Contact Us

SEARCH

Site Map

2016 TEACHER TRAINING PROGRAMNOVEMBER, 2016: BREEZE ISSUE #109
A FREE MONTHLY E-NEWSLETTER FOR FRIENDS OF JAPAN & TEACHERS OFJAPANESE

2016 SHORT-TERM
TEACHER TRAINING
PROGRAMBY KRISTIN WINGATE
Cranford Public Schools
Cranford, NJ
My participation the Japan Foundation ShortTerm Teacher Training Program was an
unforgettable experience. Through our 8 week
program, I met 53 Japanese language teachers from 27 unique countries. In a short amount oftime, we became an international family that connected with one other through the country andculture that we love. Together, we were fortunate enough to partake in a variety of hands-on
experiences in the country we have all devoted our lives to studying.
Our summer program at the Japan Foundation focused on three main pillars: Japanese
language, Japanese teaching methodology, and Japanese culture. Our Japanese language
courses were geared toward perfecting our already strong linguistic abilities. Classes met
every day and focused on a variety of topics ranging from travel, the workplace, and thedifference in our own cultures compared to Japan. We strengthened our oratory skills throughindependent speeches and presentations, while constantly self-reflecting and reexamining ourwork.
As for Japanese culture, this was the most extensive of the three focal points at the JapanFoundation’s program. I was amazed at how many opportunities the staff and teachers at theJapan Foundation created for us to deepen our cultural knowledge. We were given the chance
to partake in a multitude of cultural workshops such as picture storytelling, calligraphy, tea
ceremony, and yukata fitting. The Japan Foundation arranged for our program to attend Privacya - Terms

kabuki play, as well as a day visit to a local school in our prefecture. We discussed a variety oftopics with both the high school students and teachers at Tokorozawa High School and viewed
student extra-curricular life. When I thanked our head program coordinator, Mrs. Haruko Arai,for planning our school visit, she informed me that last year’s summer program was unable toattend, so I felt especially fortunate to be able to go to Tokorozawa High School with this year’sparticipants.
One memory that truly stands out from the rest of the program is the homestay experience.
Although optional, I decided from the beginning of the application process that I would
absolutely participate. I think a unique and rare experience such as staying with a host family
is a very important one for a non-native speaker of Japanese. Even though it was only for one
weekend, I learned so much in terms of Japanese language and culture from my generous hostfamily. My host mother and host father and I chatted about the differences between Japan andthe US, discussed difficulties in Japanese and English linguistics, and ate the best homecooked Japanese cuisine together. In terms of homestays, this counts as my second as Istayed with a host family for one month in Kyoto. But each household and family brings theirown history and personal customs that help their guest better understand everyday Japaneseculture. Both separate but similar experiences have helped shaped me into the instructor I am
today.
Lastly, our Japanese teaching methodology
courses focused on honing our current
teaching experience and skills into a morecommunicative approach according to theJapan Foundation Standards. Our final project
entailed creating classroom activities or games
from what we learned during our coursework,
then showcasing our ideas via grouppresentations. Ultimately, we were to creatematerials that we could use once we returned
to our respective countries. After viewing mycolleagues’ presentations, I was not only able
to see different teaching styles and methods, but I have come back to my own school district
full of ideas for my own Japanese language classroom to help my own students in their
linguistic studies.
On the day of our closing ceremony at the Japan Foundation, we all gathered to celebrate ouraccomplishments in completing our program and to receive our certificates of completion. Atthe following farewell party, our Japan Foundation teachers and staff, host families, andJapanese program volunteers toasted to everyone’s hard work this summer and bid us safe
travels to our respective home countries. I watched in awe as our colleagues sang songs andperformed traditional dances from their homeland for entertainment for the banquet. IPrivacy - Terms

reflected on how much we can share with one another about our own cultures while studying acommon one. The realm of Japanese studies is small, and I can only hope to meet the friends I
have made here once again in the world.

Breeze #110Breeze #109

Japanese Langauge Education Update 362016 J-LEAP Report: Akiko Inagaki

2016 J-LEAP Report: Sakurako Hiroike2016 Short-Term Teacher Training Program: Kristin Wingate

2016 Short-Term Teacher Training Program: Madeleine Graham

2016 Japanese Language Program for Specialists: Lin Li2016 Japanese Language Program for Specialists: Samuel Timinsky

Breeze #108

Breeze #107

Breeze #106

Breeze #105

Breeze #104

Breeze #103

Breeze #102

Privacy - Terms

Breeze #101

Breeze #100Breeze #99

Headquarters

New York Office

ボランティア募集

Center for Global PartnershipJapan Related Links

Volunteer

Job Openings (Updated)

5700 Wilshire blvd, Suite 100
Los Angeles, CA 90036
P. 323.761.7510

Annual Report© 2019 The Japan Foundation, Los Angeles
Web Design.

Privacy - Terms