J-LEAP pairs Japanese Assistant Teachers (AT) with U.S. K-12 schools for a period of up totwo academic years. This program was created to address the need for increased dialogue
between Japanese and American youth, as stated during the 2010 Japan-U.S. Summit. The
goal of this program is to strengthen Japanese programs by providing a native speaking AT toteam teach with a Lead Teacher (LT) in their classes.
The program is funded by the Japan Foundation (JF) and jointly administered with Laurasian
Institution.

Benefits of applying as a Lead Teacher:

Matched with Assistant Teachers who are:

 Your students will be exposed to authentic
communication between you and the AT.
 The community gains an AT who can also engage
in cultural events and activities in the area.
 You will have the opportunity to receive a variety
of professional development training andsupport, as will your AT from our advisor membersof J-LEAP who are professionals in the field ofJapanese Language Education.
 Your AT’s compensation is fully covered by theJapan Foundation.

 Native Japanese speakers (holding Japanesecitizenship) who have completed their major or minor
in Japanese Language Education at the undergraduatelevel or higher, or who have equivalent experience.
 Passionate about working as ATs in the U.S. with theintention of continuing their teaching career.
 Willing to introduce Japanese culture at localcommunity events.
 Able to provide insight into the latest Japanese
lifestyle and cultural trends.
 Eager to Introduce new and fun ideas for yourclassroom.
 Holders of a valid international driver’s license.

Stipends and Financial Support: Assistant Teachers’ airfare, living stipend, housing stipend, vehicle purchase/insurance support, and health insurance
coverage will be provided. In addition, the Host Organization will receive funds for purchasing educational materials. All stipend support and funds will
be provided according to the Japan Foundation regulations.

J-LEAP Experiences
Lead Teacher
Ms. Kristin Wingate

Cranford High School
Cranford, NJ(Jul 2019– Jun 2021)

I can very confidently say that J-LEAP is the best program that aJapanese teacher could participate in. I am so honored to be partof such an outstanding network within our field. I applied,hoping that having a native assistant teacher in my classroom
would help keep our enrollment numbers high. For two fullacademic years, our students have two teachers to help them
practice, understand, and use as much Japanese as they canevery day, all while instilling culture directly into the classroom.
Teaching with Yokoyama-sensei has helped me stick to the 90%
Japanese target language mark. It is amazing to have someone
work with you every day and hold each other accountable.
Yokoyama-sensei was also adamant on teaching grammar as aconcept and we’ve seamlessly integrated this into our thematicunits. Overall, she’s been very focused on creating fun, engaginglessons for our classes with an immense amount ofcomprehensible input. Along with its extensive training, J-LEAP
has helped me become a much more effective language
instructor. I couldn’t be more grateful for this opportunity!

(Jul 2019 – Jun 2020)

奈央

Assistant Teacher
根岸明穂

Ms. Akiho Negishi

The J-LEAP Program has been, hands-down, the best professional
development of my 25 years of teaching. Co-teaching with Akihosensei showed my students and me how easy it is to stay in the target
language. We could model natural conversations daily, differentiate
for multi-level classes, and create much more engaging lessons withauthentic resources. With two teachers in the classroom, we had theenergy and motivation to plan and execute the extra lessons andevents that truly build a program. Our students virtually took part in
the Enthronement Ceremony of Emperor Naruhito, laughed alongside
Japanese comedian Naomi Watanabe, and discussed theenvironmental issues facing Alaska, Japan, and our world. We wererelevant. We were engaging. And yes, fun! Akiho-sensei’s ease withtechnology made the transition to online teaching during COVID-19
possible. I am also grateful for the national network of J-LEAP
teachers and mentors who continue to support me. They are family.
Becoming a part of J-LEAP is like winning the lottery! Apply – it is thebest gift you can give yourself.

Principal
Ms. Jay-R Kaawa横山

Ms. Nao Yokoyama

If you would like to teach Japanese more effectively, makeyour classes more fun, and get new and authentic ideas
and materials, the J-LEAP program is perfect for you.
Together with my lead teacher, Wingate-sensei, we areteaching students not only about Japanese language andtraditional culture but also contemporary pop culture andits aesthetics. Wingate-sensei always listens to myopinions and we share our thoughts to create fun,meaningful activities and skits for our classes. In addition,with the J-LEAP Program you will share a wonderfulcommunity with other highly motivated teachers from allover the U.S., as well as lots of reassuring support fromThe Japan Foundation and Laurasian Institution! Even thisyear during the pandemic, we cheer each other on andhelp each other out. We’re always finding better ways toteach. I appreciate all the support I've received. I've hadsuch a fulfilling and rewarding time in the U.S. on the JLEAP Program

Palmer High SchoolPalmer, AKLead Teacher
Ms. Carla SwickAssistant Teacher“Sore wa ii-koto!” This is how we start our class. It is wonderful torealize and share “good things” about yourself and your students. It
also feels amazing to share the joy of teaching Japanese with your coteacher on the J-LEAP Program! I have been lucky enough to workwith the Carla-sensei and the Japanese students at Palmer HighSchool. She is an open-minded, caring, and knowledgeable teacher,just as her International Baccalaureate background indicates. During
our time on J-LEAP, she and I have worked together every day
brainstorming, sharing ideas, creating meaningful activities, offering
authentic conversations, taking care of students, and smiling. How
are we able to do all that? It is all about making our students evenmore delighted. I am always surprised by how much we can engage
our students more effectively together through co-teaching. J-LEAP
can provide one of the best professional development experiences,
create powerful bonds with the Japanese teachers across the U.S.,
and deliver great cultural and language education for students.

Kamehameha Maui High SchoolPukalani, HI(Jul 2019 – Jun 2020)

J-LEAP was a perfect match for Kamehameha Schools Maui High School’s Japanese program. Because our Hawaiian
culture and language serve as the foundation for learning, our students understand and appreciate the opportunity
Stewartto engage and learn about other cultures—J-LEAP allowed this to take place at our school. Our AT—a native speaker,
created and presented authentic learning experiences, supported her lead teacher, all while strengthening theJapanese language development of our students. The professionalism and integrity demonstrated by our AT is to becommended.

J-LEAP Timeline
Selection Process
Sep: School application available
Nov: AT application available
Jan-Feb: Applicant selection
Feb-Mar: Interviews

First Year

Second Year

May: Online Training (LT)

Jul: In-service Training (LT&AT)

Pre-departure training (AT)

Jun-July: ATs return to Japan,

Jul: ATs arrive in U.S.

attend debriefing session

Arrival Training (LT&AT)

Apr: School & AT matching

Sep-Oct: Site visit by Laurasianstaff
Nov: Follow-up Training (AT)

Location of J-LEAP Teams Across the U.S.

* Y1=Year 1 (Academic Year 2011 - 2013), Y2=Year 2 (2012 - 2014), Y3=Year 3 (2013 - 2015), Y4=Year 4 (2014 - 2016), Y5=Year 5 (2015 - 2017)

Y6=Year 6 (2016 - 2018). Y7=Year 7 (2017 - 2019), Y8=Year 8 (2018 - 2020), Y9=Year 9 (2019 - 2021) , Y10=Year 10 (2021 - 2023)

For more information(Headquarters) The Japan Foundation
Japanese-Language Department Ⅰ
International Operations Section Ⅱ
1-6-4 Yotsuya, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-0004
TEL: +81-3-5369-6068 Email: jfkouza@jpf.go.jp(U.S. office) The Japan Foundation, Los Angeles
5700 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 100, Los Angeles, CA 90036
TEL: 323-761-7510 (Ext: 105) Email: jflajleap@jflalc.org

Laurasian Institution
107 Spring St. Seattle WA 98104
TEL: 800-721-7474 Email: jleap@laurasian.org
Web: https://www.laurasian.org/j-leap

For more information: https://www.jflalc.org/jle-j-leap

J-LEAP は、意欲のある若手日本語教員を米国の初中等教育機関に最長 2 年間派遣する事業です。若手日本語教員（アシスタントティーチャー（AT））と米国の教員（リードティーチャー（LT））が一緒にチームティーチングを行うことで、現地校での日本語の授業を更に盛り上げ、日本語プログラムを強化することを目的としています。この事業は、2010 年の日米首脳会談で 合意された日米の文化・人物交流、及び米国内の日本語教育支援強化のために立ち上げられたもので、国際交流基金とローラシアン協会の共催で行っています。
リードティーチャー（LT）に応募するメリット：

若手日本語教員（AT）はこんな方： 授業中のＬＴとＡＴとの会話により、生徒が日常的に生きた日本語のコミュニケーションに触れることができる。
 ＡＴが、学校外での地域イベント等 にも参加し、コミュニティにおける日本語や日本に対する認知度が上がる。
 ＡＴと共に日本語教育の専門家による研修とサポートを受けることで、ＬＴ自身のスキルアップにつながる。
 AT 受入にかかる諸費用は国際交流基金が全て補助します。

 日本語が母語（日本国籍保有者）で、大学または大学院で日本語教育を主専攻・副専攻として修了、日本語教育能力検定試験に合格、または日本語教育養成講座（４２０時間）を修了している。
 米国の日本語教育の現場でのアシスタント経験を通して、日本語教師になる意欲がある。
 最新情報を含む日本の文化を米国の人たちに紹介する熱意があり、新しくて楽しいアイディアを提案できる。
 普通自動車免許を保持し、米国での運転に困らない。

待遇：AT の渡航費、基本生活費、住居経費、自動車購入補助費、自動車保険補助費、海外旅行保険費等を規定に基づき支給いたします。その他、受入機関に対しては、規定額の教材購入補助費を支給いたします。