CJLEA Newsletter  
A publication of the Colorado Japanese Language Education Association
April 2001
The CJLEA Newsletter encourages articles of interest to instructors, researchers, administrators and students at all educational levels on theory, research, and classroom practice in language teaching. Articles dealing with pedagogical strategies, materials and curriculum development, language teaching technology, the teaching of literature, assessment, community awareness projects and international studies would be equally welcome; the foregoing list illustrates the range of concerns that might be addressed in submissions. We welcome manuscripts from teachers at all levels. Contact Keaton or Slotsve. We also welcome comments and/or suggestions.

CJLEA Spring Assembly Report

CJLEA members and guests gathered at Colorado State University on March 31st. The theme was "Japanese as a Foreign Language in the 21st Century: Vision and Direction." It was a very exciting day. Many ideas and issues were exchanged. We had a great time. We thank those of you who gave share sessions to inform and educate us, members.

Our heartfelt thanks go out to Mako Beecken, Yoshiko Kuno and Kuniko Matsuura-Cassidy for hosting the assembly. We are particularly grateful to Colorado State University, especially to Dr. Sara M. Saz, Department Chair of Foreign Languages and Literatures, Dr. Bob Hoffert, Dean of College of Liberal Arts, and Dr. Rob Allerheiligen, Chair of Asian Studies Board, for providing us with facilities and funding to help with this event.

The fall assembly is scheduled on October 6th. Mark your calendar!

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Colorado Japan Bowl Results

Colorado Japan Bowl sponsored by Japan America Society of Colorado was held at the University of Denver on March 10th.

The winners are:

High School Level II - Bear Creek H.S. (Teacher: Kimbery Levine)
High School Level III - Boulder H.S. (Teacher:Mike Kleinkopf)
High School Level VI - Fair View H.S. (Teacher:Yuka Hasegawa)
College Level - Colorado State Universiy (Teacher:Yoshiko Kuno)

These teams will be competing at the 9th Annual National Japan Bowl in Washington D.C. on April 14th. みなさん、がんばってください。

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Colorado Speech Contest Report
by Minori Murata

第１４回国際交流基金主催のスピーチ・コンテストは、３月１７日、コロラド大学ボルダ−校で雪の降る中行われました。三月、コロラド で雪が降ることは珍しくないにもかかわらず、前日まで雪の心配をしていなかったの で、けっこうあわてました。当日、お手伝いしてくれることになっていた人達も時間 通りに到着せず、雪だから始まるのが少し遅れるかもと思っていましたが、他の方々はどんどん到着し始めて、、、、。　 　

そんなこんなでバタバタしても、なんとか始まってなんとか進行して、終わってし まうものなのですね。これも、みなさまのご協力のおかげです。本当にありがとうご ざいました。反省点、改善点は山のようにありますが、一つ一つ考えていきたいと 思っていますので、今後ともご協力お願いいたします。 来年は、高校や、ほかの大学からの参加を期待しています。

入賞者と学校名は以下のとおりです。
The prize winners and institutions are the following:

College Beginning Level
1. Mary Hendrix, Pikes Peak Community College
2. Peter Brockwell, Colorado State University
2. Michael Leverington, Pikes Peak Community College

College Intermediate Level
1. Justin Maki, University of Colorado at Boulder
2. Tammy Sedbery, Pikes Peak Community College
3. Abigail Mack, Colorado State University

College Advanced I Level
1. Sheri Le, Colorado State University
2. Nicole Fujiyama, Colorado State University
3. Jessica Oppenheim, Colorado State University

College Advanced II Level
1. Erika Porter, Colorado State University
2. Jennifer Davey, Colorado State University
3. Ben Thomas, Colorado State University

Special Prize
Tristan Kenyon-Schultz, Colorado State University

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Competition and field trip to Denver
(from Wyoming!)  by Kaoru Slotsve

私が住んでいる町、キャスパーは荒野にぽつんとある人口五万人の町。日本関係のものといえば、週末だけの寿司レストランしかないので、私の日本語クラスの生徒を対象に、日本文化体験を目的とした一泊旅行を計画し、二年目の今年は二つの高校から28人が参加。以下は、その旅行のダイジェスト版です。

お昼ご飯をデンバーの日本食レストランで取るために、朝の五時すぎにキャスパーを出発。片道、五時間。デンバーの南にある"侍"レストランで、生徒の大半は初めての日本食に挑戦。"Sensee, what's this?" "How do I eat this?" わさびを固まりで食べてしまった子、天つゆにお寿司を浸して食べる子、刺身や豆腐をなにもつけずに食べる子、、、来年は、日本食の食べ方を事前にレクチャーしなければ、と痛感。このレストランは、日本的なものがいろいろと入ったスペシャルメニューをわざわざ考えてくれ、とても暖かい応対をしてくれました。おすすめです。

次にサクラスクエアにあるお寺へ。とてもお話の上手な住職？さんのおかげで、生徒たちは居眠りもせず、興味津々で、仏教や、仏壇、仏具、お経に関する話を聞いていました。生徒全員、大きくて、きらびやかな仏壇？にかなり驚いていた模様。

デンバーアートミュージアムには、アジア美術のフロアがあり、ガイドをつけてくれるよう事前に頼んでおきました。茶道や、甲冑、刀に関しては、子供たちが実際に触って体験できます。

デンバーの日本領事館では、まず始めに「ここのオフィスは、日本の領土ですよ。みなさんは、今、日本にいるんですよ。」と言われ、びっくり。領事からのあいさつや、実際に領事館で働いているアメリカ人職員の方から日本語や日本での生活に関する体験談をきき、それからは剣道のデモンストレーション。空手や合気道はうちの町でも教室がありますが、剣道は州には皆無。みんな、真剣に見ていましたね。折り紙や、日本的な絵柄のマウスパッドなどをおみやげをもらい、それから歩いて、日本マーケットへ。

サクラマーケットでは、みんな、きゃあきゃあ言いながら、いろいろ買い込んでいたようです。日本のお菓子、お茶碗、お箸、お茶、などが人気でした。昼御飯で、たこのおいしさにとりこになった生徒は、ゆでだこを買っていました。。。。

この日の晩は、フラットアイアンクロッシングという新しいモールに行きましたが、男の子は、剣道に感化されたのか、竹刀やら、木刀なんか買っていました。次の日はデンバー大学でのジャパンボウルに参加。コンペティションのほかにも、習字や、茶道など体験できる機会があります。なかなか、そういった文化を教えたり、体験してもらう時間が高校では作れないので、私にとっても助かりました。

ジャパンボウルの後は、計画していたオーシャンジャーニー（水族館）へは停電のため入場できず、生徒からの要望でふたたびモールへ行き、キャスパーに着いたのは夜の10時。楽しかったですが、疲れました。。。

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April WWW Resources:

Hanami (花見) 

Greenery Day (緑の日)   

Golden Week (ゴールデン・ウィーク)   

These are a few examples of what you find on the Internet. You may conduct your own search using search engines. One of the recommended is Google.

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Monthly Member Biography

Takako Clark

My name is Takako (Kathy) Clark. I am a Japanese language professor in the foreign language department at Adams State College. My position is part time. I have been a member of the Colorado Japanese Language Education Association for four years. My home town is Monte Vista, Colorado, however, I was born and raised in Sapporo, Japan. Sapporo was once called Ezo and the natives were called Ainu. Sapporo means "dry flat land" in the Ainu language. There are many famous historical landmarks in the city. I went to a private college in Sapporo where I studied and obtained my degree in economics. After which, I applied for a job with the CIA. During this time, I also entered an English typing school and received a certificate from this school. I was also involved in church activities. While I was a member of the Army camp church choir, I met my future husband. This was one of the most exciting moments of my life. We were married in the Army Hospital Chapel in downtown Sapporo. We came to the United States after the Korean war when he was discharged from the Army. Guess what year that was?

I received my U.S. citizenship two and a half years later. I was motivated to pursue my education and enrolled at Adams State College (ASC). I received a B.A. in Secondary Education (major in art and minor in business) and a M.A. in art. About this time, I had a request from some Japanese American Citizen League (J.A.C.L.) members and their families to teach them the Japanese language. I realized how important it was for them, as Sansei, to learn the language and I wanted to do my best for them. I contacted ASC and set up a Japanese class through their Extension Program. At the same time, I searched for some type of job in my major and minor areas. Luckily, I found an opportunity to become a boutique shop owner. I owned this business for ten years and was able to use my management skills and fashion sense.

I continue to have a desire to teach the Japanese language and calligraphy because I enjoy being an educator so much. By the way, I have the qualifications to teach calligraphy in Japan. It is very exciting for me to be able to teach this each semester at ASC.

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Online Exercises: Listening Comprehension
by Ryoko Yoshida Keaton

I have been developing courseware and online exercises for Guajardo sensei at the United States Air Force Academy. One of the listening exercises is Elementary Level Listening Comprehention Exercises.

Currently there are 26 exercises, ranging from Introduction to Public Transportation. Students will see a cute picture which Guajardo sensei created on the left hand side and multiple chioces on the right hand side. Clicking the picture will start the audio file to play. For quick feedback, a pop-up window will be displayed when a radio button is clicked.

CJLEA members are welcome to use the exercises. Click here to go to the index page. Please note that Internet Explorer is highly recommended to view these pages. E-mail comments to Yumiko Guajardo or Ryoko Keaton.

I will introduce more online exercises that are available to CJLEA members in the future issues.

To download Internet Explorer for Windows, click here. For Macintosh, click here.

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Candidate Available

Atsuko Ooura, Looking for a teaching position in CO

TEL/FAX: (614) 438-0119
E-mail: a.ooura@worldnet.att.net

I have six years of experience teaching Japanese in the United States and an additional three years of experience teaching English at a middle school in Japan.

In 1992, I had the opportunity and privilege to work with Mr. Fred Lorish at South Eugene High School in Oregon. Through team teaching, I was able to gain extensive experiences as well as improve my skills in developing curriculum and teaching materials, and managing the classroom efficiently. In the same year, I completed an intensive training program for Japanese teachers at University of Oregon under the supervision of Dr. Hiroko Kataoka.

After I earned a M.S. in TESOL from Central Connecticut State University in 1996, I taught Japanese for three years to a variety of ages and grade levels at a public elementary school in Norwalk, Connecticut. Subsequently, I taught Japanese at an intensive Japanese program for high school students which was founded by the state of Connecticut. Then , at Central Connecticut University, I worked with Dr. Shizuko Tomoda, a Japanese professor at CCSU, to develop a lesson plan, curriculum and conduct oral-aural assessments. Since 1999, I have been working at an elementary school in Columbus, Ohio as a full-time Japanese teacher. In all these teaching situations, I have successfully raised the students・ motivation to learn Japanese, which is perceived to be a difficult language, by combining several different methodologies according to students・levels and needs. I am also certified in Japanese both in Connecticut and Ohio.

In summary, during the past nine years my teaching experience has ranged from elementary schools to colleges. Each different teaching situation offered me a broader scope of responsibilities and the opportunity to utilize my expertise as effectively as possible. My past experience can be successfully drawn upon in a teaching capacity to motivate students at any level. I feel I have the expertise, willingness for further personal development, interest, and patience required to work with students, and I am confident I could become a valuable asset to any school.

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CU Offers Summer Intensive Japanese Language Courses

The University of Colorado at Boulder will offer JPNS 1010, 1020, 2110, 2120, 3110, and 3120--elementary, intermediate, and advanced Japanese language courses--this summer. First summer session (and the first semester of each course) runs from June 4 to July 6. Second summer session is from July 10 to August 10. EALC faculty will be happy to advise about the appropriate course level to meet student needs.

The team-taught, small-class format maximizes interaction among teachers and students, creating a learning community that helps with the individual and collection learning process. The communicative and collaborative approach facilitates rapid development of oral and written communication skills. Student-centered activities promote development of learner autonomy. A variety of electronic instructional programs at the Anderson Language Technology Center will be incorporated into the instruction. In addition to classroom and lab work, cultural activities involving the local community will be part of the curriculum.

We welcome students throughout Colorado into our classes. Please pass the word about the availability of these classes!

Call 303-492-6639 for further information about these courses or to schedule a placement discussion with a faculty member. For registration information, call the registrar's office at 303-492-5148 or order a catalogue at www.colorado.edu/sacs/catalog/cat_order.html

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CU welcomes applicants to MA tracks in Japanese

The Department of East Asian Languages and Civilizations offers the MA in East Asian Languages with specialization in either Japanese language and literature or Japanese language and civilization. Students in either track complete 30 graduate credits, of which 9 credits may be elected from relevant courses in other departments.

Students in the Japanese language and literature track focus on the reading of texts--literary, historical, religious, etc.--in the original language. They learn not only a body of literature, but also appropriate techniques for interpreting that literature in its own cultural context and explicating it in a manner accessible to both specialists and non-specialists. Precise analysis and translation skills are stressed.

Students in the language and civilization track select from courses centering on an understanding of the workings of the Japanese language in society. The focus is on achieving a mastery of the concepts of linguistic analysis and their application to the Japanese language.

In addition, it is possible for students to complete the requirements for Japanese Secondary Teacher Certification concurrently with the MA degree.

Applicants to the graduate program should have completed the equivalent of the CU undergraduate major in Japanese, with language skills at approximately the Level 2 range of the 日本語能力試験. Students without this background may be admitted conditionally.

Laurel Rasplica Rodd, Professor of Japanese and Graduate Director, would be happy to consult with prospective students about the CU programs and their academic goals. You can reach her at 303-492-1138 or rodd@spot.colorado.edu, or you may call the EALC department at 303-492-6639 for copies of program brochures and application forms.

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Upcoming Conferences & Events

April

May

June

July ~

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Links to Professional Organizations

Japanese Language:

Foreign Languages

Computer Assisted (Language) Learning

Others

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Membership and Renewal

Please consider our invitation to join or renew membership in the Colorado Japanese Language Education Association (CJLEA). The aims of the Association are to promote interest in and improve the quality of instruction of Japanese language at all levels in the state of Colorado, and to provide for the professional/educational growth of the membership. The CJLEA was established in April 1995, with a grant from the Japan Foundation Language Center. Among the benefits of membership are receiving a newsletter, attending events and networking with Japanese educators and other professionals.

Membership is open to teachers and students of Japanese language and others interested in Japanese language and culture education.
Membership and Renewal Form

For additional information, please contact:
Joan E. Ericson, CJLEA Co-President
jericson@coloradocollege.edu
or
Ryoko Yoshida Keaton, CJLEA Co-President
Ryoko.Keaton@tbr-inc.com

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This web page was designed and crafted by
Ryoko Yoshida Keaton, Transpacific Business Resources, Inc.

Disclaimer: Links are information purposes only. CJLEA and TBR are not responsible for the contents of the sites linked from this page.