What's On

Are you interested in teaching Japanese in secondary schools in England? Would you like to get the teaching qualification to realise that ambition? If so, please don’t miss this great opportunity!

The National Modern Languages SCITT and the Japan Foundation, London will be holding an information event aimed at potential applicants for the National Modern Languages SCITT (School-Centred Initial Teacher Training). This is a national scheme approved by the government’s Department for Education. It is designed to train successful applicants to become Early Career Teachers by obtaining a QTS.

The National Modern Languages SCITT (The NML SCITT) is unique, being the only national single-subject provider to specialise solely in the teaching of modern languages. The NML SCITT programme is a great opportunity for those who are looking to gain QTS together with the recognised standard qualification of Post Graduate Certificate in Education (PGCE). The PGCE programme is offered in conjunction with Sheffield Hallam University, and comes with credits towards an eventual possible Masters-level qualification, should trainees take up the option to continue study in the future. Subject to financial, degree classification and residential qualification, participants accepted on the programme may receive a substantial bursary while training; this is currently £25,000, but please note that this is subject to annual change. The training year consists of an empowering combination of practical training in school placements, supported by University- and centre-based academic tuition.

The NML SCITT will introduce a new pathway for training Japanese language teachers as part of its programme; there will be an expectation in the first instance that Japanese will be offered alongside either French, German or Spanish in order to cater for schools’ existing curricular offers, and to ensure that there is a possibility of qualifying for the bursary. Whilst in the past the provider’s focus has mainly been on these nationally prevalent modern languages (French, German, and Spanish), Mandarin, Arabic, Russian and Italian have also featured in our trainees’ languages skill sets. The NML SCITT will be proud and pleased to add Japanese to the programme portfolio.

Please note that trainees are required to have French, German or Spanish as a primary foreign language they can potentially teach, with Japanese as an additional language. This means that trainees will be able to teach two languages.

On this information day, Mr Keith Faulkner from the National Modern Languages SCITT will give a speech about SCITT, and explain how to apply for the NML SCITT. There will be a Q&A session.

Date: 17:00-17:45 on Tuesday 30th April

To apply, please click here.

• Participation fee: Free (registration in advance is required.)
• Registration deadline: 26th April
• Languages used: English
• Online (ZOOM meeting)

Applications are now open for JaLaChamp 2024!

Latest updates

• 07/12 - Speech Category deadline extended!
• 31/10 - Prospective applicants and their teachers/guardians can now check out our Frequently Asked Questions document.
• 26/10 - Check out our JaLaChamp 2024 outline video!
• 18/10 - You can now download Video Creation Hints!

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JaLaChamp, or Japanese Language Championship for Young Learners UK, is a contest for primary and secondary school students studying Japanese. There are two categories - the speech category, where students give a speech on a theme of their choice, and the video category where students are asked to create an original video either by individual or part of a group.

The world is changing very quickly. Technology is advancing, and nowadays if we have a computer or a smartphone we can send a message to anyone in the world. In a time like this, we should always consider the following questions: “What message do I want to convey and how?” Using the voice, the written word, visuals, design and more – there are many ways to express ourselves. It is important to be able to combine these different choices of expression to create a way of expressing ourselves that others can understand, empathise with or be persuaded by.

We want to encourage students to share with us their thoughts and viewpoints, as well as show us their creativity in full and have fun challenging themselves by entering this contest and using their Japanese!

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Application deadline for the Speech Category: 6^th December 2023 (Wednesday), 15:00

The Speech Category Deadline has been EXTENDED.

New Speech Category Deadline: 24th January 2024 (Wednesday), 15:00

(Please note that the application guidelines, application form, application poster etc display the previous deadline)

• Speech Category Application Form

Application deadline for the Video Category: 24^th January 2024 (Wednesday), 15:00

• Video Category Application Form

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1. Download Guidelines and Event Poster

• English Guidelines
• Japanese Guidelines
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Download our JaLaChamp 2024 poster
• Watch our JaLaChamp 2024 Outline Video

2. Reference Materials for Students

• Video Creation Hints
• Videos of JaLaChamp 2023

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• Finals day: 11th May 2024 (Saturday)
• Venue: Japan House London, 101-111 Kensington High Street, London, W8 5SA

* Please note: The Finals Day of JaLaChamp 2023 was held in July, however the JaLaChamp 2024 Finals Day will be held in May

Date:	25 September 2023 - 24 January 2023
Download JaLaChamp 2024 Poster (1)
Download JaLaChamp2024_Application Guideline_EN
Download JaLaChamp2024_Application Guideline_JP
Download JaLaChamp2024_Video Creation Hints
Download JaLaChamp FAQ

The Japanese-Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) is a test for non-native speakers of Japanese which evaluates and certifies their Japanese-Language proficiency. The test takes place twice a year (July and December) in Japan and various locations around the world. Currently, it is the largest Japanese language test in the world, with more than 1.36 million people in 87 countries worldwide having registered for the JLPT in 2019.

The next JLPT will take place on Sunday, 7^th July 2024. Registration will start at each test centre in March. 

Please check this page for any updates on UK test centres for the July 2024 JLPT. For application opening dates and registration details, please refer to each university’s website using the links below:

Japan Research Centre, SOAS University of London

University of Leicester

Please note that the JLPT is very popular and registration at each test centre will close when the test centre has reached its maximum capacity.

For more information about the test, please visit JLPT website.

Ø  Let’s Try Sample Questions!

Ø  Download a Guide to the 2024 Japanese-Language Proficiency Test.

Date:	7 July 2024
Download guide_2024