#14 here is in Spanish (the others are Japanese)
http://www.youtube.
2009-12-27
mameshiba, mini dramas (about 10 seconds)
"Mameshiba" mini-cartoons (literally 'mame' =bean, 'shiba' =drama) are fun for students to view.
#14 here is in Spanish (the others are Japanese)
http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=4F7D4F3F2B624714&search_query=mameshiba
#14 here is in Spanish (the others are Japanese)
http://www.youtube.
2009-12-15
artful rice cultivation
Inakadate Aomori (map included), http://www.google.com/search?q=Inakadate+of+Aomori+&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a
official local government site, http://www.vill.inakadate.aomori.jp/
photos & summary, http://www.hemmy.net/2007/09/23/rice-field-art/
On YouTube, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wEr3FLAxmHU&feature=related
Rice paddy and removal news, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0sfXWlytS1k
"Rice Paddy Art" (video list) for YouTube
example, 2009 rice paddy art
, [The theme : Warlords & Napoleon]
official local government site, http://www.vill.
photos & summary, http://www.hemmy.net/2007/09/23/rice-field-art/
On YouTube, http://www.youtube.
Rice paddy and removal news, http://www.youtube.
"Rice Paddy Art" (video list) for YouTube
example, 2009 rice paddy art
, [The theme : Warlords & Napoleon]2009-12-09
new years cards & YouTube
re: nengajo and the zodiac
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dn0W1sbQCWE
also, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yRrzZYJUx7I
animated card for the Tiger Year 2010
http://www.youtube.
also, http://www.youtube.
animated card for the Tiger Year 2010
2009-11-25
radio story, 'herbivore' men of Japan
feature story on National Public Radio by Louisa Lim,
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120696816
[here is the opening text]
The sensitive New Age man has finally arrived in the land of the salaryman. But there is a catch — a particularly important one in Japan, where the declining birthrate has caused alarm: The new Japanese man doesn't appear to be interested in women or sex.
In Tokyo on the weekends, the trendy area of Harajuku is a melting pot of urban tribes: Lolita goths bat their fake eyelashes, while the punks glower.
Away from the strutting are the retiring wallflowers, a quiet army of sweet young men with floppy hair and skinny jeans. These young men are becoming known as Japan's "herbivores" — from the Japanese phrase for "grass-eating boys" — guys who are heterosexual but who say they aren't really interested in matters of the flesh.
... [see also the video illustrating typical "herbivores"] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q885V-lviCA
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120696816
[here is the opening text]
The sensitive New Age man has finally arrived in the land of the salaryman. But there is a catch — a particularly important one in Japan, where the declining birthrate has caused alarm: The new Japanese man doesn't appear to be interested in women or sex.
In Tokyo on the weekends, the trendy area of Harajuku is a melting pot of urban tribes: Lolita goths bat their fake eyelashes, while the punks glower.
Away from the strutting are the retiring wallflowers, a quiet army of sweet young men with floppy hair and skinny jeans. These young men are becoming known as Japan's "herbivores" — from the Japanese phrase for "grass-eating boys" — guys who are heterosexual but who say they aren't really interested in matters of the flesh.
... [see also the video illustrating typical "herbivores"] http://www.youtube.
2009-11-14
video archive online - Buddhism
Here is an interesting collection of stories and images, not limited to Japan; some is commercial and other is donated by private videographers. The link is an overview of all content with the option to view.
http://creator.zoho.com/richard_huang/rsvap/#View:RSVAP_Inventory
Or go to the video-media only drop-down list of titles,
http://socserv.mcmaster.ca/rowemar/video_archive/demo.htm
http://creator.zoho.com/richard_huang/rsvap/#View:RSVAP_Inventory
Or go to the video-media only drop-down list of titles,
http://socserv.mcmaster.ca/rowemar/video_archive/demo.htm
2009-11-11
2009-11-09
more about book, Tokyo Vice (author interview)
Recently the investigative TV show at www.cbs.com called "60 minutes" broadcast a feature story with author Jake Adelstein about his memoir. This many not be suitable reading for most young people, but it surely is one part of one's cultural education to become "an educated speaker of Japanese" for older students and for teachers as well.
Today he spoke on the radio show from Philadelphia WHYY, Fresh Air:
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120237244
Today he spoke on the radio show from Philadelphia WHYY, Fresh Air:
An American In Japan, Investigating The 'Tokyo Vice'
Working for Japan's Yomiuri Shinbun newspaper, reporter Jake Adelstein uncovered a world unknown to many of the Japanese public, let alone to foreigners: the world of organized crime. He details its landscape — and the dangers of covering it — in a new memoir.http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120237244
2009-11-02
investigative TV, "cbs 60 minutes" - YAKUZA
about FBI deal with a leader of the Yakuza who traded his contacts and financial resources to obtain priority in a liver transplant in USA; aired Nov. 1, 2009
2009-10-30
basic word list (translated from "Basic English," 1932 Ch. Ogden)
English term on the right, Japanese (machine translation/literal translation) on the left.
http://tinyurl.com/8fiftyjp
http://tinyurl.
2009-10-28
2009-10-27
more vocabulary online
standard vocab lists (Matsukaze Nihongo Annai) http://www.matsu-kaze.net/
It has very comprehensive lists on a wide variety of topics.
It has very comprehensive lists on a wide variety of topics.
2009-10-21
Japan video (audio slideshows)
Tour of Nara, http://nextvista.org/tour_of_Nara
The video player webpage also lists 5-6 other videos, including Nagasaki and Omura.
(in English)
2009-10-18
vocabulary activities
http://members.shaw.ca/funwithwordsinjapanese/ [samples online from the CD-rom source]
...This resource is a supplementary resource using many of the vocabulary topics covered in beginner-level textbooks, [so] it can complement whatever program you use in your class... The CD-Rom includes both English and Japanese explanations as well as handouts to go with the activities (about 280 pages per language if you print everything out).
List of the 65 activities included
A. Numbers / Time
Numbers Game, Number Pictures, Sudoku / Kanadoku, Guess the
Number, Dominoes, Vocabulary Bingo, Time, Calendar Game, Date Game
B. Myself / Daily Life
Profile, Schedule, My Day, Daily
Life Game, Survey, Interview Bingo, Family Feud Game, Family Game, Character
Chart, Pay Day Game, Face Game, Fashion, Fortune Teller, Omikuji, Horoscope,
Psychology Game
C. School / My Neighbourhood
Interior Design, My Town, Create a
Town, Labels, My Bag, Memory Game, Class Item Game, Treasure Hunt, I Spy...,
Schools, Please Stand Up
D. Shopping / Dining
Price is Right Game, Collections,
Present Game, Refrigerator, Restaurant
E. Travel & Others
Suitcase, Travel Schedules, Pamphlets, Planning, Professions
Game, Health Check, Animals, Writing Comics, Reading Manga
F. Activities Using Various Vocabulary
Category Game, Shiritori Game, Transformation Game, Kana
Race, Rensou Game, Puzzles, Scrabble, Tic Tac Toe, Board Game, Guinness Game,
Trivia Game, Graphic Organizers, Dictionary, Let's Read!, Songs
...This resource is a supplementary resource using many of the vocabulary topics covered in beginner-level textbooks, [so] it can complement whatever program you use in your class... The CD-Rom includes both English and Japanese explanations as well as handouts to go with the activities (about 280 pages per language if you print everything out).
List of the 65 activities included
A. Numbers / Time
Numbers Game, Number Pictures, Sudoku / Kanadoku, Guess the
Number, Dominoes, Vocabulary Bingo, Time, Calendar Game, Date Game
B. Myself / Daily Life
Profile, Schedule, My Day, Daily
Life Game, Survey, Interview Bingo, Family Feud Game, Family Game, Character
Chart, Pay Day Game, Face Game, Fashion, Fortune Teller, Omikuji, Horoscope,
Psychology Game
C. School / My Neighbourhood
Interior Design, My Town, Create a
Town, Labels, My Bag, Memory Game, Class Item Game, Treasure Hunt, I Spy...,
Schools, Please Stand Up
D. Shopping / Dining
Price is Right Game, Collections,
Present Game, Refrigerator, Restaurant
E. Travel & Others
Suitcase, Travel Schedules, Pamphlets, Planning, Professions
Game, Health Check, Animals, Writing Comics, Reading Manga
F. Activities Using Various Vocabulary
Category Game, Shiritori Game, Transformation Game, Kana
Race, Rensou Game, Puzzles, Scrabble, Tic Tac Toe, Board Game, Guinness Game,
Trivia Game, Graphic Organizers, Dictionary, Let's Read!, Songs
2009-10-01
bento artful lunches
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SdhuPvNnv34&feature=player_embedded
"kyara-BEN" (pun on Caravan? + BENto box)
"kyara-BEN" (pun on Caravan? + BENto box)
2009-09-29
Japan Kit (artifact box of cultural materials)
Japan Culture Kits
The Center for Japanese Studies (CJS) at the University of Michigan has many resources available for the K-14 educator, including our "Japan Kits." These kits are organized around five broad themes and are free to use, requiring only a $50 refundable damage/replacement deposit and return shipping cost. For the language teacher, each kit will be supplemented with a "mini-kit," including Japanese games, videos, and manga. The following kits can be reserved for use in your classroom by contacting Heather C. Littlefield at hclittle@umich.edu, or calling 734.764.2302:
Customs & Traditions; Contemporary & Popular Culture; Folk Tales, Myths, and Cross-cultural Experiences; and, Food & Society Please visit the CJS website for more information: http://www.ii.umich.edu/cjs/resources/teacherres.
2009-09-21
anime "Ponyo" (bonus Assignment)
thanks to Sachiko R.
http://renovich.blogspot.com/2009/09/ponyo-is-now-playing-in-local-theatres.html
[click link to Bonus Assignment, MS-Word document]
http://renovich.blogspot.com/2009/09/ponyo-is-now-playing-in-local-theatres.html
[click link to Bonus Assignment, MS-Word document]
2009-09-15
words and tune, "shiki no uta"
The words and the music for Shiki no Uta are in the Files section of Sensei Online.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/senseionline/files/
Fun song for the class to sing together with a guitar.
[C.Meyer]
http://groups.
Fun song for the class to sing together with a guitar.
[C.Meyer]
2009-09-08
quick-Kana online exercise
simple training program to improve student's recognition speed of kana
http://tell.fll.purdue.edu/hatasa/QuickKana/
http://tell.fll.purdue.edu/hatasa/QuickKana/
2009-09-07
online via Public Radio International (movie content)
Recreating Pre-War Nagasaki in 3D
Wednesday, September 02, 2009 
Students at the University of Nagasaki are attempting to recreate a community that a nuclear weapon destroyed. The Urakami neighborhood in Nagasaki was ground zero for the second atomic bomb the U-S dropped on Japan in World War Two. That attack killed 39-thousand people. And it destroyed most pictures of life in Urakami before the war. The students are recreating pre-war Urakami...with the help of memories and 3-D technology. Akiko Fujita sent us this short video. Hear her radio report here.
2009-09-03
winter break scholarship to Japan
The Youth for Understanding program is offering winter scholarships
for high school students to spend the winter break in Japan.
Details can be found online at
http://yfuusa.org/american-students/scholarships/japan-america-friendship-scholars-jafs---winter.php
______________________________________________________
Youth For Understanding USA (YFU USA) is proud to announce a new
short-term scholarship opportunity for students to study in Japan! As
educators, many of you are already familiar with YFU USA scholarship opportunities
for studying in Japan for a summer, semester or year. This year, a new winter
program has been introduced: the Winter Japan-America Friendship Scholars Program
(JAFS)!
This three-week Winter JAFS Program runs from December 26, 2009 to
January 16, 2010. Students will have an orientation prior to departure and
will then live with a host family. By living with host families, YFU students are
immersed in both the language and culture of Japan. JAFS Scholars will attend a
local Japanese school for one-week. JAFS scholars will also have the
opportunity to further their understanding of this complex culture by
participating in excursions to museums and other cultural events. Students will also be present
for the Japanese New Year celebration.
Students that will have completed at least one semester prior to departure on
program are eligible for this scholarship. There is a $1,700 program contribution.
The application deadline is September 21, 2009.
Marianna Di Meo, admissions@yfu DOTorg
Youth For Understanding USA, 1.800.TEENAGE
for high school students to spend the winter break in Japan.
Details can be found online at
http://yfuusa.org/american-students/scholarships/japan-america-friendship-scholars-jafs---winter.php
______________________________________________________
Youth For Understanding USA (YFU USA) is proud to announce a new
short-term scholarship opportunity for students to study in Japan! As
educators, many of you are already familiar with YFU USA scholarship opportunities
for studying in Japan for a summer, semester or year. This year, a new winter
program has been introduced: the Winter Japan-America Friendship Scholars Program
(JAFS)!
This three-week Winter JAFS Program runs from December 26, 2009 to
January 16, 2010. Students will have an orientation prior to departure and
will then live with a host family. By living with host families, YFU students are
immersed in both the language and culture of Japan. JAFS Scholars will attend a
local Japanese school for one-week. JAFS scholars will also have the
opportunity to further their understanding of this complex culture by
participating in excursions to museums and other cultural events. Students will also be present
for the Japanese New Year celebration.
Students that will have completed at least one semester prior to departure on
program are eligible for this scholarship. There is a $1,700 program contribution.
The application deadline is September 21, 2009.
Marianna Di Meo, admissions@yfu DOTorg
Youth For Understanding USA, 1.800.TEENAGE
online video, elementary school in Japan
Time for School Series (12 year project, started in 2002 & ending with graduation; 7 countries)
>>Benin, Brazil, education, India, Japan, Kenya, Romania
2003 [first day at Saho Elementary, age 6, first 10 minutes of program]
Time for School, http://www.pbs.org/wnet/wideangle/episodes/time-for-school-series/full-episode-time-for-school/667/
2006 [Benin & Japan, Nara, age 9 - starting at minute 7 of segment]
http://www.pbs.org/wnet/wideangle/episodes/time-for-school-series/full-episode-back-to-school/272/
2009 Time for School 3 is not yet posted online
[from the intro page, http://www.pbs.org/wnet/wideangle/episodes/time-for-school-series/introduction/4340/]
These children's stories put a human face on the shocking fact that more than 75 million children are currently out of school; of these, two thirds are girls. One in four children in developing countries does not complete five years of basic education, and there are nearly one billion illiterate adults — one-sixth of the world's people. WIDE ANGLE plans to continue revisiting all the children, and their peers and families, through 2015, the year they should graduate — and, not coincidentally, the U.N.'s target date for achieving universal education, a Millennium Development goal endorsed by all 191 members of the United Nations.
While each child in Time for School 3 has a unique story, taken together their lives tell an epic tale, shedding light on one of the most urgent and under-reported stories of our time.
>>Benin, Brazil, education, India, Japan, Kenya, Romania
2003 [first day at Saho Elementary, age 6, first 10 minutes of program]
Time for School, http://www.pbs.org/wnet/wideangle/episodes/time-for-school-series/full-episode-time-for-school/667/
2006 [Benin & Japan, Nara, age 9 - starting at minute 7 of segment]
http://www.pbs.org/wnet/wideangle/episodes/time-for-school-series/full-episode-back-to-school/272/
2009 Time for School 3 is not yet posted online
[from the intro page, http://www.pbs.org/wnet/wideangle/episodes/time-for-school-series/introduction/4340/]
These children's stories put a human face on the shocking fact that more than 75 million children are currently out of school; of these, two thirds are girls. One in four children in developing countries does not complete five years of basic education, and there are nearly one billion illiterate adults — one-sixth of the world's people. WIDE ANGLE plans to continue revisiting all the children, and their peers and families, through 2015, the year they should graduate — and, not coincidentally, the U.N.'s target date for achieving universal education, a Millennium Development goal endorsed by all 191 members of the United Nations.
While each child in Time for School 3 has a unique story, taken together their lives tell an epic tale, shedding light on one of the most urgent and under-reported stories of our time.
2009-08-30
using videos in Japanese class
B. Cooper, bridcoop Atyahoo.com ---I have study guides for Japanland, Shall We Dance, Tanpopo (remember-can't show all of this video in class!), Kodo: Hearbeat Drummers of Japan, Totoro, Swing Girls, Spirited Away and Howl's Moving Castle. I made most of them, although some are from Matt Hall and Michelle Martin.
A. McCarthy, Ann.MccarthyAt district196.org --- I have study guides for kokoyakyu (including a "jigsaw" reading activity that I use prior to the movie), and "denshano otoko". see also director's study guide, http://www.pbs.org/pov/kokoyakyu/
UPDATE: the study guides are also online now at
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/senseionline/files/
A. McCarthy, Ann.MccarthyAt district196.org --- I have study guides for kokoyakyu (including a "jigsaw" reading activity that I use prior to the movie), and "denshano otoko". see also director's study guide, http://www.pbs.org/pov/kokoyakyu/
UPDATE: the study guides are also online now at
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/senseionline/files/
2009-08-27
new textbook - DokoDemo Nihongo
Recently "Dokodemo Nihongo" appeared on the market, written by experienced AP Japanese language teachers. It takes "Doraemon" mannga format, which captures students attention, while maintaining solid content: dialogue development, writing, reading, vocabulary, cultural practice and products are introduced.
http://www.jptamerica.com/jtb/SE2/dokodemo/dokodemo.htm
http://www.jptamerica.com/jtb/SE2/dokodemo/dokodemo.htm
2009-08-26
dvds, Proficiency Test, free material - GENKI
from S.S.Online for August 26, 2009:
:::DVD sources
YESASIA, http://www.yesasia.com/us/en/home.html
CD-Japan, http://www.cdjapan.co.jp
GREAT place to find Japanese DS games--which work in the American Nintendo DS
http://www.play-asia.com
:::Japanese Language Proficiency Test
The JLPT format for December 2009 will still remain the same as the previous ones, but there will be an overall restructuring of the format from 2010 on.
You can download the detailed info on the new JLPT format in PDF from the following site:
http://www.jlpt.jp/j/about/new-jlpt.html
:::Free materials online
Most of my materials are keyed to the "Genki I" textbook, but you might find some things useful even if you don't use that book.
Podcasts for more in-depth explanations of the grammar notes in "Genki I":
http://tonysensei.com/groups/genkier-users/pages/listing-genkier-resources
On that page are also some vocabulary and kanji review decks for use with the flash card program Anki (http://ichi2.net/anki/).
Not all of the book is covered yet, but my goal is to have at least the grammar notes, vocabulary, and kanji for all of Volume I covered by the end of the US school year.
series of lessons in which students learn the grammar used in Japanese songs,
http://tonysensei.com/books/tony/japanese-through-music-chibi-here-we-go
[Tony Gonzalez, U Georgia]-creative commons license for free use of all material
:::DVD sources
YESASIA, http://www.yesasia.com/us/en/home.html
CD-Japan, http://www.cdjapan.co.jp
GREAT place to find Japanese DS games--which work in the American Nintendo DS
http://www.play-asia.com
:::Japanese Language Proficiency Test
The JLPT format for December 2009 will still remain the same as the previous ones, but there will be an overall restructuring of the format from 2010 on.
You can download the detailed info on the new JLPT format in PDF from the following site:
http://www.jlpt.jp/j/about/new-jlpt.html
:::Free materials online
Most of my materials are keyed to the "Genki I" textbook, but you might find some things useful even if you don't use that book.
Podcasts for more in-depth explanations of the grammar notes in "Genki I":
http://tonysensei.com/groups/genkier-users/pages/listing-genkier-resources
On that page are also some vocabulary and kanji review decks for use with the flash card program Anki (http://ichi2.net/anki/).
Not all of the book is covered yet, but my goal is to have at least the grammar notes, vocabulary, and kanji for all of Volume I covered by the end of the US school year.
series of lessons in which students learn the grammar used in Japanese songs,
http://tonysensei.com/books/tony/japanese-through-music-chibi-here-we-go
[Tony Gonzalez, U Georgia]-creative commons license for free use of all material
2009-08-22
kanji sources online
KANJI KAKIJUN JITEN, http://www.sikoku.jp/kanji/
and http://www.kids-print.net/kokugo/hitujyun.html
You can create kanji worksheets with strokes order.
Although it is developed for Japanese kids and the Kanjis are limited to "elementary school" level, it is quite useful.
See also, the FILES section of SenseiOnline, http://groups.yahoo.com/group/senseionline/files/
and http://www.kids-print.net/kokugo/hitujyun.html
You can create kanji worksheets with strokes order.
Although it is developed for Japanese kids and the Kanjis are limited to "elementary school" level, it is quite useful.
See also, the FILES section of SenseiOnline, http://groups.yahoo.com/group/senseionline/files/
2009-08-13
food stories, "delicious Japan"
as seen in the newsletter of the consulate general of Japan in Detroit:
Delicious NIPPON! is a series of eight English language programs on the cuisine of Japan. The series was produced by Japan's Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, and aired worldwide by NHK World TV earlier this year. You can view this series online via YouTube.
1. Japanese Cuisine
2. Rice
3. Seafood
4. Vegetables
5. Fruit
6. Gifts from the Forest
7. Wagyu Japanese Beef
8. Japanese Green Tea
9. Digest
Other videos by The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries of Japan may be viewed on their own YouTube Channel YouTube MAFF Channel
Delicious NIPPON! is a series of eight English language programs on the cuisine of Japan. The series was produced by Japan's Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, and aired worldwide by NHK World TV earlier this year. You can view this series online via YouTube.
1. Japanese Cuisine
2. Rice
3. Seafood
4. Vegetables
5. Fruit
6. Gifts from the Forest
7. Wagyu Japanese Beef
8. Japanese Green Tea
9. Digest
Other videos by The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries of Japan may be viewed on their own YouTube Channel YouTube MAFF Channel
2009-07-25
Where Japanese is spoken worldwide
Brazil has the largest population of Japanese outside of Japan, but it is less than 1%.see CIA Factbook: https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/
Japanese is an official language in Japan and Palau Islands on its southern island Angaur (a.k.a. Monkey Island.) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_official_languages#J
There are major Japanese speaking populations in places such as Australia, the U.S. (especially Hawaii and California), Taiwan, the Philippines, Peru, and Argentina. (this list is not exhaustive.) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_language
--------Judging from the languages offered at major tourist locations, Japanese can be a useful 2nd or 3rd language, as well. And since there are so many expatriot Japanese living, working or studying overseas, one can find Japanese in many other places not listed, as well. Then there are the increasing numbers of foreign students and visiting researchers at Japanese universities who may reach a high level of proficience. When they return to their home countries they form still another population of Japanese speakers.
Note also the size of the publishing, broadcast, Web presence, too. And based on population alone, Japanese is among the top 10 languages.
Japanese is an official language in Japan and Palau Islands on its southern island Angaur (a.k.a. Monkey Island.) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_official_languages#J
There are major Japanese speaking populations in places such as Australia, the U.S. (especially Hawaii and California), Taiwan, the Philippines, Peru, and Argentina. (this list is not exhaustive.) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_language
--------Judging from the languages offered at major tourist locations, Japanese can be a useful 2nd or 3rd language, as well. And since there are so many expatriot Japanese living, working or studying overseas, one can find Japanese in many other places not listed, as well. Then there are the increasing numbers of foreign students and visiting researchers at Japanese universities who may reach a high level of proficience. When they return to their home countries they form still another population of Japanese speakers.
Note also the size of the publishing, broadcast, Web presence, too. And based on population alone, Japanese is among the top 10 languages.
2009-07-20
more panorama views - Fukui-ken; Hokkaido
There are about 130 wide views online. Please invite students and colleagues to browse these wide views from Fukui-ken and from Hokkaido.
http://picasaweb.google.com/big1file/Pano2009jp
http://picasaweb.google.com/big1file/Pano2009jp
2009-06-20
fresh photos - kanban, oshirase, word-play
includes colorful posters for Hokkaido University club membership days
http://picasaweb.google.com/eastasia108/StreetsignsInJapan#
______________________________________________________
some video clips, as well; one more round of uploads by middle July
http://picasaweb.google.com/usaviews/Japan09springSummer#
______________________________________________________
one more round of uploads by middle July
http://picasaweb.google.com/big1file/Pano2009jp#
additional wide views at http://tinyurl.com/jp09pano
(Fukui & Ishikawa-ken)
2009-06-14
2009-06-13
native speaker writers' help online
http://lang-8.com (Infinite Langauges) is a community of language learners who write in the language they study to have it checked by native speakers. The site isn't MEANT for a native speaker to TRANSLATE for you (just correct your mistakes).
2009-06-09
Daikagura from Ise (mini album)
http://laputa21.com/ise/daikagura.htm
is a short photo essay of the annual visit to Echizen-city (Fukui-ken) by a traveling group from Mie-ken. Recorded by staff at laputa21.com in Echizen-city (was Takefu) on June 7.
is a short photo essay of the annual visit to Echizen-city (Fukui-ken) by a traveling group from Mie-ken. Recorded by staff at laputa21.com in Echizen-city (was Takefu) on June 7.
2009-06-08
kanji strokes by on-screen animation
a new site for "Kanji Learning Using Animations"
http://www.sp.cis.iwate-u.ac.jp/icampus/u/upod.jsp
from students at Iwate University
http://www.sp.
from students at Iwate University
2009-06-06
first years together; mixed years after that
In times of shrinking enrollments, mixing students of different study years is sometimes necessay. But here are reasons to specially handle the entry level students.
[1 Y. Moorman] I have been teaching mixed-level Japanese classes over 30 years and every year the combinations change, yet I adamantly fight to keep the first year as one class...
I keep all the level on the same theme/topic at the same time... [this] keeps
me sane; not using different topics at the same time in the one classroom.
[2 E. Sullivan] My experience is keep your 1's by themselves! They are the most needy
and since they can't write for a while it is hard to give them independent work.
I had a 2/4 split three years ago, and even though it was crazy, I could still give
the 2's writing work or pair work while I taught the 4's and vice versa.
Also, the older kids can do more reading and writing as well as projects...
Also, it could hurt your program if it falls apart at the 1 level and they feel lost.
What is the number cut off to make a section? Ours is 20 to make a class.
[1 Y. Moorman] I have been teaching mixed-level Japanese classes over 30 years and every year the combinations change, yet I adamantly fight to keep the first year as one class...
I keep all the level on the same theme/topic at the same time... [this] keeps
me sane; not using different topics at the same time in the one classroom.
[2 E. Sullivan] My experience is keep your 1's by themselves! They are the most needy
and since they can't write for a while it is hard to give them independent work.
I had a 2/4 split three years ago, and even though it was crazy, I could still give
the 2's writing work or pair work while I taught the 4's and vice versa.
Also, the older kids can do more reading and writing as well as projects...
Also, it could hurt your program if it falls apart at the 1 level and they feel lost.
What is the number cut off to make a section? Ours is 20 to make a class.
2009-05-24
100 books to Understand Japan today
Cross-posting from H-Japan with titles and descriptions of books in English.
http://www.nippon-foundation.or.jp/eng/news/20090514BookDonationProject.html
At bottom center there is a "Application Materials" section.
The book list is an Excel file. Under that each book is discussed separately in PDF files.
The category IV languages like Japanese are difficult especially for the cultural and social meanings and unfamiliar contexts for Second Language Learners. So having this comprehensive list of titles for one's own reading, and for using with one's students is handy.
http://www.nippon-foundation.or.jp/eng/news/20090514BookDonationProject.html
At bottom center there is a "Application Materials" section.
The book list is an Excel file. Under that each book is discussed separately in PDF files.
The category IV languages like Japanese are difficult especially for the cultural and social meanings and unfamiliar contexts for Second Language Learners. So having this comprehensive list of titles for one's own reading, and for using with one's students is handy.
2009-05-17
old photos of Japan
http://oldphotosjapan.com/en
http://ruri.crara.cc/archives/504/
http://ruri.
- Nagasaki University Library Collection.
http://oldphoto.lb.nagasaki- u.ac.jp/en/ index.html
http://oldphoto.lb.nagasaki- u.ac.jp/en/ index.html
- Open Univeristy of Japan Library
http://opac.u-air.ac. jp/koshashin/ koshashin. html
National Diet Library, Japan
http://www.ndl.go.jp/scenery/ e/index.html
Search by Category
http://www.ndl.go.jp/scenery/ e/category/ index.html
Waseda University Library:
http://www.wul.waseda.ac. jp/TENJI/ virtual/farsari/ index.html
http://www.wul.waseda.ac. jp/TENJI/ virtual/farsari/ index2.html
Bakumatsu Shashin kan
http://www.dokidoki.ne.jp/home2/ quwatoro/ bakumatu. shtml
Edo Castle: interactive
http://edo.pro.tok2.com/ index.html
http://homepage3.nifty.com/ oohasi/siseki. html
Japanese Photograph
http://www.geocities.jp/photography 1862/index. html
http://www.geocities.jp/photography 1862/menu- tenjisitu. html
First man photographed in the US. (Kid's page)
http://www.jcii-cameramuseum. jp/kids/koshashi n/index.html
2009-05-16
kanji stroke order/audio (AP 410 kanji)
section for kanji for AP Japanese, http://gahoh.marinebat.com/
sound files for sample combinations of each kanji so students can hear correct pronunciations. There are more than 800 sound files.
authored by S. Shinagawa
sound files for sample combinations of each kanji so students can hear correct pronunciations. There are more than 800 sound files.
authored by S. Shinagawa
2009-05-12
next generation of Old Shamisen
The Yoshida Brothers. They play big Tsugaru-jamisen.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yoshida_Brothers
Tsugaru Jongara (a traditional music)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1i1FznZT7fU
http://en.wikipedia
Tsugaru Jongara (a traditional music)
http://www.youtube.
2009-05-03
remembering WWII (May 5, TV)
Annoucement of broadcast for May 5 in USA on Public Television; see also the new service for online viewing of selected programs at http://www.pbs.org/video in case they later offer it on demand (YouTube style).
From a different source, but relating to how memories are presented, see also the illustrated 2007 article about depictions of WWII in Japan and in USA, http://japanfocus.org/articles/print_article/2477 "Exhibiting World War II in Japan and the United States" by
Laura Hein and Akiko Takenaka.
Wings of Defeat, the award-winning documentary about surviving Kamikaze pilots, will make its long-awaited U.S. broadcast premiere on MAY 5th at 10pm on PBS' Emmy Award-winning program Independent Lens.
From a different source, but relating to how memories are presented, see also the illustrated 2007 article about depictions of WWII in Japan and in USA, http://japanfocus.org/articles/print_article/2477 "Exhibiting World War II in Japan and the United States" by
Laura Hein and Akiko Takenaka.
Wings of Defeat, the award-winning documentary about surviving Kamikaze pilots, will make its long-awaited U.S. broadcast premiere on MAY 5th at 10pm on PBS' Emmy Award-winning program Independent Lens.
2009-04-21
Teaching KANA with card game
Make a deck of cards with each card featuring one kana.
It's probably best to have two cards for each kana. But don't use ん
Students play in groups of 3 to 5 (more are possible, but waiting for your turn to come around get to be a bit long in the tooth).
Each student is dealt five cards.
The remaining cards are placed face down in a stack, and the top card from the stack is placed face up (beginning a new stack)
The first player can discard any card in his hand that matches either the 行 or the vowel sound of the face-up card.
Example: if the face up card is か, then the player can play any card from the か行: か き く け or こ, OR may play any "ah" sound kana: あ か さ た な は ま や ら or わ
If the player cannot play a card, then he or she must draw a card from the face-down deck. (I usually play with the rule that a drawn card may be played in the same turn).
The next player does the same thing, based on the previous player's card.
The goal is to discard all of you cards, and the first player to do so "wins". (really, its the player who learns the most that wins)
Usually, when a player is left with only one card after discarding, he or she must say "ICHI!" before the next player plays. If he or she fails to do so then he/she must draw four cards as penalty.
Other variations include:
-a player may play multiple cards of the same 行 in the same turn.
-cards of a particular 行 may have special characteristics: "reverse" "draw 2", etc.
It's a lot more fun than writing かかかかかかかかかかかかかかかかかかか time and time again, and a bit more effective I think. It engenders a lot of discussion about the subject, such that students learn "hey, I'm not the only person who confuses ぬねれ and わ", rather than struggling in isolation.
[J Dunn]
=-=-=-=-= more variations -- though not the first time. [R. Young]
1. Make an "n" card. It is a Wild Card and can be played on any card. The player names it (i.e. assigns it a kana value).
2. Playing a "ten-ten" or "maru" variant card (ga, gi, gu, etc.) automatically reverses the direction of the play.
3. The student has to say the name of his/her card aloud as she plays it. (Failure to do so... well, if you want to play hard... the player has to take his/her card back.)
4. A player who places a card that ends a word based on the previous card can say the word and its English meaning. This allows him to have another player of his choice to draw an extra card. For example: placing a "ba" after a "ka" makes "kaba" (hippo) or "shi" after "su" =
"sushi."
5. Instead of calling out "ICHI" when one card remains, how about "ICHIMAI!"
It's probably best to have two cards for each kana. But don't use ん
Students play in groups of 3 to 5 (more are possible, but waiting for your turn to come around get to be a bit long in the tooth).
Each student is dealt five cards.
The remaining cards are placed face down in a stack, and the top card from the stack is placed face up (beginning a new stack)
The first player can discard any card in his hand that matches either the 行 or the vowel sound of the face-up card.
Example: if the face up card is か, then the player can play any card from the か行: か き く け or こ, OR may play any "ah" sound kana: あ か さ た な は ま や ら or わ
If the player cannot play a card, then he or she must draw a card from the face-down deck. (I usually play with the rule that a drawn card may be played in the same turn).
The next player does the same thing, based on the previous player's card.
The goal is to discard all of you cards, and the first player to do so "wins". (really, its the player who learns the most that wins)
Usually, when a player is left with only one card after discarding, he or she must say "ICHI!" before the next player plays. If he or she fails to do so then he/she must draw four cards as penalty.
Other variations include:
-a player may play multiple cards of the same 行 in the same turn.
-cards of a particular 行 may have special characteristics: "reverse" "draw 2", etc.
It's a lot more fun than writing かかかかかかかかかかかかかかかかかかか time and time again, and a bit more effective I think. It engenders a lot of discussion about the subject, such that students learn "hey, I'm not the only person who confuses ぬねれ and わ", rather than struggling in isolation.
[J Dunn]
=-=-=-=-= more variations -- though not the first time. [R. Young]
1. Make an "n" card. It is a Wild Card and can be played on any card. The player names it (i.e. assigns it a kana value).
2. Playing a "ten-ten" or "maru" variant card (ga, gi, gu, etc.) automatically reverses the direction of the play.
3. The student has to say the name of his/her card aloud as she plays it. (Failure to do so... well, if you want to play hard... the player has to take his/her card back.)
4. A player who places a card that ends a word based on the previous card can say the word and its English meaning. This allows him to have another player of his choice to draw an extra card. For example: placing a "ba" after a "ka" makes "kaba" (hippo) or "shi" after "su" =
"sushi."
5. Instead of calling out "ICHI" when one card remains, how about "ICHIMAI!"
Tale of Genji - online samples
in the interest of Cultural "literacy" for Japanese language and society, please note this new project of the United Nations.
U.N. Launches Library of World's Knowledge
U.N. Launches Library of World's Knowledge
A globe-spanning U.N. digital library seeking to display and explain the wealth of all human cultures is in operation on the Internet for students around the world. ...a collection of primary documents and authoritative explanations from the planet's leading libraries.
The site (www.wdl.org) has put up the Japanese work that is considered the first novel in history, along with .....In addition to UNESCO and the Library of Congress, 26 other libraries and institutions in 19 countries have contributed to the project.
showing samples, Tale of Genji
in the interest of Cultural "literacy" for Japanese language and society, please note this new project of the United Nations. --- GP Witteveen, sjmiAT hotmail.com
U.N. Launches Library of World's Knowledge
Windows Live™ SkyDrive™: Get 25 GB of free online storage. Check it out.
U.N. Launches Library of World's Knowledge
A globe-spanning U.N. digital library seeking to display and explain the wealth of all human cultures is in operation on the Internet for students around the world. ...a collection of primary documents and authoritative explanations from the planet's leading libraries.
The site (www.wdl.org) has put up the Japanese work that is considered the first novel in history, along with .....In addition to UNESCO and the Library of Congress, 26 other libraries and institutions in 19 countries have contributed to the project.
Windows Live™ SkyDrive™: Get 25 GB of free online storage. Check it out.
2009-04-19
teachers recommend YouTube for Japanese language
[preview for age suitability, though]
...list of YouTube videos recommended by the Japanese language teachers at the Nihongo Memo Web site, under "Sharing Resources" http://www.nihongomemo.com/sharing.htm#You [direct link]
...contributed by the teachers of Japanese who enrolled in the correspondence course "2009 How to Create Web Pages/Web Sites."
...list of YouTube videos recommended by the Japanese language teachers at the Nihongo Memo Web site, under "Sharing Resources" http://www.nihongomemo.com/sharing.htm#You [direct link]
...contributed by the teachers of Japanese who enrolled in the correspondence course "2009 How to Create Web Pages/Web Sites."
2009-04-15
vivid use of "Urashima Taro" story
Probaby best for intermediate/advanced, but even beginners can enjoy the voice patterns and Aizuchi here. These one minute introductions to a Japanese podcast come from the sponsor, Murata, and is shared with senseionline with their permission. Since the podcast is about science and scientists, the comical introduction demonstrates how to have a curious mind. Find the podcast series at iTunes/podcasts, "science talk"
2009-03-08
panorama views - nihonkai, sapporo
Please share these photos with students and colleagues,
http://tinyurl.com/jp09pano
The wide view comes from putting several pictures side by side using the free software, www.autostitch.net
--Guven Witteveen, sjmi@hotmail dotcom
Visiting Researcher, Hokkaido University Museum
http://tinyurl.com/jp09pano
The wide view comes from putting several pictures side by side using the free software, www.autostitch.net
--Guven Witteveen, sjmi@hotmail dotcom
Visiting Researcher, Hokkaido University Museum
2009-03-06
tune and lyrics to FUJI-san
富山大学の濱田さんが作った「日本の歌」というウェブサイトで、
富士山の歌のMP3 が ダウンロードできます。
romaji lyrics
http://www3.u-toyama.ac.jp/niho/song/fujisan/fujisan.html
日本の歌 （日本語学習者向け）
http://www3.u-toyama.ac.jp/niho/song.html
MIDI audio file of tune,
http://classic-midi.com/midi_player/uta/uta_fujisan.htm
-- NETSU Makoto
The Japan Foundation Japanese-Language Institute, Urawa
http://www.jpf.go.jp/j/urawa/
富士山の歌のMP3 が ダウンロードできます。
romaji lyrics
http://www3.
日本の歌 （日本語学習者向け）
http://www3.
MIDI audio file of tune,
http://classic-
-- NETSU Makoto
The Japan Foundation Japanese-Language Institute, Urawa
http://www.jpf.
2009-02-08
children's art exchange - Shiga, Japan & Michigan, USA
http://mishigan.blogspot.com/2009/02/annual-art-exchange-through-feb-28.html includes pictures and commentary for the 13th annual exchange of art between the sister cities of St. Johns, Michigan and Konan-shi in Japan. Due to Konan having more than three times as many schools and students, the majority of the pieces displayed at the town libraries in each town are from the Japanese children.
Students of Japanese should be able to recognize some of the subject matter, as well as the written Japanese that appears in some of the pieces.
Students of Japanese should be able to recognize some of the subject matter, as well as the written Japanese that appears in some of the pieces.
2009-01-31
setsubun & more materials
http://minnanokyoza
=-=-=-=-= Setsubun readings:
I wrote folowing reading materials for my student, Learning Japanese as a heritage language.
--K Okuda, Japanese Children's Society
http://d.hatena.
http://d.hatena.
http://d.hatena.
2009-01-28
short video stories - Japan (1998) and Korea (2005)
Dear colleagues:
I invite you, your students and fellow scholars to view, download, excerpt or repurpose from the following collection of 3 to 10 minute video segments I've gathered online. Once I learned how simple it is to string clips together and add a title and credits for online uploading, I went back and prepared my materials to share. I encourage each one of you to start a free account at one of the video hosting services and experiment, too:
vimeo; video.google.com (owns YouTube, now, too - thus crosslistings and search results), teacherTube.org, among so many, many others
--Guven Witteveen
I invite you, your students and fellow scholars to view, download, excerpt or repurpose from the following collection of 3 to 10 minute video segments I've gathered online. Once I learned how simple it is to string clips together and add a title and credits for online uploading, I went back and prepared my materials to share. I encourage each one of you to start a free account at one of the video hosting services and experiment, too:
vimeo; video.google.com (owns YouTube, now, too - thus crosslistings and search results), teacherTube.org, among so many, many others
--Guven Witteveen
St. Johns, Michigan USA
HIGHLIGHTS
[summer 2005 study tour] http://koreanstudies08.googlepages.com/kr2005video.html
<> History procession, central Seoul
<> Drum lesson at performing arts hall in Seoul
<> High school yearbook views
<> Calligraphy lesson
<> Banquet foods
<> Serving tea
<> Conceptual artist
<> folk performing arts village at...
<> Anseong summer view from the air
[spring 1998, earlier released on VHS as "Social Sketches in Japan"]
http://viewjpn.googlepages.com/sketches1998.html
<> Introduction; Old city center
<> Temple interior
<> walking/talking tour of Temple grounds
<> Teaching high school English
<> High school memories
<> Family life in regional city of Takefu (rechristened Echizen-city in 2005)
<> Small business owner's experiences
<> Foods: home and restaurant
<> Shrine visit
<> Remembering one's ancestors
<> Local health care
Windows Live™: E-mail. Chat. Share. Get more ways to connect. Check it out.
2009-01-12
BBC story: Rent-a-friend in Japan
A short article you may wish to excerpt for students.
...Duncan Bartlett discovers that money really can buy you love in Tokyo.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/em/fr/-/2/hi/programmes/from_our_own_correspondent/7818140.stm
Here's one segment of the story:
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
...Duncan Bartlett discovers that money really can buy you love in Tokyo.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/em/fr/-/2/hi/programmes/from_our_own_correspondent/7818140.stm
Here's one segment of the story:
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Rent-a-friend in Japan | |
| The right pet ...First you pay a deposit and a hire fee. Then you are issued with a leash, some tissues and a plastic bag and given some advice on how to handle your new friend. Kaori is a pretty waitress who regularly spends her Sunday afternoons with a Labrador. They go for a walk in the park if the weather is fine, or if it is wet they just snuggle up in front of the TV in her apartment. "When I look into his eyes, I think he's my dog," Kaori told me. "But when I take him back to the shop, he runs away from me and starts wagging his tail when he sees the next customer. That's when I know he's only a rental dog."
...Cry for help ...Mr M.O. from Shizuoka near Mount Fuji called upon the services of I Want To Cheer Up Ltd because he needed a father. Mr M.O. has been blind since birth and had a number of concerns that he felt he could not speak to others about. "I kept it all inside and couldn't deal with the criticisms that had been directed at me by my parents and teachers," he testified. After some discussion, the company sent an older man to have dinner with him. "Usually I can't open up when I meet someone for the first time but on that occasion, I felt I was really talking with a normal father. I'll use the service again," he said. Loneliness is a problem faced by many people on these crowded islands. But the Japanese are prone to believe that, in the right circumstances, money can turn a stranger into a friend... at least for a couple of hours.
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