Japanese Teachers' Association of NSW


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October 2008 Newsletter

Hi Everyone

Hope you all had an enjoyable break and are refreshed and ready for what I am sure will be another busy and eventful term.

President's Greeting

My name is Leanne Smith. I have been teaching Japanese for 16 years and have very recently switched schools. I am now teaching Japanese at St. Columba's High School in the beautiful Blue Mountains.

First of all, on behalf of all the members of JTAN, I would like to express our appreciation to all the outgoing Committee members for all the amazing work they have done. I would like to especially thank Teruko Sharif, founding president for her dedication and commitment, which has made JTAN the fabulous organisation it is. Thank you Miki for your work in the past year, and in supporting me in my new role. I certainly have some very big shoes to fill...

JTAN has been providing resources and workshops of the highest quality since 2005. As a teacher who has spent most of her time teaching junior students, I would like to see the expansion of JTAN, in meeting the needs and interests of a wider range of teachers, across all year groups and regions.

Ask not what JTAN can do for you, but what you can do for JTAN! The strength of JTAN lies in its membership. The more all teachers contribute, the more there is for all of us to benefit from. One area that facilitates this fabulous sharing is the teaching and assessment section of our website. Those of you who know me, know how passionate I am about the power of technology to engage and inspire students. I invite you all to take a break (with your favourite beverage in hand) and explore the teaching and assessment section. I have just downloaded the most fascinating work on Japanese music to use with my students. Maybe while you are downloading resources, you could upload one of your own for others to use.

As your president, I am here to serve all of you. The committee is very eager to hear your requests, ideas and wishes for 2009. (I feel like a Japanese teaching Santa Claus!) Thank you for your membership. If you know someone who has not joined yet - ask them: 'why not?'!

Leanne Smith?
President

AGM

The AGM was held on 11th October, where JTAN's direction for 2009 was discussed and the new committee members elected. The new committee members are as follows:

President: Leanne Smith (St Columba's High School)
Vice President: Helen Sarantopoulos (Georges River College)
Secretary: Elizabeth Sugimoto (North Sydney Boys High School)
Treasurer (Payments): Ken Gillespie (Fort Street High School)
Treasurer (Receipts): Monica Wei (casual at present)
Exam Director: Naoko Henschke (Kambala)
Communications Officer: Aaron McLuckie (MLC School)

The new committee and all JTAN members would like to sincerely thank the 2007-2008 committee members for their dedication to JTAN and Japanese teaching.

The new committee is looking forward to working with all members in the coming year. If you have any questions, requests, ideas or enquiries, please don't hesitate to contact the Secretary at PO Box 419, Belrose 2085 or email enquire@jtan.org.au.

The minutes of the AGM and contact details of the new committee members have been uploaded to the website (www.jtan.org.au)

A big congratulations to Teruko Sharif who won the fantastic return airline economy class ticket to Tokyo. Enjoy!!

Outgoing President's Report

Miki Alves' 2007 - 2008 president's report has been attached to this newsletter and is also uploaded on the website, under the AGM tab.

Proposed Events Calendar for 2009

JTAN is proposing to run the following events in 2009.

Before the end of this school year we will advise you of more details and costs so that your school can plan for 2009

Date Workshop Held at
Sat 7th March 2009 Extension Workshop for STUDENTS for 2 hours dealing with exam type questions and answers followed by 1 hour presentation for TEACHERS on extracts 2-4 Japan Foundation Sydney
Sat 13th June 2009 Year 12 Continuers Day for STUDENTS (Speaking and Listening Practice). There will be a morning and afternoon sessions NSBHS
Wed 1st July 2009 Year 10 Day Sydney University
Early August 2009 (1st Sat Term3) Year 12 Beginners Day for STUDENTS TBA
Term 3 Date TBA Junior IT Workshop for TEACHERS TBA
TBA AGM Workshop TBA

Extension In-service

The Extension in-service, held on 11th October, was an outstanding professional development opportunity for all 49 participating teachers. The number of attending teachers clearly reflects their commitment to thorough preparation before the commencement of the new course in 2009.

JTAN would like to sincerely thank, Jacqueline Meunier, former president of the French Teachers Association, who presented a session on film technique questions in the HSC context, as well as linking them to the prescribed issues. Jacqueline's knowledge and expertise are invaluable and we thank her greatly for her dedication in supporting Japanese teachers.

Teruko Sharif presented a session on preparing students on how to answer Question 2 of the examination. This was a very informative session and the accompanying comprehensive 'Guide for Teachers' that Teruko created is an invaluable resource that all participants will be able to utilize when teaching the new course.

Mami Izuishi's presentation on different approaches to teaching the new course was interesting and extremely useful. The main focus of the session was presenting logical and coherent arguments. Participants were able to see the practical application of these approaches by working in groups on sample questions based on the new prescribed issues.

All teachers who attended the in-service received a CD, which contained an amazing amount of resources. Members are reminded that the 'Reference Notes' and sample questions are for teacher use only and it is requested that these notes not to be given to students.

I am sure all participating teachers would like to thank, Y. Abe, P. Arkel, M. Izuishi, C. Jin, J McKinlay, F. Roberts, L. Sugimoto and T. Sharif for their endless and tireless effort in creating this fantastic resource. If you were unable to attend the in-service, JTAN is planning another extension workshop in Term 1 focusing on extracts 2 - 4.

Extension extracts amended

The four transcript extracts from Spirited Away prescribed for study by the Board of Studies for Japanese Extension have been amended. These amended extracts should now replace the hard copies teachers received at DET Extension workshops last term, as well as the transcripts on the new Extension CD-ROMs that are being sent out to schools by the DET. Copies of these amendments have been attached to this Newsletter email.

Extension Listening Scripts

We all need to help each other with the new Extension Course so could budding writers please take note.....JTAN would like to produce an Extension Listening CD so we would ask members to consider contributing scripts for inclusion in the CD. Scripts should last for less than 1 minute and have relevant questions.

Please send the scripts by email to Teruko Sharif at teruko.sharif@staloysius.nsw.edu.au by 30th Nov.

PLEASE NOTE THAT CONTRIBUTORS WILL RECEIVE A FREE COPY OF THE CD!

JTAN Examination Papers

We are looking for expressions of interest from JTAN members to assist in writing the examination papers produced by JTAN. If you would like to be involved, please email Naoko Henschke at nhenschke@kambala.nsw.edu.au

Workshop Suggestions

The JTAN Committee is in the process of planning workshops and activities for next year. It is vital that these activities meet your needs. If you have any suggestions, please email enquire@jtan.org.au.

Enjoy the rest of the term,
Aaron McLuckie

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