September 2017

AATJNEWSLETTER

VOL. 6
NO. 3

President’s Message

Yoshiko Saito-Abbott 齋藤アボット佳子
新学期が始まり皆々様にはお忙しい日々をお過ごしのことと思います。
AATJでは2016年から日本語教育のさらなる普 及・奨励に力をいれるためのJ−CAN（Japanese, Core Practices, Articulation/Advocacy, and Network) のイニ
シャティブを推進し、様々のワーク・ショップを行っております。その一環として９月８日から１０日までの３日間JFLAと協賛で「グローバル コンピ
テンシーと日本語教育」というテーマでリーダーシップトレーニングワーク・
ショップをテキサスのサンアントニオにて行いました。いままでリーダーシッ
プトレーニングはJFLAと共にAATJ/ACTFLの学会中に行っていましたが、内容を充実するため、学会と切り離し、またワーク・ショップの内容もホストして頂く教師会や地域の方々にも公開するための新しい試みで行いました。今回ホストして頂いたテキサスの教師会の皆様のお力添えに感謝いたします。 詳細はホストして頂いたJTATの会長福田真樹子
先生とリーダーシップトレーニングに参加されたCarlos Pimentel先生のリポートがこの号に記載されておりますのでどうぞ御覧ください。
今春５月末にオーロラ日本語奨学基金が毎年主催している全米スビーチコンテストに審査員として参加する機会がありました。オーロラ日本語奨学基金が行っている活動、日本語教育への支援、活動内容についてインタビューいたしました。その内容についてもこの号に記載されていますので、合わせれてお読みください。
１１月に開催されるAATJ/ACTFLの学会準備も順調に進んでおります。Co-Directorのアベロ美
恵子先生、知念聖美先生のご尽力の賜物です。ふるってご参加く ださい。さらに現在ワシン
トンDCで来春開催される学会のプロポーザルを募集しております。たくさんの応募をお待ちしております。それではAATJ/ACTFL開催地のテネシー、ナッシュビルでお会いできますことを楽しみにしております。
Greetings! I hope you are doing well in this new academic year. AATJ launched our “J-CAN Japanese,Core Practices, Articulation/Advocacy, and Network) initiative” in January 2016, and we have put ourefforts into disseminating it through workshops across the United States. As part of our effort, we
successfully finished a leadership training in San Antonio Texas on September 8-10. The theme of theworkshop was “Global Competence and Japanese Education,” co-sponsored by Japan Foundation Los
Angeles and hosted by JTAT (Japanese Teachers Association of Texas). AATJ and JFLA have in the past
been conducting leadership training workshops during the AATJ/ACTFL fall conference in November,but in order to have more time allocated for this training, we decided to have the workshop separate
from the fall conference and opened up the content to teachers in the region. It was very well received,with many participants from Texas in addition to the 7 leadership-training participants who were invitedfrom other states. Sincere appreciation goes to Makiko Fukuda sensei who hosted at the University ofTexas at San Antonio, and to the JTAT members.
In the end of last May, I had a chance to participate in the All-USA High School Japanese SpeechContest organized by the Aurora Japanese Language Scholarship Foundation in Irvine, California, and I
had an opportunity to interview board members of the Aurora Foundation. I hope you will enjoy thearticle.
The 2018 Annual Spring Conference will be held in Washington, DC, next March. We are now accepting
proposals for paper and panel presentations, and we look forward to receiving many proposals before theOctober 31 deadline.
I hope to see many of you at AATJ/ACTFL in Nashville, Tennessee, in November!

AATJNEWSLETTER September 2017

Table of Contents
Pages

1

President’s Message

3

AATJ Announcements
・2017 Annual Fall Conference at ACTFL

12・2018 Annual Spring Conference

13

・Special Interview with Dr. Akiko Agishi, President of Aurora Foundation

15

・ Leadership Training Workshop in Texas

16

・Report: Language Advocacy DAY 201718

・Bridging Project News

21

・2018 Year of the Dog NENGAJO Contest Announcement25・Registration for the 2017 JLPT26

AATJ Affiliate News・SEATJ Call for Papers/Abstract Submission
・Report from WATJ

27

・J. LIVE Talk Announcement

29

・Language Ambassador Program in High School・Scholarship Support for Teachers by ALLEX Foundation

30

・Chaplin Memorial Award for Excellence in Japanese Language Teaching31

Job Opening Announcements

36

Support Our Sponsors

Check out AATJ’s Facebook page, and “Like” us to receive updates and the latest news.
Click the link on our home page (www.aatj.org), or search for “AATJ-American

Association of Teachers of Japanese” on Facebook.

2

2017 Annual Fall Conference at ACTFL
The AATJ Fall Conference will be held during the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign
Languages (ACTFL) Annual Convention and World Languages Expo!

The ACTFL Annual Convention and World Languages Expo will feature over 800 educationalsessions covering a wide spectrum of the language profession addressing the theme Experience It.
The ACTFL Convention is an international event bringing together over 7,000 language educatorsfrom all languages, levels, and assignments within the profession.
Registration: To register for the ACTFL Convention, please go to the website(http://www.actfl.org/convention-expo/registration). Be sure to scroll down and select option 2:“Convention Partner Organization Members”; then select “AATJ” in order to register at the lower
member rate. Advance Registration: by Wednesday, October 25, 2017 Onsite: After Wednesday,
October 25, 2017.

HOUSING: 11 hotels have special ACTFL rates; however, some hotels are sold out. For details
regarding hotel reservations, please visit the website https://www.actfl.org/convention-expo/housing.
PRESENTATION SESSIONS: This year, AATJ sponsors two concurrent sessions including 18
research paper presentations and 22 one-hour learning sessions. These sessions will be held in the
Omni Nashville Hotel, Mockingbird Meeting Rooms 3 and 4 (See 2017 ACTFL-AATJ Schedule
below).

3

AATJNEWSLETTER September 2017

MAP: Omni Nashville Hotel

Mockingbird Meeting Room 3&4
Omni Nashville Hotel

MAP: Music City

Level 1M - Davidson Ballroom

4

SESSION PRESENTERS: Please read “FORPRESENTERS” on the ACTFL website (https://www.actfl.org/convention-expo/presenters). There are anumber of presentation tips for presenters in 60 min.
sessions, research papers, roundtables, and electronic poster
sessions. All ACTFL sessions are searchable by using the
ACTFL ONLINE CONVENTION PROGRAM (https://
ww5.aievolution.com/tfl1701/index.cfm?
do=cus.pubSearchOptions).
JAPAN PAVILION IN EXHIBIT HALL: The Japan Pavilion in the Exhibit Hall of Music City
Center will feature entertainment as well as exhibits by publishers, travel agents, universities, andother companies and services related to our profession. Please check the Music City Center Floor
Plan. AATJ’s Booth number is 233. http://s36.a2zinc.net/clients/ACTFL/ACTFL2017/Public/
eventmap.aspx?shmode=E
EXPERIENCE HANDS-ON LEARNING: Exhibit
Hall Visit Free Time is scheduled at 10:00-11:00AM on
Friday, 11/17; 9:00-10:00AM & 3:00-4:00PM on
Saturday, 11/18; and 9:00-10:00AM on Sunday, 11/19.
Teachers and educators in the Tennessee area areplanning to demonstrate Origami (Friday), Tea
Ceremony (Saturday & Sunday), and Digital Illustration(Saturday).

AATJ TEACHER AWARD LUNCHEON: The AATJ Luncheon will be held at Davidson
Ballroom-Salon A2 & A3, Music City Center, from 12:30-1:45PM on Saturday, November 18. The
tickets are $35. Please purchase a luncheon ticket when you register for the conference. AATJ
will not sell tickets at our booth. If you have already registered but did not request a luncheon ticket,
please contact ACTFL or purchase your luncheon ticket by logging in again online. Students
at Middle Tennessee State University will give a J-pop dance performance.
LOCAL AFFILIATE COUNCIL MEETING: The local
affiliate council meeting will be held in Davidson
Ballroom-Salon A2 & A2, Music City Center from
6:30-7:00PM on Saturday, November 18, 2017.
AATJ GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING AND
RECEPTION: The AATJ General Membership Meeting
and Reception will be held in Davidson Ballroom-Salon
A2 & A3, Music City Center from 7:15-9:00PM on
Saturday, November 18, 2017.

5

AATJNEWSLETTER September 2017

VISIT JAPAN BREAKFAST SEMINAR: Japan National Tourism Organization, JNTO’s “Visit
Japan Breakfast Seminar” will be held at Legends Ballroom G, Omni Nashville Hotel at 7:008:00AM on Saturday, November 18. Please see the details below.
■ ACTFL	
  2017	
  「ビジットジャパン朝食セミナー」の参加者を募集！ (締切 :	
  10月13日)
日本政府観光局(JNTO)では、訪日外国人数の増加に向けた取り組みの一貫として、日本語学習者による訪日教育旅行および留学の促進に取り組んでいます。
今般、テネシー州ナッシュビルにおいて11月17日(金)～11月19日(日)にAmerican	
  Council	
  on	
  The	
  Teaching	
  of	
  Foreign	
  Languages(ACTFL、全米外国語教師協会)が開催する言語・語学イ
ベント「The	
  2017	
  Annual	
  ConvenBon	
  and	  World	
  Language	  Expo」にビジットジャパン(VJ)
ブースを出展し訪日教育旅行及び留学に関する情報提供を実施することに伴い、「ビジットジャパン朝食セミナー」を下記の通り開催いたします。
本セミナーでは、訪日教育旅行及び留学の受け入れに熱心な日本の地方自治体・教育機関による各種支援制度及び受け入れ事例のご紹介などを通して、皆様の今後の訪日教育
旅行の手配や留学プログラムの理解にお役立ていただくことを目的としています。どうぞ奮ってご参加ください。	
 ACTFL	 2017 ビジットジャパン朝食セミナー	 	
 開催日時: 11月18日(土) 07：00～08：00AM
開催地： 米国、テネシー州ナッシュビル
	 	
 開催場所：Omni	
 Nashville	
 Hotel (Legends	
 Ballroom	
 G)
	
 	
 	
 	
 	
 	
 	
 	
 	
 	
 	
 	
 250	
 5th	
 Ave	
 S,	
 Nashville,	
 TN	
 37203 U.S.A
内容：
地方自治体、教育機関による教育旅行受け入れ支援・留学制度、事例の紹介
対象： 	
 全米で日本語教育に携わる先生及び教育関係者
募集人数： 40名程度
	 	
 セミナー参加費： 無料	 ※	
  座席数に限りがございますので先着順とさせていただきます。予めご了承ください。
セミナー参加に関心をお持ちの皆様は、下記までご連絡ください。よろしくお願い申し
上げます。
	
   	
 ＜お申し込み期限＞	
  	
 10月13日(金)	
 ＜ご連絡・お申し込み先＞	
  	
 ご連絡を頂き次第、申し込み用紙をお送りいたします。
	  ACTFL	  2017	
  ビジットジャパン朝食セミナーUS事務局
NTA	  America	
  Inc. 	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  
E-­‐mail：support@ntaamerica.com
	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  TEL：	
  310-­‐768-­‐1870＜申込み必要事項＞	
  	
  
	
  	
  『氏名（日本語/英語）、所属先（学校名と所在州）、役職、メールアドレス』
お申込みの方は、これらをお知らせ頂きますようお願い申し上げます。受付後、ご連絡させて頂きます。

62017 ACTFL-AATJ Schedule
FRIDAY, November 17
8:30am 10:00am
10:00am 11:00am
11:00am 12:00pm

Mockingbird 3 at Omni Hotel
Mockingbird 4 at Omni Hotel
Opening General Session
Exhibit Hall Opening/Welcome Coffee
Creating a Path to Autonomous
Learning through the Use of Can-Do
Statements
Michi Shimura
The Japan Foundation, Los Angeles
Hiroko Katsuta
The Japan Foundation

AATJ Research Paper Session I
Making Sense and Making Use of Diversity in
the Japanese Classroom
Yasuko Akiyama
Indiana University

Effective Accounts in Conflicted Situations inJapanese Enterprise
Kanako Yao
Washington University in St Louis

Instructing communication processes for

Co-constructing Conversation

Takae Tsujioka
The George Washington University
Tomoko Hoogenboom
University of Maryland Baltimore County
1:15pm 2:15pm

Five Courses & Two Buildings:
Schoology as a Tool for Effective
Teaching

AATJ Research Paper Session II
Evaluation of Learning of Less Engaged
Students in Language Classrooms

Rebecca Allen
Dublin Jerome High School

Takuya Kojima
The University of New South WalesThe Dynamic Nature of the Motivation of College
Students Learning JapaneseKiyomi Chinen
California State University Long Beach
Shingo Satsutani
College of DuPage'Let's Eat Out at a Restaurant!': Creating
Authentic Situational Learning
Denise Ebisuzaki
Clarendon Elementary School
Junko Tanaka
Clarendon Elementary School

2:30pm 3:30pm

Implementing the 6 Core Practices
in Japanese Class
Kazumi Yamashita-Iverson
Maloney Interdistrict Magnet School

AATJ Research Paper Session III
A Modular Model of Intensive Elementary
Japanese Pedagogy
Jason Herlands
Grand Valley State University

Cultivating Global Competence in BeginningLevel Japanese Courses
Ayako Nagai
University of California - Irvine

7

AATJNEWSLETTER September 2017

2:30pm 3:30pm

Etsuko Barber
St. Mark’s School of Texas/ Global Online Academy
Online Lecture Videos & Quizzes as Preparationfor Beginner Japanese Class
Mariko Kawaguchi
Michigan State University

3:45pm 4:45pm

Developing a Digital Curriculum forJapanese Programs in Secondary
Schools
Molly Jeon
BHS North
Keiko Kuriyama
Indiana University Purdue University
Indianapolis

AATJ Research Paper Session IV
Effects of Performance-based Achievement
Testing on Oral Proficiency
Mariko Wei
Purdue University
Atsushi Fukada
Purdue University
Saori Houston
Purdue University
Mayu Miyamoto
Purdue University

An Automatic Evaluation System of L2 Oral
Simultaneous Reproduction Tasks
Yutaka Yamauchi
Tokyo International University
Kayoko Ito
Kyoto University
Nobuaki Minematsu
The University of Tokyo

Creating Japanese Reading Proficiency Test
Items Using ACTFL Guidelines
Shinsuke Tsuchiya
Brigham Young University
Yoshihiko Ariizumi
Deseret Two Institute for Learning Improvement
Robert Russell
Brigham Young University

5:00pm –6:00pmEngaging Your Students with Social
Justice Driven Lessons
Mio Nishimura
Alisal High School
Michelle Lupisan
North Salinas High School

AATJ Research Paper Session V
Developing Literacy Skills in Japanese with
Reading While Listening
Makiko Fukuda
University of Texas San Antonio
Erina Romanowich
University of Texas San Antonio

Encoding English Words into Katakana: Harderfor Learners than We Think?
Yumiko Tashiro
Washington and Lee University

Functional and Orthographic Written Errors
by L2 Japanese Learners
Katherine Martin
Southern Illinois University
Noriyasu Li
University of Pittsburgh

6:30pm –7:30pm8

ACTFL Awards Ceremony

SATURDAY, November 18
7:00am 8:00am

JNTO Breakfast(Omni Nashville Hotel, Legends Ballroom G)
Mockingbird 3 at Omni Hotel

8:00am 9:00am

Mockingbird 4 at Omni Hotel

What's Truly Possible in HighSchool Japanese 1? Witness &Experience It!

AATJ Research Paper Session VI
Developing and Validating a Japanese
Vocabulary Size Test

Junko Hosoi
Aragon High School

Aurora Tsai
Carnegie Mellon University
Vedran Dronjic
Northern Arizona University

Phonological Advantages of Heritage Learnersof JapaneseTomonori Nagano
LaGuardia Community College, CUNY
Ai Mizoguchi
CUNY Graduate Center
Mieko Sperbeck
John Jay College, CUNY
Jun Choi
LaGuardia Community College, CUNY

9:00am 10:00am
10:00am 11:00am

Machine Translation as a Pedagogical Tool forFlash Fiction in Japanese
Catherine Ryu
Michigan State University

Exhibit Hall Visit Free Time / Kinokuniya Workshop
Experience High-Leverage
Teaching Practice that Promotes
Social Actions
Yoshiko Saito-Abbott
California State University
Monterey Bay
Yo Azama
North Salinas High School

11:15am 12:15pm

Just In Time Teaching: Teachingand Learning Japanese for a
Digital Age
Noriko Gonzales
South Kitsap School District
Yasu-Hiko Tohsaku
University of California - San Diego

12:30pm1:45pm
2:00pm –3:00pmThe Community of Inquiry to Connect
Learners Online in Real World Tasks
Masahiro Tanaka
United Nations International School
Tomoko Graham
Noble and Greenough School
Noriko Okubo
Knox English Network

5C’s into Project Design: Learning Culture
through Business Case Projects
Noriko Takeda
Emory University
Tomoko Takami
University of Pennsylvania

AATJ Luncheon (Music City Center, Davidson Ballroom A2-A3)
Infographics and TED Talks for
Alternative Presentational
Communication

Masako Douglas
California State University Long Beach

Immersive Learning with Virtual Reality
Yasutomo Horikoshi
Foreign Service InstituteRika Brent
Foreign Service Institute

9

AATJNEWSLETTER September 2017

Hiroko Kataoka
California State University Long Beach
3:00pm –4:00pm
4:00pm –5:00pmExhibit Hall Visit Free Time / Kinokuniya Workshop
Let’s Experience Powerful 4 “R”
Strategies to Get You Out of a Rut

Fostering Global Perspectives in the Novice
Level Classroom

Lesson Design in Preparation for
IB and AP Japanese Courses andExams

Intermediate to Proficiency: Engaging
Language Learning Experience

Mieko AvelloMiami Palmetto Senior High School
Kazue Masuyama
California State University Sacramento

5:15pm –6:15pm

6:30pm –9:00pm

Ikuno Imaizumi
Foreign Service InstituteKumi Kobayashi
Lynbrook High School
Tomoki Kuwana
Wilcox High School/Peterson Middle School
Yukari Salazar
Cupertino High School
Ruiko Nagai
Cupertino High School

Gabriel Culbertson
Cornell University
Kyoko Shoji
Erik Andersen
Notre Dame High School
Cornell
University
William Collazo
Naomi
LarsonDeerfield Beach High School
Cornell University
Affiliate Council Meeting 6:30-7:00
AATJ Membership Meeting and Reception 7:15-9:00(Music City Center, Davidson Ballroom A2-A3)

SUNDAY, November 19
8:00am –9:00am

Mockingbird 3 at Omni Hotel

Mockingbird 4 at Omni Hotel

Introduction to OJAD for Practical
Prosody Training of Japanese

Digital Portfolios: Motivating
Student Learning

Nobuaki Minematsu
The University of Tokyo

9:00am –10:00am
10:00am 11:00am

Exhibit Hall Visit Free Time with Coffee
Differentiated Instructions ofPronunciation for K-16 Japanese Learners
Asako Takakura
University of California Los Angeles
Kyoko Shoji
Notre Dame High School
Tetsuo Harada
Waseda University

11:15am 12:15pm

10

Rie Tsuboi
San Dieguito High School Academy
Yasuharu Higure
J-LEAP

The Art of Coaching: Designing
Effective Internships in Study
AbroadSanae Eda
Middlebury College
Misako Chapman
Cornell University

Developing the Hearts & Minds ofJapanese Learners through Interculturality

Tell Me about Your Favorite animeor Movie and Why You Like It

Minako Kamimura
Salinas High School
Erica HashibaEverett Alvarez High School
Cameron Chien
North Salinas High School

Naoko Takei
Simon Fraser University

Also on the ACTFL Conference Program, featuring AATJ Members:
Friday (11/17), 5:00-6:00 p.m., Music City Center, Room 202B
Developing Interculturality by Experiencing Project-based Language Learning
Noriko Fujioka-Ito (University of Cincinnati)
Junko Tokuda Simpson (University of California San Diego)
Saturday (11/18), 5:15-6:15 p.m., Music City Center, Room 206B
Flipping the Class: Dispelling Myths and Sharing How It Works
Junko Tokuda Simpson (University of California San Diego)
Izumi Takeda (University of California San Diego)
Yasu-Hiko Tohsaku (University of California San Diego)
Sunday (11/19), 10:00-11:00 a.m., Music City Center, Room 104D
Online Performance-based Assessments as Routine Achievement Tests
Atsushi Fukada (Purdue University)
Wei Hong (Purdue University)
Colleen Neary-Sundquist (Purdue University)
Jessica Sturm (Purdue University)
Workshops Sponsored by Our Exhibitors:
Saturday (11/18), 9:30 – 10:20 a.m., Exhibit Hall, Workshop Room #2
Nihongo Daijobu! Enabling Beginners to Communicate SuccessfullySponsor: Kinokuniya Bookstores of America
Presenter: Akiko Kajikawa, Sun Academy Nihongo Center
Saturday (11/18), 3:30 – 4:20 p.m., Exhibit Hall, Workshop Room #2
How to Use POP CULTURE NEW AND OLD
Sponsor: Kinokuniya Bookstores of America
Presenter: Yoshiro Hanai (University of Wisconsin, Oshkosh)11

AATJNEWSLETTER September 20172018 Annual Spring Conference
The 2018 Annual Spring Conference will be held on Thursday, March 22, 2018, in Washington,
DC, in conjunction with the Annual Meeting of the Association for Asian Studies (AAS) .
Proposals are invited for individual papers and panels. A proposal should be in one of the following
areas/categories: (1) pedagogy, (2) literature, (3) linguistics, (4) second language acquisition, (5)language and technology, or (6) special interest group topics*. Individual papers are 20 minutes longwith an additional 5 minutes for discussion. Organized panels are 100 minutes long and are limited
to four active participants (four paper presenters, or three presenters with one discussant).
* If your proposal is on a topic related to one of AATJ's Special Interest Groups (Professional
Development, Translating/Interpreting, Japanese for Specific Purposes, Japanese as a Heritage
Language, Study Abroad for Advanced Skills, Language and Culture, Classical Japanese,
Community College Training, Proficiency Assessment, or AP Japanese), and if you would like tohave it considered for sponsorship by the SIG, please indicate which SIG topic is addressed in theappropriate section of the submission form. If your proposal is on a topic that is outside the main
topic areas, please consider whether it might fit into one of the SIG topics.
The submission deadline for all proposals is 9 p.m. Eastern time, Tuesday, October 31, 2017.
An abstract for an individual paper should be no more than 300 words in English or 700 characters
in Japanese. For organized panels, a maximum 300-word or 700-character abstract is required fromeach participant, in addition to a maximum 300-word or 700-character abstract for the panel itself.
Proposals will be evaluated based on the following characteristics: contribution to the field,
originality, practicality, methodological or conceptual soundness, and clarity of writing.
Please note that Individuals may submit only one proposal, as presenter, co-presenter, or panel
member. This includes participation in SIG panels and presentations.
Proposals must be submitted online. For details, and to submit proposals, please go to http://aatj.org/
conferences-spring.

12Special Interview with Dr. Akiko Agishi, President of Aurora Foundation
by Yoshiko Saito-Abbott

For this issue of the Newsletter I interviewed Dr. Akiko Agishi, President of the Japanese Language
Scholarship Foundation known as Aurora Foundation, Dr. Hiroshi Sumiyama, chairman of the All-USA
High School Japanese Speech Contest (sponsored by the Aurora Foundation), and Yoko Pusavat, chief judgeof the speech contest. I hope many teachers will learn more about the Aurora Foundation and their works tosupport Japanese education in the U.S.
(Yoshiko Saito-Abbott (shown as Saito below), President of AATJ)
Saito: Thank you very much for your time for this interview. Many of our members have heard of yourfoundation, but would you briefly tell us the mission of the foundation?
Agishi: The Japanese Language Scholarship Foundation was established in 1998 with an eye toward thefuture of the global peace, and a deep passion for contributing to a better world for young educators: we are a
501(c)(3) non-profit organization. We have two award programs. The first one is JLSF Scholarships. We assist
United States citizens, who are Japanese language teachers or graduate students of Japanese language
education, to experience living in Japan and further their understanding of the Japanese language and culture,
improve their teaching abilities, and enrich their appreciation of Japanese culture. The second one is the
AURORA CHALLENGE GRANT. This grant is created to support learners and researchers who go to Japanto develop their work further.
Saito: Those are wonderful supports for the teachers of Japanese. Any other activities?
Agishi: Yes, we hold an annual All-USA High School Japanese Language Speech Contest, encouraging
Japanese learners to develop an understanding of Japanese language and culture. We select and send a USA
representative to enter the International Japanese Speech Contest held in Japan.
Saito: Agishi-san, why did you establish the foundation? What was your vision?
Agishi: I was fortunate to be able to come to the USA with a Fulbright Scholarship when I was 27 years old. I
wanted to return my appreciation by working for the young generations not only in the USA and Japan but all
the world. So far we have 65 awardees of scholarships and grants. We hope these activities will positively
affect the mainstream USA and will enhance goodwill in strengthening the important bridge between the USA
and Japan and promote better understanding between Japan and the USA.
Saito: I had a chance to participate as a judge this May at the All-USA High School Japanese Speech Contest
which you organized, and I was impressed by the students’ performance as well as the community support for
the event. It is going to be the 15th year next year. Would you describe why you started this US-wide Japanese
Speech contest? What makes your speech contest unique and different from other speech contests in USA?
Sumiyama: The International Japanese Speech Contest Committee in
Educational Guardianship Group in Tokyo, Japan, approached our foundation,
requesting that we select and send a USA contestant to their International
contest. Accepting their request, we started our “All-USA High School Japanese
Language Speech Contest” in 2003. We solicit applications from speech
contestants at various national/regional/state/multi-school Japanese language
speech contests in this country. Such contests must be held between April 1 andmid-April of the following year. The top three winners at each contest are
qualified to enter our contest with recommendations from their school
administrator and Japanese teacher. We intend to be inclusive of all Japanese
language learners in high schools in USA.
Saito: How do you select the participants for the contest?

Dr. Akiko Agishi

Pusavat: The participants will be selected based on evaluations of audio recordings and handwritten
manuscripts of their speeches in Japanese. The contestants and their speeches are evaluated by several judges
at the contest event. We use five judging criteria - content, structure, language management, interview

13

AATJNEWSLETTER September 2017

responses, and overall impression. The three top scoring contestants are winners and acknowledged by aplaque with special monetary award, and followed by VIP award, audience award, and judges’ recognition
awards.
Saito: I see, and the winner of the speech contest will participate in the worldwide speech contest which isheld in Japan?
Pusavat: Yes, the USA representing contestant will be chosen from the top three winners at the All USA HighSchool Japanese Speech Contest and sent to the International Japanese Speech Contest in Japan. His/her
Japanese teacher or school administrator responsible for Japanese language studies at their school could
accompany the contestant to Japan. We provide some monetary assistance, when possible.
Saito: This year contestants from seven states entered the speech contest, right? Do you always hold yourspeech contest in California?
Sumiyama: Yes, the contest is held at the University of California, Irvine. The 3-day event consists of awelcome party, speech presentations, and closing reception. Contestants stay with Japanese- speaking hostfamilies during the event, having opportunities to interact with Japanese speaking local high school students.
Saito: Who organizes the contest?
Sumiyama: The Aurora Foundation board of directors and the speech contest committee are in charge of thecontest planning and management.
Saito: How did you get the strong community support?
Sumiyama: Japanese and/or Japanese American members of the Japanese Friendship Network in Orange
County and local high school students in the area are dedicated volunteers and eager supporters of this event.
The event provides contestants and supporting volunteers with an opportunity to develop friendships andintercultural understanding mutually.
Saito: And how does the community contribute to the speech contest? What are the unique aspects different
from any other speech contests in America?
Pusavat: The contestants spend three days with host families during the contest event. They can experience a
taste of Japan and some feel of Japanese lifestyle. In addition, Orange County is blessed with Japanesesupermarkets, bookstores, karaoke stores, restaurants, and merchandise stores. Without going to Japan, they
can have some Japan experience during the event. This segment of the event has been highly appreciated andvery popular. Such a language and culture program to accompany the speech contest is not found in any otherspeech contest in the USA.
Saito: I just learned that the winner of the All USA High School Japanese Speech contest of 2017, Yu Xuan
Chen,received the Imabari Mayor award at the International speech contest in Imabari, Japan. It is quite anaccomplishment for her and her Japanese teachers in USA. How many contestants participated in thisinternational speech contest, and how were they selected?
Agishi: The Education Guardianship Group (EGG), JSA Planning Committee held “The 22nd Annual
Japanese Speech Award” at Imabari, Japan on July 29, 2017. Sixteen contestants participated from 14
countries this year. The Education Guardianship Group invites the first or second contest winner from theirown countries for the International Speech Contest.
Saito: The Aurora Foundation speech contest participation provides a great opportunity for learners ofJapanese in this country. What message does the foundation want to send to students, teachers, and language
administrators/educators in USA?
Pusavat: We want them to pursue studying the language and culture of Japan. Along the way, they willdevelop deeper appreciation and understanding of Japanese culture as well as their own culture. Ultimately
they will grow into better cross-cultural communicators who could promote global interaction leading into
world peace. We encourage them to think globally and act locally by participating in the speech contest.

14

Saito: I hope many students submit applications for next year for the challenging competition and the great
cultural experience. I also hope many teachers take advantage of this wonderful learning opportunity for
professional development. Agishi-san, when you are at home, what do you do to relax and enjoy?
Agishi: I love cruising and enjoying ballroom dancing on board. I also enjoy staying peacefully at home in
LA. I love to spend time with my four-year-old shiba dog named “Aurora” and cooking!
Saito: Agishi-san, Sumiyama-san, Pusavat-san, thank youvery much for your time today. I hope many teachers will
apply for the Aurora Foundation Scholarships and Grants,
and that many more students will participate in next year’s
speech contest.
For more information about the Aurora Foundation：http://
www.jlsf-aurora.org/eng
Scholarships/Grant information: http://www.jlsf-aurora.org/
eng/page/contents
Speech contest information: http://www.jlsf-aurora.org/eng/
page/speech-contest
From Left: Yasuyo Makino (Exective Director), Dr. Hiroshi Sumiyama, Yoko Pusavat

Leadership Training Workshop in Texas
The 2017 AATJ/JFLA Leadership Training Workshop was held in San Antonio, TX, from September
8-10, 2017. This year, the training workshop was hosted by the Japanese Teachers Association of
Texas (JTAT), unlike previous years when it was held during the ACTFL Convention, and JTAT
members had the opportunity to participate in a significant portion of the workshop. The Leadership
Training Workshop participants were: Lauren K. Gassman (Cass Technical High School, MI), Carlos
L. Pimentel (Western Michigan University), John Caden (James Madison High School, TX), Naoko
Ozaki (Rice University), Shinji Shimomura (University of South Florida), Soichiro Motohashi(Western Carolina University), and Takayuki Masai (South Kitsap High School, WA). Below are
Carlos Pimental’s report on the Leadership Training Workshop and Makiko Fukuda’s report on the
Saturday Workshop for teachers from Texas hosted by JTAT.
Report on the Leadership Training Workshop
by Carlos L. Pimentel, Western Michigan University
From September 8th to the 10th, I had the privilege of attending theLeadership Training Workshop in Global Competency and Japanese
Language Education, held by AATJ and JFLA in beautiful San
Antonio, Texas. This year’s cohort consisted of bright and eager
Japanese instructors from high schools and universities in Florida,
Michigan, North Carolina, Texas, and Washington. The workshop
was designed to educate leadership participants in AATJ’s J-CAN
initiatives and advocacy and network activities. By the end of theworkshop, we developed short-term (1-2 year) and long-term (3-5 year) goals designed to put these
activities into practice.
On the first day of the workshop we presented the current status, activities conducted, and challenges
facing our respective local organizations. Afterward, we listened to an interesting talk by Yoshihira

15

AATJNEWSLETTER September 2017

Nagatani, the president of Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Texas Incorporated. Mr. Nagatani spoke on
the role of Japanese language education in business, and stressed the need for students to focus on
the development of professional skills, while also studying Japanese language and culture. After thetalk, Dr. Yoshiko Saito-Abbott discussed ACTFL’s Global Competence Position Statement, andparticipants discussed how Japanese language education coincides with the position statement’s
objectives.
The second day of the conference was held at the University of Texas at San Antonio, where wewere joined by several JTAT instructors. Erin Whelchel, ACTFL’s Special Projects Coordinator, gavea presentation about the Lead with Languages project designed to promote language advocacy. The
subsequent presentations dealt with resources available by the Japan Foundation and AATJ’s
advocacy efforts, 21st century skills and core practices. In the evening, Director Hideki Hara of JFLA
discussed survey reports on Japanese language education and initiatives. Following this, theleadership participants brainstormed short-term and long-term action plans for our respective
organizations.
On the final day, the leadership participants presented their short and long-term action plans. Being
able to learn about the activities currently taking place as well as the action plans of our fellow
organizations under the AATJ umbrella was both insightful and educational. For me personally, theworkshop allowed me to gain a better understanding of how AATJ as an organization functions incooperation with the Japan Foundation and ACTFL.
In conclusion, I would like to thank Dr. Yoshiko Saito-Abbott, Dr. YoshikoMori, Dr. Motoko Tabuse, and Director Hideki Hara for the time and carethat they placed into organizing this wonderful workshop. I would also liketo thank my fellow leadership participants, from whom I gained a wealth ofknowledge and a camaraderie that I look forward to enjoying for many
years to come.
Report on the Saturday JTAT Workshop “Global Competency andJapanese Language Education” conjoined with the AATJ/JFLA Leadership Training
Workshop by福田真樹子, the University of San Antonio, JTAT President
2017年9月9日、全米日本語教師会と国際交流基金ロサンゼルスが共催の”Global Competency and Japanese
Language Education”をテーマにした公開ワークショップ
をテキサス教師会がテキサス州立大学サンアントニオ校でホストいたしました。午前の部ではACTFLのスペ
シャルプロジェクトコーディネーターErin Whelchelさん
が、”Lead with Languages” というウェブサイトを用い
Advocacyについて、そして国際交流基金ロサンゼルスの原所長がビジネスリソース、漫画について話されました。午後の部は、全米日本語教師会会長の齋藤先生と田伏先生が、J-CAN, Advocacy, Articulation, 21st century
skill, そして Core Practiceと盛り沢山の内容で講義をされ、参加者全員がディスカッションを通じて様々な情報を共有する事が出来ました。	
 テキサス教師会では、この時期通常の勉強会をテキサスの教師会会員のみで開催しておりましたが、今年はリーダーシップ研修の一部をホストする機会に恵まれた為、日系ビジネス関係者、テキサス
州以外の日本語教師、更に補習校教員とのネットワークを強める事が出来、大変有意義な勉強会となりました。この様な素晴らしい機会を下さった全米教師会と国際交流基金ロサンゼルスの皆様に心より感謝を申し上げます。

16

Report: Language Advocacy DAY 2017by Shingo Satsutani

AATJのアドボカシー全体を担当している理事のメンバーの一人、札谷新吾です。今後ともよろしくお願いいたします。さて、今回はすでに半年も前のことになってしまいましたが、２月中旬に全米からDCに外国語教育関係者が一堂に集い、各州別にその州の上院、下院の関係議員に直接議員会館で懇談し、外国語教育に関する様々な陳情を一斉に行うLanguage
Advocacy DAY 2017に森副会長と共に参加してきた報告です。僕はAATJ代表とイリノイ州
からの訪問団の一員としての二足の草鞋を履いて州選出のタミーダックワース民主党上院議員をはじめ、居住地域の下院議員の事務所で担当職員と懇談してきました。イリノイ州には他の言語でもアドボカシーに熱心な先生方がいらっしゃるので初めて参加した僕も何とかみんなに付いていって、できる子とはしてきたつもりです。このイベントは数年かけてワシントンDCの議員会館に足を運んで議員や議員事務所担当職員との綿密な関係を構築することによって中央に影響をもたらす成果を導き出す場です。来年も参加して、顔を覚えてもらって話を聞いていただけるよう努力していきたいと思いますのでよろしくお願いします。以下はダックワース上院議員への礼状です。
Dear Eric (ダックワース議員の秘書)
Thank you for meeting with representatives of the Illinois language education community on
Thursday, February 16, 2017 during our Language Advocacy Days. We sincerely appreciate yourtime and attentive ear to our concerns regarding language education.
Senator Duckworth has been a strong voice for language education when she was a Representative
and we sincerely hope that she will continue that role in the Senate especially since Senator Kirk had
been an ally of learning languages. As we discussed, we would love to have the Senator be one ofthe voices represented on the Lead with Languages campaign because she has previously been a partof the Honorary Council.
As a reminder, we would like the Senator to support full funding for ESSA and have included our
position of other appropriations. We are also seeking support of the Preserving Native American
Languages Act and are including links as well.
S.254 Text: Esther Martinez Native American Languages Preservation Act
We invite you and other staffers to attend the AAAS report briefing on “America’s Languages” on
February 28th. We are attaching the invitation as well.
When Senator Duckworth is back in Illinois, we cordially invite her to visit any of us in our
educational settings and see first hand the importance of language learning to our students inIllinois.
Should you need any additional information, please feel free to reach out to us or our voice inWashington, the Joint National Committee on Languages-National Council for Languages andInternational Studies (JNCL-NCLIS).
Todd Bowen
Professional Learning Chair, Illinois Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages
Director of World Languages, Niles Township High Schools
Linda Egnatz
Advocacy Chair, Illinois Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages
Spanish teacher, Lincoln-Way West High School2014 ACTFL National Teacher of the Year

17

AATJNEWSLETTER September 2017

Ryan Rockaitis
Vice-President, Illinois Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages
Illinois Foreign Language Teacher of the Year
Shingo Satsutani
President, Illinois Association of Teachers of Japanese
Board, American Association of Teachers of JapaneseProfessor of Asian Languages and Cultures, College of DuPage
Lyn Scolaro
Co-President, Midwest Chapter of the American Association of Teachers of Italian
Italian teacher, Prospect High School

Bridging Project News
Eighty-eight undergraduate students from colleges and universities across the United States werenamed recipients of Fall 2017 Bridging Scholarships for Study Abroad in Japan. The winners will
receive awards of $2,500 - $4,000 to assist with their expenses while they study in Japan during the
2017-2018 academic year.
AATJ administers the Bridging Scholarship program with the support of the Japan-US Friendship
Commission, an independent federal agency promoting mutual understanding between the UnitedStates and Japan. The Commission initiated the Bridging Project scholarship program andestablished a 501(c)(3) private foundation, the US-Japan Bridging Foundation(www.bridgingfoundation.org), to accept contributions. The goal of the Bridging Project is topromote study abroad in Japan by larger numbers of American undergraduate students. The programis administered by AATJ. Since 1999, 1,650 scholarships have been awarded.
Contributors to the 2017-2018 academic year scholarships include Aflac Japan, AIG Holdings KK,
Ronald and Maria Anderson, the Bridging Scholars Alumni Scholarship Fund, Paul Clawson, Estee
Lauder K.K., Exxon Mobil G.K., the Freeman Foundation, Yoshiaki Fujiki, the Robert Grondine
Memorial Scholarship Fund, Ellen Hammond and Yasuo Ohdera, Chris Herbert, Harry and YumikoHill, Ichigo Asset Management, the Japan Foundation, Stephanie Klapper, Lockheed Martin Global,
Inc., Patricia Maclachlan and Zoltan Barany, Deanna Marcum, E’Narda McCalister, Mission Value
Partners, Mitsubishi Corporation (Americas), Morgan Stanley Japan, Anne Nishimura Morse,
Robert and Janette Noddin, Oak Lawn Marketing, ORIX USA Corporation, T.J. Pempel, Susan
Pharr and Robert Mitchell, Thierry Porté and Yasko Tashiro Porté, Bradley Ramos, the Roche
Family Foundation, Leonard Schoppa, Megan Schufreider, David Sneider, Kevin Sollomich, Lance
Sweatt, George and Brad Takei, Temple University-Japan Campus, Toyota Motor North America,
the U.S.-Japan Council TOMODACHI Initiative, and the Ira Wolf Memorial Scholarship Fund .
Applications are being accepted for the next group of Bridging Scholarships, for study in Japan
beginning in Spring 2018. The application deadline is October 11, 2017. For information on thescholarships and to access the application form, visit the Bridging Project online at https://www.aatj.org/studyabroad/japan-bridging-scholarships

18

Recipients of Bridging Scholarships for Study Abroad in Japan, Fall 2017
Nicole ABBONDANZA / University of North Carolina, Charlotte / Nagoya University of Foreign Studies
Farzana AHMED / Knox College (IL) / Nanzan University (IES) / economics; international studies
Alex ALDERMAN / University of Illinois Chicago / Temple University Japan Campus
Megan ASHER / Illinois State University / Kansai Gaidai
Dana BENELLI / University of Oregon / Waseda University
Kevin BERNING / Miami University / Kwansei Gakuin
Grace BOLOGNA / University of Chicago / Kyoto Consortium for Japanese Studies
Indiana BROWN / University at Albany, SUNY / Kansai Gaidai
Molly BRUEGER / Kalamazoo College (MI) / Doshisha University
Zoe BUNTON / University of Kansas / Kansai Gaidai
Tyler BURTON / George Washington University / Waseda University
Jessica CAMARILLO / Humboldt State University (CA) / Waseda University
Tobin CARLSON / Lawrence University (WI) / Waseda University
Caroline CARROLL / Ohio State University / Hokkaido University
David CENTENO / Hunter College, CUNY / Meiji Gakuin
Kristina CHAMBERS / SUNY Stony Brook / Tokyo University of Foreign Studies
Brittany CLARKE / University of North Texas / Kansai Gaidai
Chandler COLLINS / University of Virginia / Hitotsubashi University s
Emily DELMONICO / Northern Arizona University / Kyushu University
Emma DUNCAN / Wellesley College / International Christian University
Carly DUNN / University of Memphis / Nagoya Gakuin
Aaron EASTWOOD / Calvin College (MI) / Japan Center for Michigan Universities
Marissa ELLIS / Northern Kentucky University / Gifu University
Julia EMORY / Coastal Carolina University (SC) / Osaka Gakuin
Ihechiluru EZURUONYE / Kalamazoo College (MI) / Doshisha University
Alistair FAGHANI / Foothills College (CA) / Temple University Japan Campus
Chloe FINLEY / Clemson University / Sophia University / international trade; Japanese
Sarah FLANAGAN / Ohio State University / International Christian University
George FOURMAUX / Loyola University New Orleans / Sophia University
Colin GALLAWAY / Boston College / Waseda University
Augustino GIAMBRONE / Northern Kentucky University / Gifu University
Megan GILL / Western Carolina University / Osaka Kyoiku University
Jordan GOODWIN / University of Alaska, Anchorage / Hokkaido University of Education
Alexandra GRIFFIN / Nazareth College (NY) / Kansai Gaidai
Katrina HAMMON / Juniata College (PA) / Hokusei Gakuen
Ezekiel HELING / University of Minnesota / Hitotsubashi University
Kylie HILL / University of Nevada, Reno / Kanazawa University
Anna HIRSCHLER / Lake Forest College (IL) / Tokyo International University (ISEP)
Kendall HOUCK / St. Cloud State University (MN) / Akita International University
Erica HOWIE / University of Alabama / Meiji University
Meghan HURLEY / University of Massachusetts, Amherst / Kansai Gaidai
Alex HUTCHINS / Cornell University / Kyoto Consortium for Japanese Studies
Charlie JAMES / University of California Berkeley / Tsuru University
Kelly KAMRATH / Nebraska Wesleyan University / Kwansei Gakuin

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AATJNEWSLETTER September 2017

Grace KIM / Rutgers University / International Christian University
Benjamin KLEHR / Honolulu Community College / JF Oberlin University
Victor LANE / Earlham College (IN) / Waseda University
Celia LANGFORD / Whitman College (WA) / Doshisha University (AKP)
Madison LAWRIE / Portland State University / Kansai Gaidai
Sharada LE / Wichita State University / Kansai Gaidai
Gerlin LEU / Bowdoin College (ME) / Kyoto Consortium for Japanese Studies
Jeremy LUNA / SUNY New Paltz / Kanazawa University
Keelyn McCABE / University of Virginia / Hitotsubashi University
Gwenafaye McCORMICK / University of Mississippi / Waseda University
Anthony MILLER / Nebraska Wesleyan University / Kwansei Gakuin
Natasha MILLIGAN / Willamette University (OR) / Tokyo International University
Francis MIYATA / Knox College (IL) / Waseda University
Abby NAUMANN / University of Missouri, St. Louis / Waseda University
Eric OSBORNE / University of Idaho / KCP International Language School
Rachel PELLEGRINO / University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign / Konan University
Miranda PELONOIO / San Francisco State University / JF Oberlin University
Mai PHAM / Rice University (TX) / Kanda University of International Studies (IES)
Matthew PRIEDE / Northern Kentucky University / Musashi University
Lisa QI / Northwestern University (IL) / Kyoto Consortium for Japanese Studies
Blake RADCLIFFE / Bellevue College (WA) / KCP International Language School
Natasha RIEGLE / Saginaw Valley State University (MI) / Kansai Gaidai
Hannah ROZEI / Georgia State University / Soka University
Heather RUCKER / Wittenberg University (OH) / Nanzan University (ISEP)
Nicholas SARANDOS / Ursinus College (PA) / Akita International University
Jared SELETSKY / Temple University / Temple University Japan Campus
Jenny SHAO / University of Miami / Sophia University
Marshall SHERRELL / University of Washington / Keio University
Kristen SHIPLEY / North Carolina A & T State University / Musashi University
Julianna SMITH / Michigan State University / Waseda University
Sarah SPEIKER / University of Toledo / Aichi University
Jennifer TA / University of Colorado, Denver / Kwansei Gakuin (USAC)
Sean TAYLOR / Mira Costa College (CA) / Temple University Japan Campus
Cao-Minh TRAN / University of Hawaii Hilo / Doshisha University
Graciela TRIMBLE-QUIZ / University of Texas, Austin / Sophia University
Ellie TSUCHIYA / Georgia Institute of Technology / Waseda University
Robert VAN AARTSEN / Western Michigan University / Ritsumeikan University
Pengxue VANG / University of Wisconsin Milwaukee / Seijo University
Sean WALSH / Georgia State University / Soka University
Cheyenne WING-LAWRENCE / Western Washington University / Toyo University
Veronica WINTERS / Washington University in St. Louis / Kyoto Consortium for Japanese Studies
Emily YEH / University of California San Diego / Keio University

20

2018 Year of the Dog NENGAJO Contest Announcement
Welcome back to a new school year! We hope you had a wonderful and rejuvenatingsummer break and are ready for the exciting year. Speaking of excitement, theexciting news is Samurai Japan (Men’s soccer team) is going to World Cup 2018 in
Russia!
As the new school year begins, we would like to inform all AATJ members about the Nengajo
Contest 2018, Year of the Dog. 794 cards were submitted by 125 members in 2017’s contest. The
number of cards nominated was increased by 71 this year! High school and college submissions
have increased by a combined 85 entries! We hope to see continued growth of numbers received,
especially at the College/University level.
For College/University teachers: your students can send a card individually. All you need to do ispromote the NENGAJO contest! We understand that your term works differently from K-12 levels,
so we hope this helps your situation.
There are 4 categories for the contest: Artistic, Comical, Original, and Computer Graphic. Pleaseconsider each category carefully. We choose the winners who meet each category’s description.
Each school can nominate 2 cards per category, total of 8 students. If you teach at 2 or more schools
or different levels such as elementary, middle, and high school, you can nominate 8 cards from eachschool and/or each level (Each level means elementary, middle, high school, and college/university).
If you are teaching different grades in elementary school, you can only nominate up to 8 students
from the school.
CATEGORYARTISTIC
COMICAL
ORIGINALCOMPUTER
GENERATEDDESCRIPTION
The card shows the skills of the artist on the design, coloring, and writings.
The design is amusing and funny and the card is done neatly and nicely.
The design is creative and inventive, and the card is done neatly and nicely.
The card meets all the requirements and neatly done by a computer.

12 inchAddress

The winners will be awarded a certificate and an Amazon gift card. Winner’s NENGAJO images
will be displayed on the AATJ website and during the ACTFL Annual Convention. All participants
will receive a certificate of participation.
Please remember to include a self-addressed and stamped 9x12 inch
envelope with stamp in the application. Extra amount of postage incase your students win the contest is appreciated. Your student(s) will
receive certificates with this enclosed envelope. Thank you for helping
us to expedite this process!
You need to be a 2017 member of AATJ to submit your nominations.
Please check your membership status before the submitting the cards.
The submission must be postmarked before or on Wednesday,
December 27, 2017.For more detail information, please go to https://
9 inchwww.aatj.org/nengajo-contest/2018-invite Please contact Mio
Nishimura at: sensei93905@gmail.com for any question. Thank you
and we look forward to your submission!

21

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AATJNEWSLETTER September 2017

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AATJNEWSLETTER September 2017

Registration for the 2017 JLPTThe 2017 Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT; Nihongo Nouryoku Shiken) will be offered at
17 test sites in the United States on Sunday, December 3 (including one new test site this year, inPortland, Oregon). Registration is open until September 27.
For American learners of Japanese, the JLPT offers a way to test language skills and evidence ofachievement that is comparable with other Japanese learners around the country and the world.
If you live near one of the test sites, please encourage your students to take the JLPT. In particular, if
they are interested in attending school or working in Japan in the future, having taken the JLPT will
be a credential they can offer to potential employers.
More information, including a list of test sites, a description of the JLPT's five levels, and a link toonline.

THE ONLY OFFICIA L

Internationallyaccreditied language
examination

Open to all non-native
Japanese speakers

32017
Date: December 3, 2017 (Sunday)

Administeredonce a year
in the US

www.aatj.org/jlpt-us

Registration Period: August 28 - September 29, 2017
US Test Sites
Ann Arbor, MI
Atlanta, GA
Boston, MA
Boulder, CO
Chicago, IL

Columbus, OH
Fayetteville, AR
Honolulu, HI
Houston, TX
Los Angeles, CA
Miami, FL

New York, NY
Philadelphia, PA
Portland, OR (NEW!)San Francisco, CA
Seattle, WA
Washington, DC

Registration Fee: $60(non-refundable)

N1 | N2 | N3 | N4 | N5

For more information, please visit:www.aatj.org/jlpt-us

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AATJNEWSLETTER September 2017

SEATJ Call for Papers/Abstract Submission
We are pleased to announce the Call for Papers for the 32nd Annual Southeastern Association ofTeachers of Japanese (SEATJ) Conference to be held at the University of South Florida (USF) on
Saturday, February 10, 2018.
Proposals are invited for 20-minute presentations on topics related to Japanese language andteaching (language pedagogy, instructional technology, integrating culture into the classroom,classroom activities, second language acquisition, Japanese linguistics, Japanese literature and film,
heritage language learners, K-12 issues in teaching Japanese and other related topics). Presentations
can be in either English or Japanese. We welcome abstract submissions from all levels of Japaneseteachers. Please submit your abstract proposal using the online form below.
http://scholarcommons.usf.edu/cgi/ir_submit.cgi?context=seatj
If you access the above link for the first time, youwill see the following Sign In page.
If you do not have an account with Digital
Commons, please click the Sign up link at thebottom of the page and create a new account. If
you already have an account with Digital
Commons, please login to proceed.
The deadline for abstract submission is Tuesday,
October 31, 2017.
Conference Website: http://scholarcommons.usf.edu/seatj/

Report from WATJ
by Kei Tsukamaki

Washington State is excited to welcome two exchangeteachers from our sister prefecture, Hyogo Prefecture.
Ms. Yoko Hirohata and Ms. Yuki Yamane arrived on
August 1st, 2017, and will work with two local
teachers, Mr. Sam Kuyper and Mrs. Kei Tsukamaki,
for the 2017-2018 school year. Both Ms. Hirohata and
Ms. Yamane are English teachers and combined bringover a decade of teaching expertise to our classrooms.
As President of WATJ, I am grateful to Hyogo
Prefecture and the in-state organization, Hyogo
Business and Culture Center, for making this exchange possible. As a host teacher for this school
year, I am so excited for the opportunity to work with Ms. Yamane in my classroom! (Photo: fromleft to right -- host teacher Kei Tsukamaki, exchange teacher Yuki Yamane, exchange teacher Yoko
Hirohata)

26

J. LIVE Talk Announcement
The Japanese Program at the George Washington University will seek applications for J.LIVE Talk
2017 (Deadline: October 4). J.LIVE Talk (short for Japanese Learning Inspired Vision andEngagement Talk) is a new brand of Japanese language competition for the 21st century, whichemphasizes the comprehensive range of presentation skills necessary for achieving communication
in today’s increasingly interactive and multimedia world. Unlike a traditional speech contest, J.LIVE
Talk evaluates not only oratory competence, but also the dynamism, vision and level of engagementof each participant's presentation, which can include audio-visual materials, audience interaction,and other enhancement. Please see the website (JLIVEtalk.com) for more details, including the videofrom the last year.
The contest consists of two rounds. In the preliminary round (Deadline: October 4), entrants send in
a 2-3 minute video describing an event of personal impact. This is followed by the final round, heldat the George Washington University on November 5, 2017, in which each finalist gives a longer
live presentation on a topic of his or her choice. The top awards include a chance to study abroad inJapan (a package of an airfare, six-eight week intensive summer course tuition and a stipend), as
well as cash prizes. We will also provide a travel subsidy up to $500 for a selected contestant toparticipate in the final round depending on the location of his/her home institution.
Applicants must satisfy all of the following basic qualifications:• Studying Japanese as a foreign language, as of November 5, 2017 (J.LIVE Talk 2017 final
round date), at the undergraduate or graduate level in a 2-year college or 4-year university• Has earned a minimum of six credits of college level Japanese as a foreign language or theequivalent (as determined by the student’s university and subject to review by the selection
committee) by the time of application• Has not attended a full-time, secondary-level (grades 7-12) Japanese educational institution
accredited by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology of Japan,
for 4 or more years.
Heritage speakers who satisfy the basic qualifications are also encouraged to apply. Eligible
applicants enter one of the three competition categories as determined by teacher recommendation(and subject to review by the selection committee), based on “ACTFL oral proficiency guidelines
2012.”: Category I (Intermediate Low-Intermediate Mid), Category II (Intermediate High- AdvancedLow) and Category III (Advanced Mid-Advanced High)J.LIVE Talk 2017 is supported by the following organizations (by alphabetical order):λAll Nippon Airways
λDepartment of East Asian Languages and Literatures, GW
λEmbassy of Japan in the United States of America, Washington, DC
λGeorge Washington University
λJapan Commerce Association of Washington, DC
λJapan Commerce Association of Washington, DC Foundation
λJapan Foundation, Los Angeles
λJapan-US Friendship Commission
λNaganuma School
λNanzan UniversityλSigur Center for Asian Studies, Elliot School of International Affairs, GW
λTOP NY
λWashington Japanese Heritage Center

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AATJNEWSLETTER September 2017

The Japanese Program at
the George Washington University Presents:
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A Japanese language competition
for the 21st Century

JAPANESELEARNING
INSPIREDVISION:ENGAGEMENT

J.LIVE Talk 2017 is made possible by the generous support of:/EOJ%20Logo.png
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Language Ambassador Program in High School
The PAX Laurasian “Language Ambassador” program places high school exchange students in
American high schools that offer foreign language classes in the student’s native language. Japanese
students are placed in American schools that offer Japanese language classes for American students.
In addition to attending a full slate of American classes at the host school, these students are young
language and cultural "ambassadors" who volunteer in the Japanese language classroom for one
class period per day.
Japanese language teachers at our host schools utilize their volunteer “language ambassador” inmany different ways - some students give a brief presentations to the class on an aspect of Japaneseculture each month, others participate actively in class as a language partner for dialogues or help
students who are practicing their Japanese speaking skills, others help students who are learning
Kanji or act as a volunteer teacher’s aide in the classroom. Many of our “language
ambassador” students also join the Japanese language club at their host school or give presentations
about Japanese culture to school groups to try to get American students excited about studying
Japanese language and culture. Many teachers find that bringing a teenage Japanese peer into thelanguage classroom helps American students to better understand Japanese culture and get excitedabout practicing and using their Japanese language skills.
The PAX program is looking for high schools where there are teachers of Japanese and where there
is a host family.
To learn more about PAX please go online to https://www.pax.org. If you are interested in findingout about hosting a student from Japan, please contact Peggy Jackson at peggyj@pax.org or
914-341-7208.

Scholarship Support for Teachers by ALLEX Foundation
Scholarship Support Available for WUSTL-ALLEX Chinese/Japanese Teacher Training
Program: http://www.allex.org
Washington University in St. Louis and the ALLEX Foundation will again offer an intensive
teacher training program for Chinese and Japanese instructors this summer from mid-June toearly-August. The WUSTL-ALLEX Chinese & Japanese Teacher Training Institute is anintensive course for current language teachers or those who plan to enter the field. The programprovides the foundation for future instructors to teach Chinese or Japanese and gives
substantial tools to current teachers to reinforce and strengthen their programs. It is a hands-on
course; effective methodology in teaching Chinese and Japanese to North Americans isemphasized over a theoretical analysis of the language.
Successful graduates will receive credits from Washington University and a certificate ofcompletion. Significant substantial scholarship support is available.
For more details on the course and registration
information please visit the ALLEX Website:
http://www.allex.org/teacher-training/overview/

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AATJNEWSLETTER September 2017

Chaplin Memorial Award for Excellence in Japanese
Language Teaching
The Hamako Ito Chaplin Memorial Award will again be conferred in 2018,
administered through the Association for Asian Studies. In accordance with the wishesof the Chaplin family, each year a prize of $1000 will be awarded to either a current
graduate student or a full-time instructor of Japanese for excellence in Japanese
language teaching at the college-level. A full-time instructor who has completed
graduate study within the last 3 years in an area that directly involves Japanese
language teaching is eligible to apply. Possible academic fields of specialization are
Japanese language pedagogy, linguistics, anthropology, or literature. Current graduate
students must demonstrate their intention to enter the teaching field in a North
American university. Professor Priya Ananth (Middle Tennessee State University)
serves as Chair of the Selection Committee, Professor Sarah Thal (University of
Wisconsin) serves as representative of the Northeast Asia Council of AAS for thecommittee, and Professor George Chaplin serves ex-officio.
Individuals interested in applying (self-nomination) and faculty members
interested in nominating an eligible graduate student (nomination) — should
download an application form at the following site:
Hamako Ito Chaplin Award Application 2018

You may also request the application form to be sent via email by contacting Dr.
Priya Ananth (Priya.Ananth@mtsu.edu). Completed applications must be received by
February 2, 2018 at the following address: Dr. Priya Ananth, Department of Foreign
Languages and Literatures, MTSU, P.O. Box 79, 1301 East Main Street,
Murfreesboro, TN 37132, USA. The award will be announced in the AAS #AsiaNow
Blog.
Persons interested in contributing to the award fund should send their contributions to:
The Hamako Ito Chaplin Memorial Award, c/o Association for Asian Studies, 825 Victors Way,
Suite 310, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48108.

30

Job Opening Announcements
Bates College
The Asian Studies Program at Bates College, a private liberal arts college located in southern Mainewith a rich history of diverse coeducation, invites applications for a tenure–track Assistant Professor
position in Japanese language, literature, and culture to begin in Fall 2018.
QUALIFICATIONS:
Ph.D. is preferred but ABD candidates will be considered. Superior proficiency in Japanese andEnglish is required. The Program hopes to appoint a candidate with interests in one or more of thefollowing, considered in terms of their positions within the larger context of East Asia: modern
Japanese literature, film, and popular culture. A commitment to teaching language courses, as well as
experience in Japanese language pedagogy, are expected. The course load is a 5-course combinationof culture and language courses annually. For more information about Asian Studies at Bates, see our
webpage (https://www.bates.edu/asian/). The new faculty member has the opportunity to make a key
contribution to an innovative and forward-looking Program with majors in Chinese, Japanese, andAsian Studies. We welcome applications from individuals capable of contributing to Bates
College’s ongoing commitment to social and cultural diversity and inclusiveness. Bates College andthe Asian Studies Program are committed to enhancing equity, inclusion and diversity, including ourcapacity for teaching students from all backgrounds. Faculty members are expected to contribute tothese goals, and we expect candidates to identify their strengths and experiences in this area in theircover letter and in two-page teaching and scholarship statements.
APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:Applicants should submit the following materials: a letter of application (cover letter), two-pageteaching and research statements, curriculum vitae, three letters of recommendation (at least one ofwhich speaks to teaching), academic transcripts, and, if available, sample syllabi of relevant courses
and recent teaching evaluations. Review of applications begins November 15, 2017, and willcontinue until the position has been filled.
This institution is using Interfolio's ByCommittee to conduct this search. Applicants to this position
receive a free Dossier account and can send all application materials, including confidential letters ofrecommendation, free of charge. Please apply at: http://apply.interfolio.com/44715
Georgia Institute of Technology
The School of Modern Languages at Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta seeks two recent
PhDs with training in German or Japanese for its signature Global Languages, Cultures, andTechnologies (GLACT) Post-doctoral Program, with the following preferred specializations:
German: Applied Linguistics; Language for Business and Engineering; online instruction; andinterest in contributing to the summer study abroad LBAT.
Japanese: Applied Linguistics; Digital Humanities; and interest in teaching content courses inJapanese in the areas of literature, history, culture, social studies, and linguistics.
The GLACT Program fosters collaboration across languages, technologies, and global cultures.
GLACT positions are full-time and renewable for up to three years. They include a 3/3 teachingassignment (with opportunities for a course offset in support of academic program development),

31

AATJNEWSLETTER September 2017

health and retirement benefits, a salary of $45,000 per academic year, and a professionaldevelopment allocation. Candidates with expertise in innovative teaching methodologies and interestin shaping cross-disciplinary language program development for the 21st century are especiallyencouraged to apply.
TEACHING AND CURRICULAR DEVELOPMENT: The GLACT Program involves teaching a
range of undergraduate courses with one to two courses possible in the candidate’s area of research
specialization. The GLACT Program includes opportunities for curricular and program development
in topics related to languages, cultures, and technologies, as well as potential instruction inconnection with our signature summer study abroad programs Languages for Business andTechnology (LBAT). Interest in collaboration with faculty and researchers in the School of Modern
Languages and across the Institute – including in technology-oriented disciplines – is vital, as the
GLACT position involves teaching a range of students while contributing to new and innovative
academic programming and career education initiatives that align with Georgia Tech strategic
priorities.
RESEARCH: Candidates are expected to continue their scholarly agendas and are encouraged toextend them to include research in areas such as pedagogy, service learning, international education,
digital humanities, cross-disciplinary language and technology instructional innovation, andassessment. The GLACT Program encourages active collaboration on shared research interests aspart of a vibrant scholarly community, with regular and formalized opportunities for feedback,mentorship, and intellectual development.
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT: Candidates are supported in their professional development
toward academic and non-academic career paths through projects such as programmatic assessment,
grant writing, administration, publishing, and public relations.
SERVICE: Candidates may serve on committees to help shape programmatic initiatives in areas suchas innovative instructional technologies, curriculum development, recruitment and outreach, andprofessional opportunities for Georgia Tech students in the global arena.
TO APPLY: Position requirements include a PhD awarded no more than five years prior toappointment plus demonstrated research and teaching strengths. Dossiers should include a letter ofapplication, curriculum vitae, teaching portfolio (minimally, a teaching statement, sample syllabi,
and summary of course evaluations/comments; additional elements are acceptable), to be submitted
in one single PDF document to glact-hiring@modlangs.gatech.edu. Please make arrangements tohave three letters of recommendation sent under separate cover to glacthiring@modlangs.gatech.edu. Only digital applications will be reviewed.
Review of applications begins on October 6, 2017. Virtual short-list interviews are expected tobe conducted in mid-October. Expected start date is January 1, 2018.
The Georgia Institute of Technology is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. The
School of Modern Languages is especially interested in considering applications from minority
candidates.

32Middlebury College - Directorship
Middlebury College's internationally renowned School of Japanese seeks a visionary leader withtenure credentials, extensive language teaching experience, experience with communicativecompetency-based language instruction and assessment, and demonstrated administrative ability, toserve as Director of the School of Japanese (summer intensive language program).
During the summer, the Director is responsible for overseeing the instructional and cocurricular
program on-site; during the academic year s/he evaluates and hires faculty, publicizes the program,recruits students, oversees the admissions process, and attends one on-campus winter meeting and
one directors’ retreat. As part of the terms of a negotiated contract, the successful candidate will
spend all or part of the upcoming summer of 2018 at our Vermont campus observing the operation of
the School, meeting with the outgoing director as well as the School faculty, staff and other directors,
and planning for the following year. As director-designate, the candidate will in most cases alsoteach in the School. The three-year term director appointment will begin September 1, 2018.
Qualifications: Applicants for this position should be faculty members with tenure or tenurable
credentials in an established program. Candidates with extensive language teaching, administrative
experience, and leadership ability will receive strongest consideration.
Middlebury College is a top-tier liberal arts college with a demonstrated commitment to excellencein faculty teaching and research. An Equal Opportunity Employer, the College is committed to hiring
a diverse faculty as we work to foster innovation in our curriculum and to provide a rich and varied
educational experience to our increasingly diverse student body.
Application Instructions: Review of applications will begin on September 22, 2017, and willcontinue until the position is filled. All applicants should submit a cover letter, curriculum vitae andthree letters of recommendation. Preliminary interviewing will take place at ACTFL (Nashville,
November 2017). Middlebury College uses Interfolio to collect applications. Email and paper
applications will not be accepted. Please apply at: http://apply.interfolio.com/44135.
Middlebury College - Teaching
The Middlebury College Department of Japanese Studies invites applications for a tenure-track
position at the assistant professor level in Japanese language and literature/culture beginning
September 2018. The successful candidate will be asked to teach Japanese language at all levels andoffer courses on Japanese literature or other Japanese Studies topics (taught in English), teaching abalance of language and content courses. Candidates must have native or near-native fluency inJapanese, a Ph.D. in hand or near completion in humanities or other Japanese Studies field, and someexperience teaching Japanese at the college level. Experience teaching Japanese literature or otherJapan-centered field in English is also desirable, but not required.
Middlebury College is a top-tier liberal arts college with a demonstrated commitment to excellencein faculty teaching and research. An Equal Opportunity Employer, the College is committed to hiring
a diverse faculty as we work to foster innovation in our curriculum and to provide a rich and varied
educational experience to our increasingly diverse student body. EOE/Minorities/Females/Vet/
Disability.
Application deadline is November 1, 2017. Please indicate in your letter of application whether you
will be attending the MLA meetings January 4-7, 2018, in New York City. Middlebury College uses
Interfolio to collect all faculty job applications. Email and paper applications will not be accepted.

33

AATJNEWSLETTER September 2017

At Middlebury, we strive to make our campus a respectful, engaged community that embraces
difference, with all the complexity and individuality each person brings. In your applicationmaterials, we encourage you to address how your teaching, scholarship, mentorship and/or
community service might support our commitment to diversity and inclusion. Through Interfolio,
submit letter of application addressed to the committee chair, Professor Linda White, curriculum
vitae, writing sample, such as a published article or a chapter of the dissertation and three current
letters of recommendation, at least two of which should speak to teaching ability. More information
and application materials are online at http://apptrkr.com/1065128.
Offers of employment are contingent on completion of a background check. Information on our
background check policy can be found here: http://go.middlebury.edu/backgroundchecks.
Stanford University
The Department of East Asian Languages and Cultures at Stanford University is seeking applicants
for a tenure-track Assistant Professor position in the area of premodern Japanese literature.
Areas of secondary interest include but are not limited to Japanese History, Performance, Religious
Studies, Visual Culture, Gender Studies, and Chinese Language and Literature. Candidates are
expected to have completed the Ph.D. degree by the time of appointment. Appointees will be
expected to teach courses at both the graduate and undergraduate levels in Japanese literature andpremodern forms of language.
Applicants should submit a curriculum vitae, a list of publications, and three letters of reference
online via www.AcademicJobsOnline.org. For full consideration, materials must be received
by October 15, 2017. The appointment will begin on September 1, 2018.
Stanford University is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to increasing the diversity of
its faculty. It welcomes nominations of, and applications from, women, members of minority groups,
and protected veterans and individuals with disabilities, as well as others who would bring additional
dimensions to the university’s research, teaching, and clinical missions.
University of Texas - Austin
The Department of Asian Studies at the University of Texas at Austin invites applications fora one-semester lecturer position in Japanese language, beginning January 15, 2018. The
successful candidate will be expected to teach three sections of two courses per semester. Upon
review of their first semester, the candidate will be offered a one-year contract subject torenewal based on job performance and budget.
QUALIFICATIONS:A Master's degree or higher in Japanese language or a closely related field and native or nearnative proficiency in both Japanese and English are required. Preference will be given to
candidates with teaching experience in the advanced levels and those who can start teaching in
the Spring 2018 semester.
APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:
Please upload a letter of interest (include your earliest possible start date), current CV, video
clip of recent example of teaching, three letters of recommendation, and relevant syllabi
including a list of courses taught and textbooks used.
Candidates must apply online through https://apply.interfolio.com/43723 to be considered.
Deadline for applying: September 25, 2017 at 11:59 pm Eastern Time.

34

Japan ICU Foundation Global Scholarship

U.S. SCHOLARS INITIATIVE
Application opens on September 1, 2017

STUDY IN JAPANThe U.S. Scholars Initiative will provide full-tuition
support for 4 years of undergraduate study atInternational Christian University in Tokyo, Japan.
Starting in 2018, two incoming first-year students will
receive the scholarship annually.
Applicants must:● be United States citizens,● graduate or have graduated from high school in
the U.S.,● and demonstrate a strong interest in Japan, in
the Japanese language and the liberal arts.

September 1–December
1: USSI Application Period

December 15:
Finalists
notified forinterviews

For more information, visit jicuf.org/ussi
Contact JICUF at information@jicuf.org

35

About ICUICU is a private liberal arts
university in Tokyo. Founded on theprinciples of the Universal
Declaration of Human Rights, ICU
aims to cultivate responsible global
citizens. ICU has been a pioneer inliberal arts education in Japan since
its founding in 1953.
Please visit www.icu.ac.jp/en tolearn more.

January 2018:
ICU Application Period
Deadline; USSI
interviews

March 2018:
ICU Admission& USSI
Notification

AATJNEWSLETTER September 2017

American Association of Teachers of Japanese, Inc.
1424 Broadway, Campus Box 366
University of Colorado
Boulder, CO 80309-0366Support Our Sponsors
The ALLEX Foundation is proud to be a sponsor of AATJ. ALLEX provides professionally trained Chinese,
Korean and Japanese instructors, sabbatical replacements, and teaching assistants to language programs atover 200 universities. Learn more at www.allex.org
Nippon Express Travel USA is a corporate sponsor of AATJ. Nittsu Travel wants to help teachers takestudents to Japan. Find out more about their services at http://www.nittsutravel.com/e_index.php .
JTB USA is a sponsor of AATJ’s annual conferences. Visit http://www.jtsusa.com to find out about thecompany’s travel services focusing on travel to and within Japan.
NHK Cosmomedia America, Inc., broadcaster of the TV JAPAN Channel in the USA and Canada, is a
corporate sponsor of AATJ. Visit www.tvjapan.net to find out how to subscribe to TV JAPAN at home orcontact scott@nhkcma.com to find out how to add TV JAPAN to a Campus CableTV system.