Japanese language educators have added expertise in online teaching and learning to their time-tested repertoire of education tools. AATJ’s mission is to provide support and resources. Our continuing series of webinars (archived and available), our publications, and other resources are available to all.
“Confronting the Japanese Language Teacher Shortage: Government Developments Concerning Japanese Language Education in the United States”
米国における日本語教育を巡る政府の動向について
April 28 (Sunday), 9:00-10:30 a.m. Pacific time; 12:00-1:00 p.m. Eastern time
日時：4月28日（日）9:00 -10:30 a.m. PDT; 12:00 – 1:30 p.m. EDT
Based on the “Memorandum of Cooperation in Education” signed between the U.S. and Japanese governments last May, the first U.S.-Japan High-Level Policy Dialogue on Education was held in October 2023. At this dialogue, the Embassy of Japan presented the results of a survey conducted by the Mid-Atlantic Association of Teachers of Japanese (MAATJ) and raised issues surrounding the shortage of Japanese language teachers. Included in the joint statement that was compiled was the decision to strengthen efforts to support Japanese language education in the U.S.
In this webinar, the presenters will share the latest developments and deepen the discussion with teachers on finding creative solutions to the shortage of Japanese language teachers.
要旨：昨年５月に日米両政府間で署名された「教育における協力覚書」を踏まえ、昨年10月に第１回日米教育ハイレベル政策対話が開催された。この中で中部大西洋岸日本語教師会（MAATJ）が実施した調査結果を示しつつ日本語教師不足を巡る課題を提起した。その後、共同文書がまとめられ、米国での日本語教育の支援策について取り組みを強化することとした。本講演で一連の動向について共有し、日本語教師不足の解決策について先生方と議論を深めたい。
Speakers:
Taichi Kaneshiro, Education Counsellor at the Embassy of Japan in Washington, DC / 金城太一参事官、在アメリカ合衆国日本国大使館 /
Tomoko Marshall, Distinguished Lecturer at the University of Virginia and Past President of MAATJ / マーシャルともこ、バージニア大学、MAATJ2022-2023年度会長
Facilitator:
Yoshiko Saito-Abbott, AATJ Professional Development Director / 齋藤-アボット佳子, カリフォルニア州立大学モントレイベイ校
Registration is required. Here is the zoom link to register:
https://csumb.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAvf-msrzMpHdRWY6AjIBN-Ii0tZqjjFFUs
Webinar Archive
- ChatGPT and AI Teaching and Learning: The Role of AI Tools in the Japanese Classroom, October 7, 2023 and October 21, 2023
- Examining Ourselves in Order to Be Culturally Responsive Educators and Create Inclusive Environments: Part 2: Curricular Examination and Recruiting and Retaining Students and Faculty of Color, June 24, 2023
- Examining Ourselves in Order to Be Culturally Responsive Educators and Create Inclusive Environments: Part 1: Bias and Microaggressions, May 13, 2023
- Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) 101, May 7, 2022 – was not recorded to provide an opportunity to discuss and practice in a safe environment. This workshop started with the basic vocabulary and introduce common situations that teachers encounter. Then we focused on microaggressions, with tips on how to respond and defuse challenging situations.
- Helping Students with Developmental Disabilities in the Japanese Language Classroom, April 2, 2022
- The Seal of Biliteracy, Our Programs, and Me, October 2, 2021
- Synergy of synchronous and asynchronous learning environments, July 3, 2021
- Japanese Language Education in the Next Normal – We Won’t Teach Japanese, April 17, 2021
- New York Tough: Working Together for Creating Online Teaching Materials, March 6, 2021
- Engaging Our Learners: Lessons Learned While Teaching Japanese, February 16, 2021
- Advocating for proficiency-oriented Japanese language learning through the National Japanese Exam, January 16, 2021
- 日本語教育の現状と課題, 10/24/2020
- Ongoing Advocacy for Japanese Language and Your Program, 9/19/20
- Promoting Social Justice and Antiracism in Japanese Language Teaching, 8/8/20
- Deeper Engagement in Learning, 7/21/20
- Facing the “New Normal” in Fall 2020: Practical Tools, 7/7/20
- Teaching Writing Online: Hiragana, Katakana, Kanji, 6/22/20
- Preparing for the 2020 AP Japanese Exam, 5/2/20
- Advocacy for Japanese Language Programs, 4/26/20 (OATJ Presentation)
- Social Emotional Learning in the Classroom, 4/25/20
- Remote Teaching for Younger Students, 4/18/20
- Pivoting to Remote Assessment, 4/11/20
- Flying by the Seat of Your Pants: Crisis Teaching Without Sacrificing Proficiency, 3/28/20
- Teaching Japanese Online 101, 3/20/20 (NECTJ Presentation)
- How to Move Online in a Hurry (ACTFL Presentation)
Special Sections in AATJ’s Journal
OUR CHALLENGES AND TRIUMPHS: Female Asian Faculty in Leadership Positions in US Colleges and Universities
The April 2022 issues of Japanese Language and Literature contains a special section in which eight email Asian faculty who have served in leadership positions tell their own career and life stories. These stories celebrate female leadership, inspire future leaders, and offer some practical advice. The articles can be seen, read, and downloaded individually on the journal’s website: jll.pitt.edu. We have also posted the entire 80-page section as a single PDF file; you can read or download it by clicking HERE.
DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION IN JAPANESE LANGUAGE TEACHING
The October 2020 issue of Japanese Language and Literature contains 14 articles in a special section on diversity, inclusion, and professionalism in Japanese language teaching in the United States. The articles can be seen, read, and downloaded individually on the journal’s website: jll.pitt.edu. We have also posted the entire 144-page section as a single PDF file; you can read or download it by clicking HERE.
Japanese National Honor Society
AATJ is pleased to assist teachers with a way to recognize their outstanding students, to encourage them to continue in the study of Japanese, and to promote activities that give students ways to use their language skills.
Annual Nengajo Contest
The AATJ Nengajo Contest is a nationwide contest for students in elementary school, middle school, high school, and university. All participants receive a certificate of participation. Winners at each level in each category also receive certificates and prizes from AATJ.
The Nengajo Contest is an excellent advocacy and teaching opportunity for your program. Many students love artistic pursuits, and this is their chance to shine in your class. It also represents an excellent chance to practice language and culture.
