MA TEACHERS ALERT!
Teams of 2 teachers and 8 of their 13-15 year-old students from 1 or 2 Massachusetts school systems are invited to apply for a World Youth Convention in Hokkaido, Japan, (WYCH) to be held Wed, Aug 2 – Thu, Aug 10. The International Junior Art Camp (sponsored by the Hokkaido Shimbun Press) has been combined with the Asia Fifteen Program, which the Hokkaido government has carried out for the past 5 years. The focus of this new event encompasses not only art, but also song, dance, group performance, and a range of other practical activities. The program includes a stay with host families; visits to farms, schools, and factories; hiking; and production of art objects in groups. Pending funding, there is no charge to teachers; students must pay $500 each toward travel expenses (scholarship money may be available). Administrators of the program are the Massachusetts-Hokkaido Sister State Association and the Five College Center for East Asian Studies. Deadline for applications is Mon, May 1. Applications and more information are available now from FCCEAS, 8 College Lane, Smith College, Northampton, MA 01053, Tel 413-585-3751, Fax 413-585-3748, Email [email protected], Web www.smith.edu/fcceas.
ASIAN STUDIES SUMMER SESSION, TOKYO
The Sophia University’s Summer Session of Asian Studies provides students and teachers the opportunity to study the relationship of Japan to Asia and the world. Participants experience Japanese culture and society. Each course requires participation in relevant tours, special events, and lectures. The program welcomes secondary and college instructors interested in professional and curriculum development. The session runs from Sat, Jul 22 – Fri, Aug 18. Application deadline is Mon, Jul 3. Contact: Richard A. Gardner, Director, Summer Session Office, Sophia University, Ichigaya Campus, 4, Yonbancho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 102-0081, Japan. Tel 03-3238-4090; Fax 03-3238-4091; Email [email protected]; Web http://133.12.40.67.
JAPANESE HOMESTAYS
LEX America/HIPPO Family Club offers 2- or 4-week homestays in Japan with volunteer host families. Emphasis is on language immersion and family life. The 2-week program is Mon, Jul 10 – Wed, Jul 26. The 4-week program runs from Mon, Jul 10 – Wed, Aug 9. Application deadline is Mon, May 1. Contact Christina Heaphy, LEX America, 68 Leonard St, Belmont, MA 02478. Tel 617-489-5800; Fax 617-489-5898; Email [email protected].
NECTJ EXCHANGE PROGRAMS & EVENTS
The Northeast Council of Teachers of Japanese (NECTJ) offers these exchange programs: 2 middle school programs, one in April to Shizuoka and Yokohama, and the other to Kanoya and Osaka, tentatively scheduled for July; and a high school program to Japan, also tentatively scheduled for July. NECTJ is also holding these events: Mon, Mar 27: 6th Annual Spring Festival, at United Nations International School (UNIS), NYC Sat, May 27 – Sun, May 28: Annual Boston Round Table, Boston, MA Contact: Kazuo Tsuda at NECTJ. Tel 212-696-0347; Fax 212-889-8959; Email [email protected].
LANGUAGE & CULTURE PROGRAMS
The Boston Institute of Intercultural Communication (BIIC) offers beginning and intermediate Japanese language classes for adults and high school students on Wed evenings, Apr 5 – May 31. A Japanese language, culture, and arts program is also available for children ages 7-13. Hands-On Japan meets from 9 am - 4 pm in 2 sessions: Mon, Jul 10 – Thu, Jul 13 and Mon, Jul 24 – Thu, Jul 27. Another offering is a 2-week residential program focusing on intensive language study with an introduction to traditional and modern culture. Japanese Language & Culture for High School Students (minimum age 15) meets Mon, Aug 7 – Fri, Aug 18. Contact: Janice Rogers, BIIC, 17-19 Cambridge Turnpike (Rte 2), Lincoln, MA 01773. Tel 781-266-3069; Fax 781-259-3156; Email [email protected].
BIIC seeks families/individuals to participate in a language and cultural exchange with college-aged Japanese students. On-campus events and off-campus visits are Jun – Aug. Contact: Janna Spinazola, BIIC. Tel 781-266-3026; Email [email protected].
LANGUAGE WORKSHOP OPPORTUNITIES
The Japan Foundation offers 2 summer workshops to K-12 Japanese language teachers, one in Santa Monica, CA and another in Urawa, Japan. Both programs include principles and application, text analysis and supplementary materials, teaching plan design, and simulated teaching practice, and require an application postmark deadline of Fri, Mar 20. Tuition is free for both programs. The Santa Monica program bears expenses for lodging, daily meal allowance, and airfare. The Urawa program covers lodging and meals, expenses for cultural events, daily transportation and miscellaneous allowances, and overseas travel accident insurance; participants are responsible for airfare and other personal expenses. For applications and specifics of the program, contact FCCEAS. Tel 413-585-3751, Fax 413-585-3748, Email [email protected].
Japan-America Society of Connecticut
