schools is organised by the British Council, the Embassy of Japan, the Japan Foundation and the Japan Society. It provides a great opportunity for teachers and local authority advisors 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.
The 2009 Japan Conference for Schools was held on Monday, 26th January. Details of the next Conference will appear here when they are available.
Click here to read a report on the 2009 Conference.
- Study Days for Teachers
of IB (International Baccalaureate) Japanese
A chance to study together, explore how the marking criteria apply to Japanese and to share teaching ideas.
Organised by the Japan Language Committee of ALL (Association for Language Learning), with co-operation from the Japan Foundation London Language Centre.
The most recent study days were held on 26th and 27th March 2009. Details of future events will be announced when they are available.
- Asset Languages
Day for Teachers of Japanese
This free one-day course was co-organised by Asset Languages and the Japan Foundation London Language Centre. It was held at the JFLLC on Friday, 8th May 2009. The aims of the course were to deepen Japanese teachers' knowledge and understanding of Asset Language qualifications, and to provide an overall understanding of the background of these qualifications, as well as specific, practical information about Asset Language qualifications in Japanese.
Click here for a report on the Asset Languages Day.
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Continuing Professional Development for
Japanese Language Teachers
This three-day course was designed to provide CPD for teachers of Japanese language. It gave a thorough grounding in choosing suitable resources and using them effectively, cross-curricular activities (including combining Japanese language learning with Museum Studies through Japanese art), and sharing resources and activities with other teachers. The course included a visit to the British Museum.
The CPD course was held from 28th - 30th May 2008.
- Use of Conference Room
The lecture hall and seminar spaces can be booked by non-profit making organisations for Japanese-related meetings and events.
The Centre organises occasional courses in other parts of the country in partnership with others.