The Japan Foundation, Los Angeles Newsletter
December, 2018: Breeze Issue #134

Greetings!

It was great to see so many Japanese language educators at the ACTFL annual conference in New Orleans last month. Now, I would like to reiterate what I said in my speech at the gathering there; JFLA will always welcome with open arms any requests, inquiries and/or questions from all the language teachers who are helping the world become more diverse and fun!

Coming back to LA, my heart goes out to those who have been affected by the recent wildfire. Please let us know if you are a Japanese language teacher and your school has been hit by the disaster, as we would like to help you.

For everybody else out there, thank you so much for your support and encouragement of our activities this year. We will continue to provide you with many more opportunities to appreciate Japan and its culture in ways you have never imagined before. For those living outside California, I hope our exploration into many different aspects of Japan has contributed in any way to expanding your cultural horizon. Please be ready for more surprises in 2019.


With warmest season's greetings ,
 
 
 
 
Hideki Hara, Director
 

Lecture Series @Japan House LA
Brewing Happiness:
Secrets Behind a Century-Old Sake-Making Family Business
Monday, December 3 @7PM
Free Admission, RSVP Required

Japan is known as a nation of long-lived families and family businesses. There are more than 30,000 centuries-old companies that exist in Japan and many of them have been family-run for many generations.

Japanese Conversation Cafe: Tea Time
Thursday, December 6 @7PM
Free Admission, Registration Required

It's that time of the year again!  Tea Time is one of the most popular events at the Japan Foundation, Los Angeles.  70-100 people get together and you will enjoy Japanese snacks and tea while you chat with native Japanese speakers. All levels welcome! Japanese language experience is not necessary-this event is open to everyone, ages 18 and up.

Special Screening @Taiwan Academy in Los Angeles
Japanese-Taiwanese Co-Production Movie
Mom Thinks I'm Crazy to Marry a Japanese Guy (94mins, 2017)
Directed by Akihisa Yachida
Saturday, December 8 @2PM
Free Admission, RSVP Required
Light refreshments will be served!

A film adaptation of the Facebook page as well as photo book of a Taiwanese woman and a Japanese man which explains their acquaintance through marriage. Popular Taiwanese actress and also director, Jian Man-shu, co-stars with model-turned-actor, Yuta Nakano. The film was shot in various locations like Jiufen, Kengting in Taiwan and Kamakura, Hiroshima in Japan.

Read More

Free Japanese Cinema Screening
Her Sketchbook (106 mins, 2017)
Wednesday, December 12 @7PM
Free Admission, No RSVP Required

Mami rarely leaves home since she dropped out from middle school. She has been escaping reality by immersing herself in copying her favorite manga and illustrations in her room full of books and comics. Her father, Eisuke, worries a lot about her ever since he divorced with her mother, Mika.

 

Free Japanese Cinema Screening
Maquia: When the Promised Flower Blooms (115 mins, 2018) 
Directed by Mari Okada
Tuesday, December 18 @7PM
Free Admission, No RSVP Required

Animation that marks the directorial debut for Mari Okada, the scriptwriter of works including The Anthem of the Heart . Depicts the "eternal moment" of a boy and girl who meet amidst the passage of time.

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Bilingual Yoga at Lunchtime
Wednesday, December 19
12:30PM & 1:00PM (20 Min Sessions)
Free Admission

Wellness Wednesdays: We offer Wellness programs on Wednesday at lunchtime!
December 19 is Yoga day!  In this program, no need to change clothes or use a yoga mat; you will be seated in a chair receiving relaxing instruction from a bilingual (English and Japanese) instructor. Learn simple Japanese phrases during the instruction and stretch your mind as well as your body.
There will be two free sessions beginning at 12:30pm and 1:00pm. No reservation necessary, all are welcome.

Read More

JF Nihongo Winter 2019
January 19 - March 21 
REGISTER NOW!

Study Japanese this winter! Our JF Nihongo 2019 Winter Term will start on January 19! There will be three beginner-level Japanese-language courses to choose from. In each class, students will learn concepts and communication skills that are essential to having a well-rounded understanding of everyday Japanese!

Register before January 11 to qualify for the early bird discount!

2019-2021 J-LEAP: Now Accepting Applications for Lead Teachers 
Deadline: Thursday, January 17, 2019

Are you interested in inviting a Japanese Assistant Teacher (AT) to your K-12 classroom for up to two consecutive school years? Do you want to give your students an opportunity to learn and hear Japanese from a native speaker or an additional native speakers for some variation? If so, make sure you apply for J-LEAP, which was started in 2011 with the help of the Laurasian Institute (TLI). 

We will also be posting articles written by current J-LEAP participants starting with this issue. This month, we would like to welcome Reika Suzuki who is currently at Presidio Middle School in San Francisco, CA.

2018-19 JAPANESE LANGUAGE GRANTS ARE NOW AVAILABLE

We still have one grant program remaining for the Fiscal Year 2018-19 to support Japanese-Language Education in the United States.

The  Japanese-Language Education Project Grant (Deadline: 2 months prior to project start date).

Japanese Language Education Update 61:
ACTFL Report - New Orleans

From Friday, November 16 to November 18 we were in New Orleans for the annual ACTFL (American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages) convention, America's largest convention for foreign language! There, we held a booth for Japanese teachers and people interested in Japanese language education. At least 200 people came to our booth, and we gave away all our goody bags that were prepared with materials and resources for Japanese learning! Not only did we have many Japanese teachers visit us, but too did a whole spectrum of educators, students, and administrators from different language fields - Chinese, German, Korean, Spanish, Arabic, and more! It was truly a pleasure to meet you all!
                                         
We shared our booth with the Consulate-General of Japan in Nashville, who provided a wealth of information about the JET Program, MEXT scholarship, study abroad opportunities, and more! If you or anyone you know are interested in the JET Program, please be sure to check out this website:
 
JET Program
And be sure to check out the website of the Consulate-General of Japan in Nashville for further information, news, and updates from them:
Consulate-General of Japan in Nashville
Thank you Nashville consulate for all your support and cooperation!
 
We also had several J-LEAPers (Japanese Language Education Assistant Program) at our booth sharing their experiences in team teaching in American schools and introducing the J-LEAP Program! Many thanks to the Laurasian Institute, with whom we cooperate to bring this exciting program to the Japanese classroom. If you are a Japanese teacher interested in having an assistant teacher, check out these links:
 
J-LEAP on the Laurasian Institute:
On our website:
 
And last but not least, we wish to thank Japan Crate for providing their iconic "crates" of Japanese snacks for Japanese teachers as raffle prizes. Do you want to introduce a little bit of Japanese snack culture to your students? Be sure to visit Japan Crate's website below and see the variety of snacks they offer. Thank you Japan Crate!
 
Japan Crate:
 
All in all, it was a rewarding business trip! We hope to see you all in Washington DC's ACTFL next year!