SEPTEMBER 2023 | VOL. 12 | NO. 3

AATJ NEWSLETTER
全米日本語教育学会 American Association of Teachers of Japanese
新型コロナウイルス感染症関連の様々な規制が解除された日本へ教え子を引率された先生方も多いのではないでしょうか。僕もその中の一人で４年ぶりに25名を京都へ引率して夏季短期留学プログラムを実施しました。体感
温度が42℃に達する日もある中、大きなトラ
ブルもなく終えることができ次への励みとなりました。

In this issue...
FALL
CONFERENCEINFORMATIONNATIONAL
JAPANESE EXAMINFO
ICJLE 2024 - CALL
FOR PROPOSALSSPOTLIGHT RETURN TO
SUMMER
EXCURSIONS TOJAPANBRIDGINGSCHOLARSHIPAND CULTR
GRANT
RECIPIENTSAND MORE!

さて、全米の日本語教育に目を向けますと、
K-12関係では、いきなりの日本語プログラムをカットしたり定年退職した教員を補填することなく段階的に縮小廃止していくような地域もあれば、学区内の高校すべてで日本語クラスを開講し始めた僕の住んでいるシカゴ郊
外のような地域もあります。全米レベルでの教員不足が続いてる中、日本語も例外ではありません。新年度開始ぎりぎりになっても教員が決まらず、学期開始後も教員募集を継続
しながら既存の先生に一時的に頼りながら毎
SHINGO 日を凌いでいる学校もあります。大学関係でも教員不足は続いていますが、学内予算等のSATSUTANI 関係で非常勤講師だけで運営している大学もMessagefrom thePresident

少なくないようです。また最近のニュースでは大学の外国語学部全体を廃止する計画なども見られ、みんなで声を挙げながら外国語教育の必要性を説かなければいけない状況にもなっているようです。
In the U.S. there have been reports that some colleges anduniversities are trying to eliminate entire world language
departments or are ceasing to replace retired language instructors
while there are school districts trying to establish new Japanese
programs, such as the northeast suburb of Chicago. There are also
reports that many existing teachers have been asked to teach extra
classes due to the shortage of teachers.
We have to collaboratively advocate for the necessity to keep world
language programs and also attract more young people to become
language teachers as a cultural ambassador.
この秋にはACTFL学会が僕の地元のシカゴで開催されます。学会展示会場のAATJブースではACTFL担当のプレフューメ先生、高橋先生、立山先生
だけでなくADVOCACY担当の大塚先生と徳田先生も在シカゴ日本国総領事
館文化広報センターの協力も得ながら魅力的なプログラムを企画しています。また、JNHS（オナーソサイアティ又は日本語優等生協会）のピンも販売する予定です。還暦を迎えた僕自身が皆さんと一緒に「全米日本語教育学会」の還暦を楽しく祝えるような有意義な学会にしたいと思います。
1

SEPA
T P2R0. 2 23 0 |2 0
V O| LV. O1L2. |2 0
NO.3

At the ACTFL Convention in Chicago, we would like to celebrate the 60th year anniversaryof AATJ together with our members. For this purpose, Prefume-sensei, Takahashi-Sensei,
Tateyama-sensei, Otsuka-sensei and Tokuda-sensei have been tirelessly planning fun
programs during the convention with some assistance from the Japan Information Center in
Chicago (Consulate General of Japan at Chicago).
来年2024年は例年の春学会に代わって、アメリカでは2006年に次いで2度目となる日本語教育国際研究大会 (ICJLE)をウィスコンシン大学マジソン校でカナダ日本語教育振興会と共催します。AATJの元会長の森純子先生が大会実行委員長として敏腕を奮って下さっています。皆さんも世界中から集まる
人々とネットワークを広げてみませんか。詳細は別途AATJから配信されるBulletinをご参照ください。
AATJ will host the International Conference of Japanese Language Education (ICJLE) on
August 1st-3rd, 2024 with the Canadian Association of Japanese Language Education(CAJLE). ICJLE will be held at The University of Wisconsin at Madison and our former
president, Mori-sensei, is working harder for its preparation with many other volunteer
teachers. I truly hope that many teachers in the US enhance their professional network
through various activities during the convention. Stay tuned for more detailed informationfrom AATJ Bulletin.
また、引き続き皆さんに積極的にかかわっていただける安定した組織として発展していくためK-12関係からとHigher Ed関係からの２人の副会長を置くことになりました。現副会長のアベロ先生は今年12月に任期が切れますが二人同時の選出を避けるため、特例としてアベロ先生には引き続きあと１年副会長として残って頂き、Higher Edからの副会長を新たに選出し様々な仕事を分担していくことになりました。従いまして、今秋の役員選挙では次期会長と副会長（Higher Ed関係）を選出することになりましたので本部からの選挙準備がすべて整いましたら投票をよろしくお願いします。
Per the revision of our By-Laws, we will have 2 vice presidents (one from K-12 andanother from Higher Ed). The current Vice President, Avello-sensei will extend her term
one more year while electing a new Vice President from Higher-Ed teachers. I would like tourge you to participate in this important election for President-Elect and Vice President
once the election voting is announced.
さて、個人的には例年通り秋学期は５クラスすべてが成立、毎春実施しているスプリングブレーク京
都花見研修はほぼ定員に達する見込み、また夏季5週間京都日本語研修も実施の運びとなり忙しい毎日が続きます。私人としての僕ですが高校最後の年となった長女はシングルフィギュアスケーターとしては最終シーズンとなり今後はアイスダンススケーターに転向、日本ではまだ中２なのにアメリカでは高校生になった次女は引き続き、「芸術系」で頑張るようです。相方は作家として締め切りに追われる日々を送っています。
地方の教師会に属していらっしゃらない先生方やAATJの傘下に入っていない教師会の先生方のお話も聞かせていただきたいのでsatsutan@cod.edu までご連絡ください。

2

SEPA
T P2R0. 2 23 0 |2 0
V O| LV. O1L2. |2 0
NO.3

新学期が始まり、皆さまが充実した授業を展開されていることを心より願っております。
さて、今年も11月に秋の学会(ACTFL)が迫って参りました。私たち日本語教
育者にとって、こうした大きな会議への参加は、最新の教育技術や研究を学
ぶだけでなく、同業者との交流や新たな視点を得る絶好の機会です。是非ともこの機会を利用して、多くの皆様に参加していただきたいと思います。
そして、来年8月には「日本語教育国際研究大会(ICJLE)」がウィスコンシン
州マディソンで予定されております。次回の大会テーマは「日本語教育の多様性と専門性を考える」と題して開催されます。このテーマは、現代の教育の中で非常に重要な要点を取り上げています。私たちが日々授業を行う中で直面する多様な問題や課題、そしてそれをどのように専門的に取り組むかという視点を共有し、議論することは大変有意義です。

Messagefrom the K-12の先生方にも、この国際的なステージでの発表や参加を強くお勧めいた
Vice します。学びの場を広げ、世界の先生方との交流を深めるこのまたとない機会を、ぜひともご活用ください。
President また、９月に全米の教師会の横の繋がりを強化するためのアフィリエイト
MIEKO AVELLO

Meet & Greetミーティングを開催する予定です。今回は以前に各教師会の皆さまから提案していただいたトピックの中からいくつかを選び話し合い、11月のA C T F Lでのアフィリエイトミーティングに繋げていければと思っています。
引き続き、日本語教育の発展のため、共に努力してまいりましょう。

3

SEPA
T P2R0. 2 23 0 |2 0
V O| LV. O1L2. |2 0
NO.3

Annual Fall Conference ACTFL 2023 in Chicago
YUKO PREFUME, NOBUAKI TAKAHASHI & JAIME TATEYAMA GUSMANFALL CONFERENCE CO-DIRECTORSThe AATJ Fall Conference will be held in person in Chicago during the American Council on the Teaching of
Foreign Languages (ACTFL) Annual Convention and World Languages Expo from Friday, November 17th
through Sunday, November 19th, 2023.
AATJ will host twelve sessions and nine paper presentations, including five practice-oriented papers and four
research-oriented papers. The complete schedule will be posted at https://www.aatj.org/conferences-fall/
In the exhibition area, AATJ will be in the Japan Pavilion with other vendor booths. One can participate incultural activities such as an Ikebana Workshop sponsored by the Consulate General of Japan in Chicago andEdamame Champ sponsored by the AATJ local affiliate teachers at the AATJ booth. Vendors such as
Kinokuniya, The Japan Times, and JPT America are a few that will also be in the Japan Pavilion.

ACTFL 2022 Japan Pavilion Vendor BoothAATJ 2022 Cultural Activity BoothThe AATJ Teacher Award Luncheon will be held in the Convention Center from 12:15pm to 1:30pm on
Saturday, November 18th, 2023. This is a great opportunity to network with Japanese educators, supporters,
and guests from the local community. Tickets are $66 and the last day to purchase tickets is November 10th.
Please purchase a luncheon ticket when you register for the conference. AATJ will not sell tickets at our boothand ACTFL will not have tickets for sale on-site. If you have already registered but did not request a luncheonticket, please go back online to your account on the ACTFL website and add the luncheon to your registration,or contact ACTFL. When you register, please verify that all workshops/special events are correct, as no changes
or refunds will be permitted after. If you decide to select another workshop after November 10th, you will be
required to pay the difference between the advance and the late pricing of the new activity selected. Thoseregistering after November 10th will not be permitted to make changes to their selections once the registration
process is complete.
In addition to the sessions, presentations and luncheon, AATJ General Membership Meeting will be held on
Saturday evening, November 18th. The membership meeting provides a wonderful opportunity to reconnect
with our members and celebrate our gains and accomplishments over the past year. There will be door prizes
and hors d'oeuvre, please join us!!

4

SEPA
T P2R0. 2 23 0 |2 0
V O| LV. O1L2. |2 0
NO.3

2023 ACTFL-AATJ Schedule
FRIDAY, November 17th, 2023
AATJ Session in Room W178B

7:00am8:00am

First Time Attendee Orientation and Welcome

8:30am10:00am

Opening General Session with Keynote Speaker

10:15am11:15am

Exhibit Hall Opening with Welcome Coffee

10:30am11:15am

Exhibitor Workshops

11:30am12:15pm 1716

AP Japanese: How to Enhance Student Performance on the Exam
Koji Tanno, University of Kentucky(Language of presentation: English)

12:15pm1:30pm 1878

AATJ Affiliate Representative Meeting Room W178B

1:30pm2:15pm

910

2:30pm3:15pm 1645
3:30pm4:15pm

904

The Power of Genius Hour: Quest for Students; Curiosity and Wonder
Junko Tokuda Simpson, University of California, San Diego
Yasu-Hiko Tohsaku, University of California, San Diego
Izumi Takeda, University of California, San Diego(Language of presentation: Japanese)
Enhancing Problem-Solving Skills through Business Case Studies
Yoshiko Mori, Georgetown University(Language of presentation: Japanese)
New Challenging Eduation will Change the Ordinary Education Style
Masayo Ohyama, United Nations International School
Kazuo Tsuda, United Nations International School(Language of presentation: Japanese)
AATJ Paper Session <Research Oriented>

4:30pm5:15pm

530

The Impact of Japanese Refusal Instructions on Learners’ Pragmatic Choices
Bo Zhan(Language of presentation: English)

493

Experiences on a Remote Island in Japan: A Sociolinguistic Norm Perspective
Masaki Minobe, Perdue University(Language of presentation: Japanese)1114

The Role of Community Colleges in the Rise of Japanese Enrollment in the US
Tomonori Nagano, LaGuardia Community College, the CUNY
(Language of presentation: English)
AATJ Paper Session

5:30pm6:15pm

970<Practice Oriented Paper>
Improving Turn-Taking Skills During Small-Group Discussions via TBLT Design
Nobuaki Takahashi, Elizabethtown College(Language of presentation: Japanese)

1291<Practice Oriented Paper>
What are ‘Fun’ and ‘Enjoyment’ for Learners in a Japanese Language Classroom
Shinji SHiomomura, William and Mary, College of William and Mary
Mako Nozu, University of South Florida(Language of presentation: Japanese)

5

SEPA
T P2R0. 2 23 0 |2 0
V O| LV. O1L2. |2 0
NO.3
AATJ Session in Room W178B

5:30pm6:15pm

368<Research Oriented Paper>
Test Validation through Reliability Simulations for Different Task Designs
Nana Suzumura, California State University, Long Beach(Language of presentation: English)

6:30pm7:30pm

ACTFL Professional Awards Ceremony

7:45pm8:45pm

President's Welcome Reception

7:30pm9:30pm 1877

AATJ Officers and Directors Meeting
Room W195

SATURDAY, November 18th, 2023
AATJ Session in Room W178B

8:00am8:45am

708

Fostering a Sense of Speaker Legitimacy as Language Teachers and Learners
Shinsuke Tsuchiya, Brigham Young University(Language of presentation: English)

8:15am9:00am

Exhibitor Workshops

9:00am9:45am

Meet the Exhibitors / Wellness Event in Exhibit Hall587

Let’s Motivate Unenthusiastic Learners Using “Nudges” Low-Cost Intervention
Mieko Avello, Miami Palmetto Senior High School
Kazue Masuyama, California State University, Sacramento(Language of presentation: Japanese)

11:15am12:00pm 1739

Curriculum Development: Integrating Proficiency, Culture, Diversity, and SDGs
Suwako Watanabe, Portland State University(Language of presentation: Japanese)

10:15am11:15am

12:15pm1:30pm

AATJ Teacher Award Luncheon
Room W474AB

1:30pm2:15pm 1167

Corroborate Open Educational Resources to Create K-16 Japanese Language Art
Kazuo Tsuda, United Nations International School
Naomi Asakura, Harvard University(Language of presentation: Japanese)
AATJ Paper Session <Practice Oriented>

2:30pm3:15pm

1128

21st Century Skills and Learning to Contribute in Advanced Japanese Class
Sachiko Hiramatsu, Brown University(Language of presentation: English)

1801

Learning from Kodomo Shokudo Virtual Exchange Service-Learning
Yuko Prefume, Baylor University(Language of presentation: Japanese)

1050

Teaching Japanese Gender Pragmatics in an Online Environment
Natalia Konstantinovskaia, Oakwood Community Center(Language of presentation: English)

3:30pm4:15pm

Exhibitor Workshops

3:30pm4:30pm

Meet the Exhibitors and Electronic Posters
6

SEPA
T P2R0. 2 23 0 |2 0
V O| LV. O1L2. |2 0
NO.3
AATJ Session in Room W178B

4:30pm5:15pm

268

Core Practices: How HS-AP and College Teachers Perceive the Pandemic EffectKiyomi Chinen, California State University, Long Beach
Yoshiko Saito-Abbott, California State University, Monterey Bay
Shingo Satsutani, College of DuPage(Language of presentation: Japanese)

5:30pm6:15pm 1620

We Authors for Second Language Writing - Student Tadoku Book Project
Kazuko Saito, Clarkstown CSD and CUNY
Mieko Sperbeck, John Jay College of Criminal Justice(Language of presentation: Japanese)

6:30pm8:30pm 1880

AATJ General Membership Meeting and Door Prize
Room 196CSUNDAY, November 19th, 2023
AATJ Session in Room W178B

8:00am8:45am 1633
9:00am10:00am
10:00am10:45am 1171
11:00am12:00pm

Using Authentic Materials for Extensive Listening & Reading for All Levels
Junko Hosoi, Aragon High School
Susan Watson, Long Beach Polytechnic High School(Language of presentation: Japanese)
Meet the Exhibitors / Wellness Event in Exhibit Hall
Cooking in the Classroom: Scaling Lessons for All Proficiency Levels
Coral Bishop, Columbus North International School, Columbus City Schools
Dawn Hasselbach, Columbus City Schools(Language of presentation: English)
Closing General Session with Keynote Speaker (live broadcast)

The goal of the ACTFL Annual Convention andWorld Languages Expo is to provide acomprehensive professional development
experience that will have an impact on
language educators at all levels of teaching andin turn enable their students to succeed in theirlanguage learning process. The ACTFL Annual
Convention and World Languages Expo iswhere language educators from around theworld come to meet! This global event canbring language educators from distinct
languages, levels, and assignments together,and learn from each other!

7

SEPA
T P2R0. 2 23 0 |2 0
V O| LV. O1L2. |2 0
NO.3

Registration
Registration is already open! Please check the ACTFL site for further details. AATJ is a Convention Partner
Organization and you can register at a member rate.
https://www.actfl.org/convention-and-expo

Full Convention:
OnsiteAdvanced(10/25/23)

Late(After 10/25/23)

Member$325$425

Non-Member

$475

$575

Presenter (Membership Required)

$275

$375

Student

$160

$210

One Day Onsite Only

Advanced(10/25/23)

Late(After 10/25/23)

Member$310$410

Non-Mmber

$445

$545

To register for the ACTFL Convention, please go to this website: https://www.actfl.org/convention-and-expo andclick on the “Get Registered” button. If you are a current AATJ member, be sure to scroll down the ACTFL 2023
Registration page and use “Convention Partner Organization Registration” under Option 2 in order to register at
the lower member rate.

Stipend Award Program
To apply, please go here: https://www.actfl.org/attend/stipend-award-program
ACTFL sponsors this Stipend Award program to provide financial assistance in the amount of $500 to registrants
for the Full Convention in the following categories to help offset ACTFL 2023 Convention expenses.

Housing
For details regarding hotel reservations, please go to https://registration.experientevent.com/showAFL231
Official Hotels:
Marriott Marquis Chicago-Headquarter Hotel Hyatt Regency McCormick Place$273 Single / Double$271 Single / Double
Hampton Inn Chicago McCormick Place$235 Single / Double

Hilton Garden Inn Chicago McCormick Place$239 Single/ Double

Home 2 Suites by Hilton McCormick Place (3 night minimum)$235 Single / Double
For best availability and immediate confirmation, make your reservation online. Requests received via fax ormail may take longer to process. All hotel requests are processed on an availability basis. Please note that the
Maritz is ACTFL’s official housing company. Also, please note that no one will contact you directly via
phone/email to book your hotel room(s) or offer you a “special discounted conference rate.” There are multiple
scamming companies that call and/or email exhibitors claiming to represent ACTFL housing. To be clear, thesecompanies are in no way affiliated with ACTFL. Please disregard any calls or emails you may receive.

8

SEPA
T P2R0. 2 23 0 |2 0
V O| LV. O1L2. |2 0
NO.3

A Better World begins with You and Language
This year, the American Association of Teachers of Japanese (AATJ) seeks to celebrate diversity andrecognize the transformative power of language. To accomplish this, we want to showcase your students’achievements and experiences at the November general meeting in Chicago.
Please fill out the following Google Form and submit any of the following items:
https://forms.gle/DMqJ7HzcCosFKhUDA*Class pictures of your students showing how they are connecting to the world through the Japanese
language (class activities, activities from JNHS, Exchanges, etc.).
*Short 1-minute video in which students share how Japanese language has impacted and influenced
them, or how it has enabled them to learn more about the world, broaden their horizons or transformed
them into better citizens.
The deadline for the pictures and videos will be November 4th, 2023 (Saturday).
This is a wonderful opportunity to share with language educators the impact language teaching has on
students and communities and to send the message of the importance of language education in our
schools, districts, nationwide and in the world.

9

SEPA
T P2R0. 2 23 0 |2 0
V O| LV. O1L2. |2 0
NO.3

10

SEPA
T P2R0. 2 23 0 |2 0
V O| LV. O1L2. |2 0
NO.3

11

SEPA
T P2R0. 2 23 0 |2 0
V O| LV. O1L2. |2 0
NO.3

Call for Proposals - ICJLE 2024

JUNKO MORIGLOBAL NETWORK DIRECTOR

As we hope that many of you are alreadyaware, AATJ will co-host theInternational Conference on Japanese
Language Education (ICJLE 2024)
together with the Canadian Association
for Japanese Language Education(CAJLE). The conference will be held in
the beautiful capital city of Madison,
Wisconsin on August 1st-3rd, 2024.
Under the theme of “Exploring Issues of Diversity
and Expertise in Japanese Language Education,” wehope to bring educators and researchers fromaround the world and from different institutional
and academic backgrounds to explore various
current issues in the field.
Please check out the ICJLE 2024 conference website
https://go.wisc.edu/ICJLE2024 for exciting activities
planned during the conference, including three
keynote presentations, two symposiums, and threeworkshops.

Proposals are now being accepted for paper presentations, poster
presentations, and interactive workshops. Check Call for Proposals
on the conference website for full details.
The deadline for submission is OCTOBER 31st, 2023.
Anyone is eligible to submit. Graduate students are particularly
encouraged to apply. We are applying for grants to create
scholarships for graduate students and K-12 teachers.
Please note that AATJ will not hold its annual
spring conference in 2024. CAJLE will not holdits annual conference next summer, either.
So, please consider submitting your proposals
to ICJLE 2024!
We are looking forward to seeing many of you
in this hall for the opening ceremony andenjoying the beautiful sunset together at theterrace!

12

SEPA
T P2R0. 2 23 0 |2 0
V O| LV. O1L2. |2 0
NO.3

Students’ Return to Japan
Summer Trip Spotlight

ELIZABETH HOJO
NEWSLETTER DIRECTOR

With Japan lifting its travel restrictions in October 2022, many Japanese programs across America saw thelight at the end of the tunnel of COVID-restricted travel and could once again resume their summer tours
and exchange programs to Japan. Many high schools and universities began to plan their summer tours toJapan and looked forward to 2023, hoping the return to summer travels would rekindle the students’interests in Japanese language studies and culture.
This article looks at a sample of high schools around America that were fortunate to experience the returnto Japan post-pandemic during summer 2023. Most programs were able to go to Japan for roughly two
weeks and visit schools in Japan, with some schools having the opportunity to participate in a homestay.
Students were also able to travel to popular destinations like Tokyo, Kyoto, Nara, Osaka and Hiroshima, but
could also visit more remote areas like Aomori, Yamanashi and Miyagi prefecture for homestays. Let’s takea look at each schools’ experiences!
Elena Kamenetzky led students from Eastern High School, Lousiville, KY to participate in a homestay at
Hachinohe Institute of Technology Second High School in Aomori Prefecture. During the last day of her
students’ homestay, Hachinohe held their school’s sports festival. Her students were able to participate inmany events, including a big choreographed dance numbers. One of the seniors surprised everyone bydonning a head-to-toe gold bodysuit before joining the dance number! The idea was apparently hatched byhim and his host brother in cahoots, and the dance went off fantastically. All students had so much fun at
the sports festival, remarking how incredible the experience was.

13

SEPA
T P2R0. 2 23 0 |2 0
V O| LV. O1L2. |2 0
NO.3

Laura Moy of Eastview High School, Apple Valley, MN coordinated her homestay between three highschools: Mizusawa Daiichi High School in Iwate, Miyagi Prefectural Izumi High School in Sendai, andSeishu High School in Yamanashi. One of the most valuable experiences of traveling to Japan is staying
with the host families. Laura’s students noted that their favorite parts of the trip were interacting with theJapanese host families and students, with whom students experienced kindess like no other. They also wereable to experience cultural sessions like a tea ceremony in Kyoto, while also enjoying shopping! Thissummer was one of the hottest summers for Japan, and during one such day, her students took an 8 mile
hike to visit the temples of the 7 lucky gods in Yamanashi. With a high of around 92 degrees and 90%
humidity, the students sweat, hydrated and learned the true meaning of gambaru.
Karla Button took her students from Lockport
Township High School, IL to visit Yamate Gakuin of
Yokohama. Karla’s students particularly enjoyed theschool visit to Yamate Gakuin, where they had theopportunity to practice Kendo and Calligraphy.
During the touristy part of their trip, students wereable to catch breathtaking views of Himeji Castle and
Kegon Waterfall. Several students also remarked how
excited they were to have the chance to visit aJapanese street market!

14

SEPA
T P2R0. 2 23 0 |2 0
V O| LV. O1L2. |2 0
NO.3

Kumi Kobayashi of Los Gatos High School, CA,
continued the relationship between Sakuragaoka
High School of Tokyo for her students’ homestay.
Due to the strong bonds between the host school,
Los Gatos students were able to begin coordinatingwith their host families before departure, which leadto an exciting welcome meeting upon their arrival to
Japan. They experienced everyday life with theirfamilies, from eating home cooked meals, learning
Japanese home customs, taking public transportation
to and from school, sharing house chores to simply
getting to know each other through conversation.
Students attended Japanese school for three days
and participated in regular classes while also enjoying
specially planned activities like Japanese tea
ceremony and Shamisen class. Her schools’ dual
exchange program was featured in the San Jose
Mercury News, which you can read about here.

All students can attest to the value of Japanese
language programs and the great memories they
were able to build from their trips. The bonds thatwere formed so briefly, never really go away, andmany high schools’ departures from Japan were filledwith tears, smiles and hugs, the signs of closefriendships!
Many of us know that it can be quite a task to takearound 20 or so students overseas to then tour acrossthe country and homestay. We often have to holdvarious pre-departure meetings that explain Japanesecustoms and culture, and try our best to include
cultural aspects of Japan in our classrooms. But such
efforts truly make lasting impressions upon ourstudents, as we can see in the quotes below.

Gabby Brewer states that her trip to Japan was an “experience of a lifetime” for all students, while Quinn
Stanislawski highlights her gratitude to “experience it with the help of the school [and teacher]” Not only
are students able to create memories “with classmates” but Danny Altman recounts the sheer “enjoy[mentof] experiencing a very different culture.” Anthony Furman reflected over his experience that he valued theopportunity “to make friends and experience what life in [Japan] is like.” Roberto Valenciano, thinking of
the continuation of the amicable relationship between both countries had advice for future participants:“Speak as much Japanese as you can! You can always read and listen at home, but trying to speak withnative Japanese people is a very valuable and good learning opportunity.”
From this brief snapshot across Americanhigh schools, I believe we all can rest
assured that our extra efforts to bring Japanto our students by fostering relationships
with Japanese schools is highly valued. I
hope this report brings you renewed purposein your Japanese teaching career and fosters
continued relationships between yourstudents and your schools’ sister schools inJapan! Cheers to continued travels to Japanand raising cultural ambassadors!
15

SEPA
T P2R0. 2 23 0 |2 0
V O| LV. O1L2. |2 0
NO.3

Fall 2022 Bridging Scholarships Awarded

SUSAN SCHMIDTEXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Fifty-five undergraduate students from colleges and universities across the United States have been named recipientsof Bridging Scholarships for Study Abroad in Japan. The winners will receive awards ranging from $2,500 to $4,500 to
assist with their expenses while they study in Japan for a semester or an academic year beginning in Fall 2023. Since 1999,
more than two thousand scholarships have been awarded by the US-Japan Bridging Foundation(www.bridgingfoundation.org).
The goal of the Bridging Project is to promote study abroad in Japan by larger numbers of American undergraduate
students. AATJ administers the Bridging Scholars scholarship program.
The Bridging Scholars hail from a variety of schools–public and private, large universities and small colleges–in 22 states.
Their majors range from biochemistry to fine arts, but they share a common interest in Japan, its society, and its
language and culture. Their destinations also vary, from giant campuses in Tokyo to small colleges in rural Japan. A list of
the recipients, their schools, their destination programs, and their majors follows.
For information on the scholarships, visit the Bridging Project online at www.aatj.org/studyabroad/japan-bridgingscholarships. For information on the Bridging Foundation, visit www.bridgingfoundation.org.

Recipients of Bridging Scholarships for Study Abroad in Japan
Fall 2023 and Academic Year 2023-24
Austin ALCANCIA / Oberlin College / Doshisha University / East Asian studies; music performance;computer science
Maxwell BACHMANN / Willamette University / Tokyo International University / Japanese studies; studio art
Kassidy BROWN / Georgia State University / Osaka University / film & media; sociology
Angel BRYANT / Howard University / Osaka Gakuin (CET) / international affairs
Phoebe BUGGY / University of Toledo / Rikkyo University / political science
Lucy BURNHAM / University of Nevada, Reno / Rikkyo University Kwansei Gakuin (USAC) / molecular
microbiology; immunology
Nico CANO-KATSUNUMA / University of Kansas / Sophia University / anthropology
Benjamin CHAU / Thomas Jefferson University (PA) / Temple University, Japan Campus / international
business
Brandon CLASSEY / University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee / Nanzan University / global communications;Japanese
Nathaniel CORBIN / University of Memphis / Seikei University / world languages
Sunsariay COX / Portland State University / Kansai Gaidai University / Japanese
Isaiah CRAWFORD / Northwest Missouri State University/ Toyo University / international business
Liana DAVIS / University of Missouri, St. Louis / Kansai University / Japanese
Ren DE DIOS / Linfield College (OR) / Doshisha University / Japanese
Sarai DERAS / University of North Georgia / Nanzan University / East Asian studies
Kate DOTY / University of Denver / Akita International University / psychology; Japanese
Claire EDMONDS / Smith College / Associate Kyoto Program / East Asian languages & cultures
Kiyanna EDWARDS-POLK / Temple University (PA) / Temple University, Japan Campus / psychology
Mariah ENCINAS / University of California, Irvine / International Christian University / education
Elise FASHIMPAUR / Willamette University / Tokyo International University / data science; psychology;
Japanese
Nadav GERBER / Suffolk University (MA) / Kansai Gaidai University / global cultural studies
Ella GOULD / Ohio State University / Waseda University / international relations & diplomacy; Japanese
Gloria GUO / University of Southern California / Waseda University / international businessMichael HARRIS / University of Central Florida / Meiji Gakuin University / social science
Dylan JOACHIM / Washington & Jefferson College (PA) / Akita University / gender studies; communications
Emily JONES / West Chester University of Pennsylvania / Hosei University / anthropology
Caitlin JOSEPH / Bryn Mawr College (PA) / Temple University, Japan Campus / international studies
Jake KELLEY / Tulsa Community College (OK) / Temple University, Japan Campus / international affairs;
Japanese
Leila KNIGHT / Temple University (PA) / Temple University, Japan Campus / film & media arts
Jack KURLINSKI / University of Denver / Waseda University / molecular biology; Japanese
16

SEPA
T P2R0. 2 23 0 |2 0
V O| LV. O1L2. |2 0
NO.3

Jenna LINDSEY / Johnson County Community College (KS) / J.F. Oberlin University / graphic design
Anayla McCLENDON / Spelman College / Tsuda University / English
Elizabeth MIKEWORTH / Western Kentucky University / Kansai Gaidai University / international affairs; law;
ChineseKhoa NGUYEN / California State University, Fullerton / Okayama University / Japanese
Melanie ODEN / Grinnell College (IA) / Waseda University / sociology; JapaneseLeslie ORTIZ / University of Rhode Island / Okayama University / computer science; art; Japanese
Genevieve RICE / University of Michigan / Japan Center for Michigan Universities / Asian studies
Evan ROBERTSON / Mississippi State University / Akita International University / software engineering
Naomi SANCHEZ-NAVA / University of Wisconsin, Stevens Point / Dokkyo University / international studies
Amalia SANTOS / University of Florida / Kansai Gaidai University / Japanese
Benjamin SCHNEIDER / Carleton College (MN) / Associated Kyoto Program / chemistry
Madeleine SHARP / Miami University Ohio / Kansai Gaidai University / communication design; Japanese
Noé SHAW / Babson College (MA) / Waseda University / business administration
Torrence SMITH / University of Toledo (OH) / Rikkyo University / university studies
Clarissa SPITZLEY / University of Tennessee, Martin / Hiroshima Jogakuin University / mass media &communication
William TAUBER / University of Cincinnati / Nanzan University / psychology; Asan studies
Christian THOMAS / Hendrix University (AK) / Kwansei Gakuin University / philosophy; physics
Matthew TRANI / Hofstra University (NY) / Temple University, Japan Campus / music; Japanese
Kenae TURNER / Elizabeth City State University (NC) / Toyo University (CIS) / early childhood education
Ryann WATIKER / Ohio State University / Nanzan University / Japanese
Vivien WATSON / California State University, Chico / Kansai Gaidai University / multicultural & gender studies
Jyadon WILLIAMS / Eastern Michigan University / Kansai Gaidai University / international business;computer systems
Dontae WILSON / Albion College (MI) / Japan Center for Michigan Universities / psychology
Chad WREGE / Western Michigan University / Doshisha University / aerospace engineering; Japanese

CULTR Grands Awarded for
Fall 2023 Conference
Thanks to funding from CULTR (the Center for Urban Language Teaching and Research) at Georgia State
University, two AATJ members who are early in their careers and will be attending the AATJ Fall
Conference at ACTFL for the first time have been awarded grants to support their attendance at this year’s
conference in Chicago, November 17-19.
The awardees are Reina Horikawa (in 4th year of teaching), Jane Addams Junior HS, Schaumburg, IL, andNaomi Fujii (4th year of teaching), Utah State University. They will receive $450 to help with travel andregistration for the conference.
AATJ is grateful to CULTR for its support of this program. Read about CULTR and its projects online athttps://cultr.gsu.edu.
To see short videos from the recipients of CULTR grants to attend AATJ’s 2023 Spring Conference in
Boston, check out https://cultr.gsu.edu/conference-grants/.

17

18

SEPA
T P2R0. 2 23 0 |2 0
V O| LV. O1L2. |2 0
NO.3

AATJ Officers, Directors and Staff
Officers
President: Shingo Satsutani (College of DuPage, IL)
President Elect: Yoshiko Mori (Georgetown University, Washington, D.C.)
Immediate Past President: Tomoko Takami (University of Pennsylvania, PA)
Vice President: Mieko Avello (Miami Palmetto Senior High School, FL)

Directors
Global Network: Junko Mori (University of Wisconsin, Madison)
Newsletter: Elizabeth Hojo (The Woodlands College Park High School, TX)
Professional Development: Yoshiko Saito-Abbott (California State University, Monterey Bay)
Advocacy: Noriko Otsuka (Fox Mill Elementary School, VA), Junko Tokuda Simpson (University ofCalifornia, San Diego),
Diversity and Inclusion: Will Matsuzaki (All Saints Episcopal School, TX), Yasuko Takata Rallings(Wake Forest University, NC)
Student Activities (Nengajo Contest): Andy Scott (Kamehameha High School, HI)
Japanese National Honor Society: Yayoi Takeuchi (University of North Texas), Kumi Kobayashi(Los Gatos High School, CA)
National Japanese Exam: Tomomi Sato (University of Virginia)
Fall Conference (ACTFL-affiliated): Nobuaki Takahashi (Elizabethtown College, PA), Yuko Prefume(Baylor University, TX), Jaime Tateyama Gusman (Moanalua High School, HI)
Spring Conference (AAS-affiliated): Jae DiBello Takeuchi (Indiana University), Yoshihiro Mochizuki(University of Michigan), Shinsuke Tsuchiya (Brigham Young University, UT)

Staff
JLPT Assistant: Yoshie Arima
Membership Assistant: Maiko T. Bacha
JLPT Coordinator: Michiyo Colclasure
Executive Director: Susan Schmidt

19Share your Japanese Program news via social media!
Contact our social media director, Noriko Otsuka HERE!

American Association ofTeachers of Japanese, Inc.
Campus Box 366
University of Colorado
Boulder, CO 80309-0366