Merienda!

No. 26 June 2016

The Japan Foundation, Manila Nihongo Teachers’ Newsletter

Inauguration ceremony of the JFM at The Peninsula Manila (June 1996)

Early years of the JFM (June 1998)

CONVERSATION “Yes, I have aged… indeed, it has been 20 years”

T

THIS ISSUE’S MENU
What’s Inside

2-3

Merienda Espesyal 1
The 23rd Philippine
Nihongo Teachers’ Forum
Nihongo Fiesta

4-5

Merienda Espesyal 2
From the Nihongo Partners
JFM Teacher Training
JPEPA
Merienda’s Pick
JLE for Philippine
High Schools
Merienda Espesyal 3
Yatte mimasen ka?
Magkape Muna Tayo
Hello & Goodbye
Urawa Update
JF Grantees for Nihongo
Teachers FY 2016-2017
Sapin-sapin
Sensei no Wa
Oshaberi Salon
2015 Fukuoka Japanese
Language Program
Banana Q
Glossary for the Serious
Nihongo Teachers
JFM Library Acquisitions

6-7
8
9
10
11

– Mrs. C.E.J. Aquino

he Japan Foundation (JF), which was established in 1972, is the cultural arm of theJapanese government in charge of international cultural exchange. It subsequently
became an independent administrative institution in 2003. The Manila office wasestablished in 1996 as the 18th overseas office of the JF.
2016 marks the 60th year of Philippines-Japan Friendship and the 20th anniversaryof The Japan Foundation, Manila (JFM). Throughout the years of the JFM promoting
cultural exchange between Japan and the Philippines, it has undergone many changes;
some of which are the location of the office, Filipino & Japanese staff, and creationof new programs/projects/events. Amidst all these changes, one essential element
remained constant in the person of Mrs. Cecilia E. J. Aquino.
In view thereof, the Merienda Team requested for a cozy chat with the “Mother of
JFM” – an epitome of female power balancing the stern supervision and guidance of afather with a dash of care from a loving mother.

Mrs. Cecilia E. J. Aquino, Senior Program Officer, The Japan Foundation, Manila
MERIENDA TEAM (MT): When and how did you
start working at the JFM?
CECILIA E.J. AQUINO (CEJA): I took up International
Studies (Asian Track) in college where I had Nihongoclasses for several semesters.
After graduation, I worked as a cultural assistantat the Embassy of Japan (Japan Information andCultural Center/JICC) for about 20 years – in charge ofthe library and the Nihongo Gakko.
In 1996, the year before the Embassy of Japantransferred to the current location in Roxas Boulevard(Pasay City), I started working at the JFM.
(MT): What is your role at the JFM? Could you(CEJA): For the past several years, I have been
designated as Senior Program Officer at the JFM. I am
mainly in charge of Japanese Language Education
and Administration, and I still assist in programs on
Japanese Studies. I work on grant programs andorganize/coordinate projects with local counterpart
organizations and academic institutions such as
the University of the Philippines, Ateneo de Manila
University, De La Salle University and Mindanao
Kokusai Daigaku among others.
Aside from these regular office tasks, I am

involved in activities and projects such as the
Nihongo Fiesta, in coordination with the entire
office staff.
Throughout the years, the JFM has been
conducting seminars, workshops, the Course on
Japanese for High School Teachers, the Japanese
Speakers’ Forum, the Japanese Language
Proficiency Test (JLPT), and so on. The JLPT, whichstarted out with a few hundred examinees in
1996, is a testament of how Japanese Language
Education has flourished in the Philippines within
the last two decades. Now, there are about 5,000
examinees nationwide with 3 test sites – Manila,
Cebu City and Davao City.
The Manila office has become bigger ascompared to when it just started. There are about
30 of us who work at the office on a regular basis,
and a few part-time staff would also be there fromtime to time. It is neither glamorous nor trendy towork in, but I like the “internationalized” working
environment – doing the job together with both
Japanese and Filipinos, and on some occasions,even with other foreigners. It is somehow adaily dose of cultural exchange – an immersion
program. I enjoy the cultural involvement –knowledge transmission and shared labor on
various activities thereby strengthening ties.
CONTINUED ON PAGE 4

THE 23RD PHILIPPINE NIHONGOTEACHERS’ FORUM
May 21, 2016

“My view of the role of Social Mediain Japanese Language Teaching”

The 23rd Philippine Nihongo Teachers’ Forum, entitled “My view of the role of Social Media in Japanese Language
Teaching”, was held at the JICA Philippines Office Auditorium on Saturday, May 21, 2016, with more than 40 participants.
The speaker, Professor Richard Harrison (Kobe University Center for International Education, Graduate School of
Humanities), conducted a lecture-workshop wherein the participants were able to learn how to use social media whenstudying the Japanese language.

PROGRAM
AM

Lecture: Impact of Social Media on Teaching
Japanese as a Foreign Language
Professor Richard Harrison
Kobe University Center for International Education
Graduate School of Humanities

PM

Workshop: Social Media Tools
for Teaching and Learning JFL
EPA: Recruiting Japanese-language Instructors
for the JPEPA program
Hail and Farewell Messages
Announcements

3

Merienda!

ESPESYAL 1

2016

T

he last weekend of the love monthwitnessed the Japan Foundation,
Manila (JFM) at the forefront ofcelebrating Japanese language, arts andculture through the Nihongo Fiesta 2016
held on February 27 at the Shangri-La
Plaza Mall.
The Nihongo Fiesta 2016 consisted ofevents such as the 43rd Nihongo SpeechContest, which gathered students andprofessionals nationwide. Out of 11 finalists, aspeech entitled “My Body Size is 100, 90, 110”by Princess Meg Y. Perez (Mindanao Kokusai
Daigaku) won grand prize (sai-yuushuushou),earning her an all-expense-paid study tourin Japan and prizes from the sponsors.
Together with her on the said study tour is
the Outstanding Performance Awardee – Ms.
Joyce Hyacinth L. Pacaldo (Mindanao Kokusai
Daigaku). (Please refer to the list for the complete
list of winners)
The 8th Nihongo Quiz Bee for HighSchool Students likewise drew competing
schools from NCR and other regions fora brain battle on Japanese language
and culture. Valenzuela City School ofMathematics and Science bested 19 otherschools. Securing the school’s first Grand
Championship proved to be challenging forthe team, as there was a tight competitionand small point margin between them andfirst runner-up – Marikina Science HighSchool. Florentino Torres High School wasnamed second runner-up.
Audiences were also treated to thefull-house screening of the acclaimed
film Sarusaberi: Miss Hokusai at the Shang
Cineplex Cinema 1, as well as to theentertaining number by the local up-andcoming girl group KAWAII 5, the group
who sang the theme song of the localized
Japanese drama, Amachan, of TV5.
To cap off the event, Japanese
Pop (J-Pop) artists straight from Japan,
Diana Garnet and Joe Inoue, with special
participation of THE BEATMOTORS,
recounted the challenges and joys of

43rd Nihongo SpeechContest Grand Champion,
Ms. Princess Meg Y. Perez
Kawaii5 LIVE!

Final Round of the 8th Nihongo Quiz Beefor High School Students

43rd Nihongo SpeechContest Winners
STUDENT DIVISION
1st Place & Outstanding
Performance Award:
Ms. Joyce Hyacinth L. Pacaldo(Mindanao Kokusai Daigaku)Interview with Diana Garnet and Joe Inoue

2nd Place:
Ms. Mycha Marie P. Yanoyan(Mindanao Kokusai Daigaku)
NO STUDENT DIVISION
1st Place:
Ms. Mara Carmela R. Alonzo(Alpha Philippine Institute)

Audience lining up outside Shang Cineplex Cinema 1 for the
Anime Screening

learning Nihongo outside Japan in an interview before
they enchanted the crowd with a live performance of
their hits and popular anime songs as a teaser to theirconcert on the following day “Spinning Manila: J-Pop
Live!” at the Whitespace Manila.

OPEN DIVISION
1st Place & Champion:
Ms. Princess Meg Y. Perez(Mindanao Kokusai Daigaku)
2nd Place & Special Jury Award:
Ms. Camille Valerie S. Torre(Nihongo Center Foundation)

4

FROM THE NIHONGO PARTNERS

The “NIHONGO Partners” Program endeavors to support local
Japanese-language teachers and students by dispatching Japanesenationals predominantly to secondary education institutions in the 10
ASEAN countries.

BATCH 3: July 2016 – March 2017 (9 months)
 PANGASINAN
Akiko Usui (Juan G. Macaraeg National High School)
フィリピンの方々に日本の魅力を伝えられるよう、自分らしく頑張
りたいと思います。よろしくお願いします。
Aki Tahara (Mangaldan National High School)
こんにちは。フィリピンの先生方と活動できるのが楽しみです。
派遣予定の地方は海がきれいなところと聞いているので、今から派遣を心待ちにしています。よろしくお願い致します。
 MANILA
Chiharu Takehara (University of the Philippines - Diliman)
私はフィリピンが大好きなので、フィリピンの生活を楽しみながら頑張っていきたいと思います。よろしくお願いします。
Keiko Watanabe (Main: Sauyo High School; Sub: Carlos L. AlbertHigh School)
みなさんと一緒に、楽しい学びの時間を過ごせたらと思います。
精一杯がんばります。どうぞよろしくおねがいします。
Ayako Tomihara (Main: Manila Science High School; Sub: Philippine
Normal University Laboratory School)
楽しく日本語が勉強できるように、精一杯頑張ります。よろしくお願いします。
Shoko Takahashi (Main: Quezon City High School: Sub:
Marikina Science High School)
フィリピンの人たちに、日本語と日本の良さをたくさん知ってもらえるようにがんばります。みなさんに会えるのがとてもたのしみです。よろしくおねがいします。

FROM PAGE 1 ...conversation(MT): Given that you have been working
with Japanese people for a few decades
now, what is your impression of theJapanese?
(CEJA): What stands out when I refer to theJapanese is courtesy. In my experience, they
are polite and professional in their dealings.
Generally, I think the Japanese are disciplined
and hard working. Promptness is one of thetraits that I admire and have tried to practice.
Another characteristic that I haveobserved is not saying “NO” in a straightforward manner. I understand that “YES” isoften heard, but “NO” or something negative is
supposed to be understood, in most cases.
I value the desirable traits that I learned
from the Japanese and it certainly is a

Gallery walk fronting the JFM classrooms (May 2012)

 CEBU
Nao Yoshimoto (Buanoy National High School)
新しいことにどんどんチャレンジし、笑顔でがんばりたいと思います。
よろしくおねがいします。
Rina Yamaguchi (Don Carlos A. Gothong Memorial National High School)
日本の伝統やポップカルチャーをたくさん紹介したいと思います！
一緒に楽しみながら学習しましょう！
 CAGAYAN DE ORO
Yui Akamine (Capitol University)
人生初のフィリピン、とても楽しみにしていました。笑顔いっぱいでがんばりますので、よろしくおねがいします！
 DAVAO
Satomi Tatsumi (Davao City National High School)
フィリピンのみなさんとの交流を楽しみにしております。日本のことをわかりやすく紹介できるように頑張ります。
Kanae Itoh (Philippine Nikkei Jin Kai International School)
フィリピンに行くのははじめてなので、文化の交流や、皆さんにお会いできることを楽しみにしています。精一杯頑張ります。
宜しくお願いします。

pleasure and an honor doing work in a foreignorganization.
(MT): What can you say about the“former” bosses and the current ones?
(CEJA): The 1st Director and Assistant Director– Mr. Oshida and Mr. Kojima contributed
much to the stable establishment of the JFM.
We would not be here today if not for them.
The succeeding Director focused on
the image of the JFM, and the Assistant
Director then and now is the jolly good
fellow.
After him was a considerate Director who
gave credit where credit is due.
Then came a Director who wasenergetic and smart. He initiated a lotof programs. He gave me the positionof Senior Program Officer… with noJFM Library (May 2012)

specifications. He just said “whateveris asked of you”, so he was really smart.
(laughs); with him was an efficient Assistant
Director.
After them came the next Assistant
Director – the Philippine specialist – who washere for 7 years with the Director who was a
Japanese gentleman.
Then now, we have Mr. Uesugi (Director)
with two Assistant Directors – both ofpleasant personalities; both of them arrived
fairly recently.
As a closing remark, Mrs. Aquino left theteam with her view of the past 20 years with
JFM: “20 years…? No regrets – for me, what
could be better than to be working with anorganization that adheres to goodwill throughcultural exchange – mutual understanding andappreciation?”

JFM Reception Desk (May 2012)5

Merienda!

ESPESYAL 2
JFM Teacher Training
PRACTICE TEACHINGCOURSE IN MANILA
March 19-20, 2016

Very usefuland easy tocomprehend

I enjoyed the course a lot.
It was a nice introduction for meon what it s”’ like to teachthe Japanese language.
2016 BAGUIO TEACHINGTECHNIQUES SEMINAR
April 23-24, 2016

I learned and gained
new techniques
and ideas.

Excellent! T hank you so muchfor all the knowledge that you
imparted to us. It’s so usefuland very relevant and educative.

UPPER-INTERMEDIATE JAPANESEFOR NIHONGO TEACHERS 2
February 17, 2016 – April 6, 2016

Well-presented and very
easy to understand.
It has been a good chancefor us to improve.

Great! T he teaching techniques
were very helpful. Plus, its’ a good
way to review for the JLP T.
The 8th batch of EPA based Filipino N

November 2015 – May 2016

The Preparatory Japanese-Language Training for the Filipino Candidates of Nurses and Certified Care Workers under the JapanPhilippines Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) is held annually.
The training for the 8th batch ended on May 20 and a total of 335 candidates were able to successfully complete it.
The Japan Foundation, Manila is recruiting Filipino Japanese-Language Lecturers for the next batch. For inquiries, please contact us byemail (epa.ph.2016@gmail.com).

Presentation of comparisons between the Philippines and Japan

Closing Ceremony at TESDA6JLE FOR PHILIPPINE HIGH SCHOOLSCJH Update

The enTree 1 Course (E1), being
participated in by the 4th batch of CJH
teachers, started in April 2016. The Followthrough Training Sessions will be held
once a month at both Manila and Cebu.
The 2-month Counterpart Training inJapan started on May 31, 2016. The
participants attended pre-training
sessions in Manila from April to May
2016, and the Follow-through Training
Sessions will be held 7 times in Manila
upon their return.
OTHER

RELATED ACTIVITIESCJH Pedagogy Seminar:
August 6 & December 10, 2016
Japanese Speakers’ Forum inJapan: August 22 – September 3(Teachers’ program), August 22 –August 31 (Students’ program)
Japanese Speakers’ Forum
Philippines: January 25 – 27, 2017
(tentative)
Nihongo Quiz bee: February 25,2017 (tentative)*CJH: Course on Japan for High School
Classroom Instruction; Teacher Training
Program for Public High School Teachers
under the Special Program in Foreign
Language: Japanese of DepED-BSE

JSFP field interview with Typhoon Ondoy survivor

JSFP infomercial and action plan making

JSFP message from Senpai

JSFP group photo with the judges of the infomercial and action plan contest“ACT ITSUMO- Pass It On,
Pay It Forward!”To reach a wider audience in raising awareness on
disaster mitigation, to pass on the knowledge learned
from disaster mitigation, experts as well as from survivors,
and to be able to pay forward the favor received frombeing allowed to gain knowledge on disaster mitigation,and to hear and get a glimpse of the experiences of the
Typhoon Ondoy and Super Typhoon Yolanda survivors
were the 3-fold aims of the 2016 Japanese Speakers’ Forum
Philippines (JSFP) held on January 20, 21 and 22.
On its 3rd year of working on the theme 「防災」
(ぼうさい) or “disaster mitigation”, this national forum
for high school students and teachers of the JapanFoundation, Manila and Kamenori Foundation, in
cooperation with the Marikina City Disaster Risk
Reduction and Management Office (MCDRRMO) wasagain held at the Marikina Hotel and Convention Center.
This year’s forum was participated in by 32 students and
17 teachers from 17 Special Program in Foreign Language:
Japanese implementers.
In the Students’ Program, the students were groupedand for 3 days, they collaborated to make an infomercial
and an action plan to disseminate awareness on disastermitigation based on the “disaster mitigation” lectures of
Mr. Tristan Nodalo, CNN Philippines, Mr. Mr. Anthony B.
Abustan, MSc. PH, RN, MCDRRMO, on the “disaster mitigation” related Nihongo expressionof the JSFP Core Group Teachers and on the field research conducted during the forum. On
the other hand, in the Teachers’ Program, the teachers were also grouped and then asked
to observe the students’ activities, to discuss on how to integrate the teaching of 21stCentury Skills into Nihongo classes and to make a poster of their suggested plans on 21stCentury Skills integration.
What made the forum special were 3 additional features. First was the lecture fromthe students’ senpais, or the 2015 JSFP participants who came to give suggestions on the“Do’s and Don’ts” during a field interview. Second was the participation of the 6 Core Nihongo
teachers from Malaysia and their Program Officer from Japan Foundation, Kuala Lumpur, Mr.
Edward Lee. They joined the Teachers’ Program and introduced Malaysian traditional games
as well. This gave the participants many opportunities to listen and converse in Nihongo. The
Malaysian Core Teachers also joined the Filipino Core Teachers in a Mini-Forum where theyexchanged action researches and ideas for collaborative projects beyond the classroom. Third
was the visit of Ms. Hiroko Nishida, Director of Kamenori Foundation. She came to observe
the forum and gave a short but motivational speech to the forum participants.
The forum ended with new friendships formed and new knowledge and experiences
gained. It is hoped that this end is just the beginning, and may the touching infomercials
and creative action plans of the students and the brilliant 21st century teaching ideas of
the teachers reach as many as audience as possible, so we can pay forward the previous
experience gained from this forum.

CJH Instructor Trainees Make Their Debut!
Mr. Joselito B. Bisenio and Mr. Eduardo B. Tan, both products of the CJH Instructor Training, took on the challenge to teach the recently concluded CJH Batch 4 Summer Intensive
Training. Both of them will further enhance their Nihongo skills through the two-month Asia Center Nihongo Partners’ Counterpart Training in Japan from May 31 to July 28, 2016.

W

M

hen I attended the first Course on Japan for High School Classroom
Instruction (CJH) Training in 2009, I told myself that I have to make thebest out of this opportunity given to me because not everyone is given theprivilege to explore new horizons and discoveries out of one’s comfort zone.
I made a promise to become the best Nihongo teacher that I can be, andtrue to that promise, I welcomed all opportunities to grow and to develop
my Japanese language skills and Nihongo teaching strategies. I attended
all programs and projects of the Japan Foundation, Manila which I thought
could help me do so. I was even willing to spend my own money to enrol insome Nihongo classes outside JFM. That is why when I was invited to attend
the instructor training for the new batch of public high school Japanese
language teachers (CJH Batch 4) under the Special Program in Foreign
Language: Japanese of the Department of Education (DepEd), without
much thinking, I immediately grabbed the chance to share my knowledge,
services, and effort to other teachers who wish to teach Nihongo in theirrespective schools. This is my simple way of giving back to the JFM andthe DepEd for believing in the public school teachers, and to the Filipino
students who wish to broaden their linguistic capabilities.
I was never wrong in my decision
to accept the new challenge in myteaching career. I found myself enjoying
every meeting with the new batch of CJH
teachers. At the end of every day, although
I felt tired from the tension of teachingteachers, I also felt the satisfaction and selffulfillment upon seeing “our students” learnsomething new and upon hearing theirplans of action the moment they go back totheir schools and start teaching Nihongo.
Having seen the performances of the
new CJH teachers during this year’s five-week summer training, I can saythat we have a promising set of Nihongo teachers. I am proud of them andI can’t help feeling happy that somehow I was part of their growth. I hopethat they will continue to burn the flame of enthusiasm and determination
to teach Nihongo to their respective students. Besides, teaching Nihongo
is not only teaching about Japan; it is more of teaching the students
to appreciate more of their own roots, of themselves being Filipinos. I
hope that their number will remain the same in next year’s CJH, in theirimmersion program in Japan the following year, and even beyond.

y Nihongo journey as a Japanese language teacher started in2009. Since then, my passion to learn Nihongo, as well as theJapanese culture, grew even more. From 2009 to 2013 I have trained
under the Course of Japanfor High School Instruction(CJH), a joint program of theJapan Foundation, Manila
and the Bureau of Secondary
Education, Department of
Education (DepEd/BSE) for
Special Program in Foreign
Language: Japanese (SPFL:
Japanese) high school
implementers. For four years,
I spent my whole summer
and some Saturdays of eachschool year to learn Nihongo
and foreign language teaching methodologies. After the four longyears, the Japan Foundation, Manila started offering courses on purely
Nihongo courses and I attended those as well.
It`s been almost 7 years now but the zeal to learn the language
has never waned. No matter how many years I have studied Nihongo,
my proficiency in the language is still not at par with that of the other
Nihongo teachers. Most of the time, I usually introduce myself only as a
Foreign Language (Japanese) implementer. I oftentimes add Watashi wa
Nihongo de sukoshi hanasemasu. Sukoshi wakarimasu….(I could only speak
and understand a little Japanese) during self-introduction.
Thus, to augment my inabilities in the Japanese language, I
also enrolled in different schools offering Japanese (modular). I evenchallenged myself to take the JLPT. I am proud that I was able to pass N4
last December 2015.
The Two-Month Intensive Training Program in Japan for Counterpart
Teachers of the Asia Center Nihongo Partners from the Philippines (JuneJuly 2016), on which I am part of, will be an opportune time for me andother trainees to improve our Nihongo skills and to immerse ourselves
deeply to Japanese culture. I would like to take the most from this training
to be a better and more proficient Nihongo teacher and at the same time
be confident enough to take and pass N3 or N2.
Nihon de no kenshuu o ganbarimasu!

Joselito B. Bisenio (Makati Science High School)

Eduardo B. Tan (Florentino Torres High School)

H.S. Nihongojin

This corner aims to introduce high school students who are studying
Nihongo. Let’s expand our Nihongojin* network

HIGH SCHOOL NIHONGOJIN 21
Student name: Patrick James D. Acacio
Year and Section: Grade 8 - Hawkings
Suki na koto: manga o miru, crochet o suru
My greatest desire is to visit Japan and be able tospeak their language. I’m happy for this wonderful
opportunity.
Through my Nihongo lessons, I learned
how to introduce myself in Nihongo, read
and write Hiragana characters. Although
it took me a hard time in studying thecharacters, due to patience and hard labor,
now I can read some Hiragana words andable to write them.
I believe studying the Japanese
language will open a new door of new
possibilities and various opportunities in the future
for me, such as preparing me to work in one of thereputable Japanese companies.
School: Captain Albert Aguilar National High School, Las Piñas
Principal: Mr. Ricardo B. De Los Santos
Teacher: Mrs. Jocelyn Abesamis-Caingcoy

HIGH SCHOOL NIHONGOJIN 22
Student name: Renz Kayle R. Arayan
Year and Section: Grade 8 - Ichigo
Suki na koto: internet o suru, anime to eiga o miru, benkyou o suru, dance o suru
I fell in love with Japan when I was still in elementary and ever since then I
got interested in it. After I graduated, I joined the Special Program in
Foreign Language: Japanese (SPFL: Japanese) in high school and becamea Nihongojin. I joined with a thought in mind that this can be a solid
foundation for my future.
I participated in different activities in the National Festival of Talents.
The exposure helped me a lot in improving my Nihongo and Communication
Skills. Consequently, I gained and inspired new friends.
The best session that we’ve discussed was all about“Tara salbahon ta ang suba sa Bangkerohan” where I had thechance to contribute a solution to an existing problem in ourcommunity.
Being in the SPFL, I already have the edge, this edge will
surely bring me to the pedestal of success.
School:Davao City National High School, F. Torres St.,
Davao City
Principal: Wenefredo E. Cagape, Ed.D, Ph.D
Teachers: Mr. Roberto C. Binag and Ms. Christine Joy C. Cabahug*Nihongojin is a term coined from the words ‘Nihongo’ and ‘jin’, which mean ‘Japanese Language’ and ‘person’, thereby giving it meaning “people who are involved in Japanese Language, both nativeand non-native, regardless of their level of proficiency.” The concept was created to give learners a sense of belonging to a growing international community of Japanese speakers all over the world.

8

Merienda!

ESPESYAL 3

YATTE MIMASEN KA?
“HOW TO DEVELOP DOKKAI/SKILL FOR BEGINNERS

By Akiko Ishikawa
What kind of skill is required for/dokkai (reading comprehension) ? Not only vocabularies/kanji, you had also better focus on scanning, skimming, memorizing and so on. Despite
andbeing in the beginner level, you can practice and improve them through a game-like-training
activity.
Activity #1:“Quickly running one’s eyes over a text” (for beginners)
The right contains numbers 1 to 34. Locate each number in ascending order. You have 30 seconds.
Through this activity, one may realize that reading speed decreases when one reads word per
word. Thus, it helps you broaden your sight, and extract information. This is a kind of warm up
exercise to improve the scanning skill.
Activity #2:“Identifying the topic” (from N5 learners ) Try to come up withthe common theme or topic for the words in each word-group. <10sec each>common topic… profession /The answer key is at the bottom of the page.
!

!
common topic…

You would actually need someJapanese vocabularies to do theactivity, but the more important
thing is to recall the exact wordin Japanese as soon as possible.
You had better focus not only on
increasing your vocabulary, but also
on classifying similar words into
groups whenever you learn a newword.

common topic…
Activity #3:“Category game: What doesn’t belong?” (from N5 learners )In each box, there is a word which does not belong. Find the said word <30 seconds each>(The others are belonging to the cloth pattern.)
The answer key is at the bottom of the page.

!
the answer…
!
the answer…

, The Japan Times!
!

<Answer><Website recommendation for Japanese reading comprehension>
NHK NEWS WEB EASY http://www3.nhk.or.jp/news/easy/…You can read and listen to common news in easy Japanese. It also contains vocabulary translation.
MATCHAWeb
http://mcha-easy.com/ …
…You can enjoy current information about travel in Japan with photos. It has 2 types of language levels.
Hiragana Times Magazine http://www.hiraganatimes.com/ja…You may get a short article about Japan regularly if you follow the Hiragana Times Magazine
Facebook page.
http://cookpad.com/…It is one of the most famous cooking websites among Japanese women.
If you like cooking, you can do it reading recipes written in Japanese.
http://www.sokudoku.org/!

<More information on this topic>
Japan Foundation ,2006,”, 1998, “Rapid Reading Japanese

In reality, continuous effort is as
important as the other skills. In orderto keep one’s interest in dokkai/, you may use various resourceson the web, such as following
Japanese Facebook pages, using
Japanese cooking websites inJapanese, and so on. “Rome was not
built in a day.”!

the answer…

More time is required to do
Activity #3 than #2, because youneed to check and compare thewords repeatedly. It helps you run
your eyes quickly, organize yourvocabularies, and classify the words
when reading.

9Magkape Muna Tayo
MAMORU MORITA

TARO NARITOMI

はじめまして、森田衛（もりたまもる）です。4月20日にマニラに来ました。職場や街の中で出会う人々の笑顔、そしてフィリピン料理や果物のおいしさに感動しています。
フィリピンの高校生が楽しく日本語が学べるように、
JFMのスタッフと一緒にがんばります。
どうぞよろしくお願いします。

はじめまして！成冨太朗（なりとみ たろう）です。
2016年2月からフィリピンで働いています。
フィリピンの人たちの笑顔や楽しそうに歌っている姿を見るとうれしくなります。
どうぞよろしくおねがいします！

SAYAKA MIYAZAWAYOSHIKO MOROKUMA

はじめまして。宮澤清香（みやざわ さやか）です。
4月から日本語パートナーズ事業を担当させていただ
きます。フィリピンのみなさんのいつも明るく元気な姿が大好きです。みなさんの日本語学習がより楽しく
充実したものになるよう、精一杯がんばりますので、どうぞよろしくお願いいたします。

こんにちは、諸隈良子（もろくま よしこ）です。2014年
10月から2015年5月までJPEPA Batch7で日本語を教えました。2016年3月に、またフィリピンへ来ることができました。とてもうれしいです。たくさんのフィリピンの人に会いたいです。どうぞよろしくおねがいします。

TOMOKO KUROIWA

SANAE NAKATSUKA

フィリピンでの1年半は本当に楽しかったです。
みなさん、どうもありがとうございました。
またいつかどこかでお会いしましょう！

フィリピンでの2年間、たくさんの先生や学生に会えて、本当に楽しかったです。 これから日本の子ども達にフィリピンのことをシェアしていきたいです。
ありがとうございました。また、いつかどこかで会いましょう ☺

TATSUYA NAKAGOME

MIKI MORI

みなさん、三年間大変お世話になりました。みなさん
一人一人のご活躍、そしてフィリピン日本語教育のますますの発展をお祈りいたします。八月から関西
国際センターに戻りますので、また大阪でお会いしま
しょう！どうもありがとうございました。

みなさん、今まで大変お世話になりました。
3年前にフィリピンへ来たのが昨日のことのように思えます。 フィリピンの人はいつも明るくて、辛いことも笑顔で吹き飛ばして頑張っていますね。 みなさんのおかげで楽しい時間が過ごせました。こんな芸もできるようになりました！ みなさん、どうもありがとうございました！

The Japan Foundation
Granteesfor Nihongo Teachers(FY 2016-2017)

URAWA
UpdateThe program is designed to provide teachers of theJapanese-language overseas an opportunity to improvetheir Japanese language skills and teaching methodology
and to deepen their knowledge of Japan. It is being
conducted at The Japan Foundation Japanese- Language
Institute in Urawa, Saitama, Japan.

Long Term Training Programfor Foreign Teachers of the Japanese Language(September 6, 2016 – March 2, 2017)
Ms. Chiara Marie Caballero
Mindanao Kokusai Daigaku, Davao
Ms. Marie Cielo Sales
Miriam College - Middle School Dept.
Short Term Training Programfor Foreign Teachers of the Japanese Language
Winter Course (January 17, 2017 –March 9, 2017)
Ms. Marilou Ubiña
Philippine Normal University- Institute of Teaching and Learning

Carlos Luis Santos
Handkerchief dyeing Yuzen-zome style in Kyoto.

Cristopher D
Me, with a Kitsune Hat, posing with Simona, my friend from Lithuania in Fushimi-Inari Shrine.

10

Sapin-sapin
先生の輪は、日本語教師の交流の場です。もっと楽しく、もっとおもしろく一緒に
日本語教育を勉強しましょう！

“Sensei no Wa” is open to both experienced and neophyte Japanese-language teachers, and offers a platform for information exchangewith one’s peers. It is for the further encouragement of Japanese Language Education and aims to support professional enrichment andnetwork expansion through interactive learning.

Let’s join Sensei no Wa

聴解Listening Comprehension for Non-native Teachers

Gadget Application for Better Nihongo: Incorporating smartphone/computer applications in teaching Nihongo

Ms. Sanae Nakatsuka(Assistant Japanese Language
Education Adviser, The JapanFoundation, Manila)
March 11, 2016

Ms. Marie Dominique
E. Licup (Japanese
Language Teachers,
Department of Artsand Humanities, Miriam
College High School)
Ms. Katharine R. Teotico(Technical Head/Japanese
Language Instructor,
Japanese language
Research Center, Inc.)読解を知る、読解を教える
Reading Comprehension: Know dokkai, teach dokkai
Ms. Akiko Ishikawa(EPA Team, The JapanFoundation, Manila)
April 15, 2016

Ms. Maria Cielo E. Sales (Foreign Language Teacher (Nihongo),
Miriam College Middle School) January 22, 2016

“Oshaberi Salon” is a free event for Nihon enthusiasts held at theJapan Foundation, Manila. During each session the participants try
to complete a task on their own or collaborate with others using
Nihongo. The participants not only discover something new about
Nihon or Nihongo, but they can also try their Nihongo, get a lot of
inspiration, and form a new network. If you know someone who is a
Nihon enthusiast, “Oshaberi Salon” might be ideal!

日本語で遊ぼう！
Let’s have fun in Nihongo!
March 4, 2016

旅行
TravelMay 6, 2016

The 2015 Fukuoka Japanese Language Program for Overseas Students
February 24 – March 3, 2016

The 2015 Fukuoka Japanese Language Program lets
participants experience the places, food and culture of
Fukuoka and Japan.
Fukuoka, which is situated on the northern shore of theisland of Kyushu in Japan, is a very nice and beautiful place.
The people I met there were very kind and approachable. My
fellow participants and I had a blast touring Fukuoka and eating
Japanese food. Personally, I liked the macha-based food, mochi
and eel the most. We visited a lot of places like temples andmuseums, and we also went to different universities in Fukuoka
where we got to talk to the students and exchange cultural
knowledge with them.
I got to experience staying in a Japanese household(home-stay). My host family was very accommodating and theytreated me like a member of the household. I am very thankful
for this once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Lastly, I would like to invite everyone to go visit Fukuoka –it is truly a great place to visit. (Bryan Christian Ang, Marugoto
Intermediate B1 student)

11

Banana Q
ぎ お ん ごGlossary for the
Serious Nihongo
Teacher

ぎ た い ごBy Asahi Kunito

も じ

じょうたい
つか

ようす
ひょうげん

ひろ

4)C

Be part of thegrowing familyof the JFM library;sign up now for membership!
The library is open to
researchers/borrowers from10:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.,
Mondays to Fridays, and from9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. on Saturdays.
It is closed on Sundays & Holidays.
Please present an ID card
at the Charging Desk.

For those who wish to become
Library members or want to know
more about the library, visit
www.jfmo.org.ph/about_us_libraryor call (02) 811-6155 to 58.

3)D

おと

2)A

なか

こたえ 1)B

しぜん

Several new books have been added to the JFM Library Collection for Nihongo learners,
Japanese culture enthusiasts and manga/anime aficionados.
Minna no Nihongo published by 3A Corporation is one of the widely used Japanese
language textbooks for individuals and group learners worldwide. Japanese language learners
wanting to continue from beginners’ course to intermediate level can use the new edition of
Minna no Nihongo chukyuu series that are now available at the JFM library.
The Japan Publishing Industry Foundation for Culture has come up with “Japan Library”.
JPIFC has selected different fields about Japan for publication in English. The Japan Library books
are to be distributed for free to public libraries and other institutions outside Japan.
“Japanese Schoolgirl Confidential” and “The Moe Manifesto” are two books issued by Tuttle
Publishing. These books relating to Japanese pop culture will surely enchant readers in the worldof manga and anime.
In Japan, the sailor-moon style uniforms are the familiar images in the world of manga,anime and video games. Know how the famous uniforms appeared in Japan and how theychanged into what they are today. Read the surprising world of The Japanese Schoolgirls andfind out why they are so popular in Japan.
Manga/Anime fans have probably encountered the term “Moe”. Though there is no definite
meaning, it can be used to describe an affection towards Japanese characters in anime movies,
manga books and video games. The author of “The Moe Manifesto” interviewed artists in thefield of anime and manga and each interview is the individual’s point of view of this “moe”
phenomenon.

JFM Courses & Workshops
July 2016 to January 2017

COURSES FOR NIHONGO TEACHERSMARUGOTO Teaching Techniquesin CEBU Module 3
July 23-24 (Saturday & Sunday) 11 hrs.
July 23 9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
July 24 8:30 a.m. – 2:10 p.m.
Venue: University of the Philippines Cebu
Tuition: Php 800

Practice Teaching (PT) in Manila
September 24-25 (Saturday & Sunday) 11 hrs.
September 24 9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
September 25 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m
Venue: The Japan Foundation, Manila
Tuition: Php 800
Practice Teaching (PT) in Baguio
October 29-30 (Saturday & Sunday) 11 hrs.
October 29 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
October 30 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Venue: Filipino-Japanese Foundationof Northern Luzon, Inc.
Tuition: Php 800
MARUGOTO Teaching Techniquesin Manila Module 1
January 14-15 (Saturday & Sunday) 11 hrs.
January 14 9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
January 15 8:30 a.m. – 2:10 p.m.
Venue: The Japan Foundation, Manila
Tuition: Php 800
日本語教師のための中級日本語
Intermediate Japanese for Nihongo Teachers
January 18 – March 1 (Wednesdays) 12 hrs.
6:20 – 8:30 p.m.
Tuition: Php 900
COURSES FOR NIHONGO LEARNERS
Marugoto Intermediate (B1) Module 2
July 12 – October 11 (Tuesdays) 28 hrs.
6:20 – 8:30 p.m.
Tuition: Php 4,500 (Inclusive of textbook)

Marugoto Elementary 2 (A2) Module 1
September 5 – October 17(Mondays & Wednesdays) 24 hrs.
6:20 – 8:30 p.m.
Tuition: Php 4,500 (Inclusive of textbook)
Marugoto Starter (A1) Module 1
September 13 – October 20(Tuesdays & Thursdays) 24 hrs.
6:20 – 8:30 p.m.
Tuition: Php 4,400 (Inclusive of textbook)
Marugoto Intermediate (B1) Module 3
October 25 – December 13 (Tuesdays) 12 hrs.
6:20 – 8:30 p.m.
Tuition: Php 2,250 (Inclusive of textbook)
Marugoto Elementary 2 (A2) Module 1
December 8 – February 6 (Mondays & Thursdays) 24 hrs.
6:20 – 8:30 p.m.
Tuition: Php 4,500 (Inclusive of textbook)
JLPT Interactive Lecture & Exercises
N5 October 1 (Saturday) 1:00 – 4:30 p.m.
N4 October 8 (Saturday) 1:00 – 4:30 p.m.
N3 October 22 (Saturday) 1:00 – 4:30 p.m.
N2 November 5 (Saturday) 1:00 – 4:30 p.m.
N4 November 12 (Saturday) 1:00 – 4:30 p.m.
N5 November 19 (Saturday) 1:00 – 4:30 p.m.
Tuition: Php 200
REGULAR EVENTS REE ADMISSIO
Sensei no Wa
July 30 (Saturday), November 11 (Friday),January 20 (Friday)
6:30 – 7:30 p.m.
Oshaberi Salon
July 8, September 2,
November 4, January 6 (Fridays)
6:20 – 8:00 p.m.
The above schedules are tentative. Kindly check the
JFM Facebook page (www.facebook.com/jfmanila)
for updates.

2016 JAPANESE LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY TEST
(July 3, 2016)
Number of Applicants

Manila
Cebu
Davao
Total

N2
258
24
20
302

N3
441
55
52
548

FRIENDSHIP MONTH

Marugoto Elementary 1 (A2) Module 1
August 22 – October 3 (Mondays & Thursdays) 24 hrs.
6:20 – 8:30 p.m.
Tuition: Php 4,500 (Inclusive of textbook)

日本語教師のための中級日本語
Intermediate Japanese for Nihongo Teachers
September 7 – October 12 (Wednesdays) 12 hrs.
6:20 – 8:30 p.m.
Tuition: Php 900

N1
108
5
4
117

PHILIPPINES-JAPANN4
N51,520 1,333
129
147
231
315
1,880 1,795

Merienda!
The Japan Foundation, Manila Nihongo Teachers’ Newsletter

Total
3,660
360
622
4,642

2016
JAPANESELANGUAGE
PROFICIENCY
TEST(December 4, 2016)
Manila, Cebu, Davao
Registration period:
August 10(Wednesday)
to September 9(Friday)

JUNE 30 – AUGUST 19
Japanese Design Today 100
The Metropolitan Museum of Manila
JULY 7 – AUGUST 21
EIGASAI, The Japanese Film Festival
July 7-17 Shang Cineplex,
Shangri-La Plaza, Mandaluyong City
July 8, August 6, 9, 10 and 12
CCP in partnership with Cinemalaya
July 22-24 Abreeza Mall Cinema, Davao City
July 26 to 30 FDCP Cinematheque, Davao City
August 11-14 SM Baguio, Baguio City
August 15 FDCP Cinematheque, Baguio City
August 17-20 UP Film Institute, Quezon City
August 17-21 Ayala Center, Cebu City
* Director’s Talk
July 8 CCP Little Theater in partnershipwith Cinemalaya
Director Masato Harada talks about his film
“The Emperor in August”
July 9 Shang Cineplex, Shangri-La Plaza,
Mandaluyong City
Director Masato Harada talks about his film
“Kakekomi”

JULY 232016 J-pop Anime Singing Contest(Grand Finals)
SM Mall of Asia, Pasay City
AUGUST 16
Puppet Xchange: Arts of Puppetry fromJapan and the Philippines
Culture Center of the Philippines,
Little Theater • 3PM; 8PM
AUGUST 25 – 28
10th International
Silent Film Festival in Manila
Shangri-La Plaza, Mandaluyong City
Japanese Silent Film Talkand “The Foghorn” screening on August 27
SEPTEMBER 17 & 18
Japanese Book Exhibition
at The Best of Anime 2016
SMX Convention Center, Manila
For updates and more details, please visit the
JFM website or FB page.

24th

The
Philippine Nihongo
Teachers’ Forum

November 2016
WATCH OUT FOR DETAILS!

EDITORIAL STAFF
KIMY TANMOKELI BISCARRAMICHIKO IMAMURAKUMIKO TAURAAKIKO ISHIKAWA
ASAHI KUNITOEMILYN GAMATAN

C.E.J. AQUINOSAYAKA MIYAZAWASACHIKO KUWANOFLORINDA PALMA GILMARIKO OKEDA
FIONA TINDUGAN

Published by The Japan Foundation, Manila(JFM) located at the 23rd Floor, Pacific Star Building,Sen. Gil Puyat Avenue, cor. Makati Avenue, Makati
City 1226, with telephone numbers (632) 811-6155 to 58,
fax number (632) 811-6153; and email address atemail@jfmo.org.ph. • www.jfmo.org.ph