Instructor: Hiroko Kataoka (California State University, Long Beach)

Date: June 19 – 21

Time: 8 AM to 4 PM

Theme: Differentiated Instruction in Japanese Language Classes

Place: The Japanese Cultural and Community Center of Washington/Japanese Language School Course Details: Because students of diverse linguistic and cultural backgrounds now . . . → Read More: Summer Institute 2013 : Differentiated Instruction in Japanese Language Classes]]> Registration for the 2013 Summer Institute is NOW OPEN!

Instructor: Hiroko Kataoka (California State University, Long Beach)

Date: June 19 – 21

Time: 8 AM to 4 PM

Theme: Differentiated Instruction in Japanese Language Classes

Place: The Japanese Cultural and Community Center of Washington/Japanese Language School

Course Details:

Because students of diverse linguistic and cultural backgrounds now attend Japanese language classes at universities and K-12 schools, “traditional” students share their classes with a heterogeneous student population that includes heritage speakers and those whose native languages differ from English or Japanese. Some classes house more than one level of students, typically due to schools’ economical constraints.  Students in those classes present differing proficiency levels and possess different strengths in various skills, as well as different learning styles.  While diversity does facilitate students’ learning from each other, if all students are taught with the same teaching objectives, strategies, teaching materials, and assessments, we cannot expect the students to receive an effective learning experience.  Such practice also risks violating fairness and equality because it deprives students of opportunities to learn in the best way they can.



In this workshop the presenter will define and discuss the concept of “differentiation.” In differentiated instruction, the teacher carries out varied approaches to: (1) content, which is related to objectives which are often based on Standards, (2) process, which includes activities, tasks, and grouping,  and (3) product, which means outcomes that are to be assessed, in anticipation of and in response to student differences in readiness, interests, and learning needs (Tomlinson, 1995).  By examining the methods and limitations that are involved with differentiated instruction,we will explore how in fact this approach can benefit our Japanese classes.  Participants will discuss teaching possibilities based on the presented concepts and examples, and create teaching plans, sample assessments, and sample teaching materials.

See course syllabus

Payment:

WATJ Members: $60
Non Members: $80

Upon completing the following Registration Form, you can take advantage of HBCC’s easy PayPal system to pay for your registration for the Summer Institute.  Note that this is optional, as you can send a check in the mail to HBCC or pay on the day of the event.

STEP 1, Registration: Fill out the following form

STEP 2: Pay now online, or pay later

You are free to use the PayPal link below to securely pay online.  Checks can also be mailed to HBCC at 1414 South Weller Street, Seattle WA 98144.  Please make checks payable to “The Hyogo Business and Cultural Center”

Please contact Brian Chu at HBCC with any questions or concerns.

HBCC Office: 206-728-0610

Thanks to the support of our many past participants, sponsors, and community partners, we are excited to host the 30th anniversary of this competition at Roosevelt High School.Ｙou . . . → Read More: The 2013 Speech and Skit Competition is HERE!]]> The Hyogo Business and Cultural Center is DELIGHTED to announce that we are accepting registration for the 2013 Washington State Japanese Language Speech and Skit Competition!

Thanks to the support of our many past participants, sponsors, and community partners, we are excited to host the 30th anniversary of this competition at Roosevelt High School.Ｙou can bet on all the same fun times, amazing speeches and skits, and of course prizes galore for each and every competitor! Even as you are reading this, we are constantly  reaching out to past and new sponsors on a community and global level.

Again this year, we are thrilled to offer EVERY 1st place speech winner a FREE trip to Japan!

Similar to last year, we have expanded the competition to include the “Open Divisions” for learners of Japanese who are not just in high school. The “Open Divisions” accepts participants such as heritage learners of Japanese, past winners, students not yet in high school, highly-advanced students in high school, university students, and students in community colleges.

Don’t delay, REGISTER TODAY!

Date: Saturday, March 23rd 2013
Time: 8:00 AM ~ 5:00 PM
Venue: Auditorium, Roosevelt High School, Seattle, WA

Application Deadline: Midnight, March 2nd, 2013

Important Information!

• Contest Guidelines

• Grammar Guidelines

• Contest Registration

Make sure to check back regularly for updates to the contest, new prizes, and event schedule!

Haba-tan flies to the Theo Chocolate factory

Hi! I’m Haba-tan! Today, I went to Fremont. It was sunny! Good for flying! There were many unique things. I was surprised!

I saw a strange statue and a rocket. And I heard there is a big troll.

Come join the Hyogo Business and Cultural Center as we bring a piece of Japanese baseball to Safeco field!

Date: August 21st

Where: Safeco Field

Taken by Jorge . . . → Read More: JAPAN NIGHT: SPECIAL CHEERING SECTION IS ON!]]> DO YOU LOVE BASEBALL?  DO YOU LOVE CHEERING?

If so, we have the perfect event for you!

The Seattle Mariners Japanese-style Cheering Section!

REGISTER HERE

Come join the Hyogo Business and Cultural Center as we bring a piece of Japanese baseball to Safeco field!

Date: August 21^st

Where: Safeco Field

Taken by Jorge Hernández Valiñani

When: 6:10 pm (game starts at 7:10)

What is Japanese style cheering?Anyone who has visited a ballpark in Japan can tell you the crowd truly makes the game. Organized “oendan” or “cheering sections” lead the crowds in chants, songs, and cheers while their team is up at bat. Come be a part of this energetic and fun experience, and help cheer our Mariners to victory!

-Informational handouts about what is going on around people are distributed to help people understand or participate!

-Overall attitude of the section is fun, family-friendly and energetic!

More fun facts:

Cheering is organized by cheerleaders; they usually wear an agreed-upon matching look to set them apart from the crowd. They typically have whistles to help coordinate rhythm and timing.

Typically, one or two large flags in the team colors can be found within each seating area.  The flags themselves are only waved during home team member’s at bats.

Next to the cheerleaders, a 2-5 member band helps with keeping the rhythm of the chant, as well as other specialized songs/cheers that may require melodic accompaniment.

What does it all look like? Here are some examples:

At Bat Chants:

Situation Specific Chants:

Interested? Just fill out the form below and we hope to see you there! Tell your friends and family!

 

Step One: Register online here!

Step Two (required unless paying via cash/check)

 

Step Three: There is no step three!  See you at the game and expect a follow up e-mail!

Instructors:

Y.-H. Tohsaku (University of California, San Diego) Hiroko Kataoka (California State University, Long Beach)

Date: July 25, 26 and 27

Time: 8 AM to 4:30 PM

Place: The Newly Remodeled Japanese Cultural and Community Center of Washington/Japanese Language School

Upon completing the . . . → Read More: 2012 Summer Institute: Developing Scaffolding Activities for All Skills: Making Japanese Learning Easier and More Fun]]> Registration for the 2012 Summer Institute is Now Open!

Instructors:

Y.-H. Tohsaku (University of California, San Diego)
Hiroko Kataoka (California State University, Long Beach)

Date: July 25, 26 and 27

Time: 8 AM to 4:30 PM

Place: The Newly Remodeled Japanese Cultural and Community Center of Washington/Japanese Language School

Course Details coming soon!

Upon completing the following Registration Form, you can take advantage of HBCC’s easy PayPal system to pay for your registration for the Summer Institute.  Note that this is optional, as you can send a check in the mail to HBCC or pay on the day of the event.

STEP 1: Registration: Fill out the following form

STEP 2: Pay now online, or pay later

You are free to use the PayPal link below to securely pay online.  Checks can also be mailed to HBCC at 1414 South Weller Street, Seattle WA 98144.  Please make checks payable to “The Hyogo Business and Cultural Center”

Please contact Ben at HBCC with any questions or concerns.

206-728-0610

The Himeji Yukata Matsuri (姫路ゆかたまつり) is an exciting summer festival that takes place in Himeji. It is one of the biggest festivals in western Japan; over 800 vendors line the streets and there is a popular parade with children wearing various yukata and carrying traditional lanterns.

The festival originated around . . . → Read More: Hyogo Spotlight: Himeji Yukata Festival]]>

Children in Yukata

The Himeji Yukata Matsuri (姫路ゆかたまつり) is an exciting summer festival that takes place in Himeji. It is one of the biggest festivals in western Japan; over 800 vendors line the streets and there is a popular parade with children wearing various yukata and carrying traditional lanterns.

The festival originated around the time of the Himeji lord Sakakibara Masamune. It celebrates the original ceremony from over 250 years ago, when Sakakibara Masamune was ordered to leave to Echigo. To remember Himeji, the lord demanded a festival be quickly put together, dedicated to the Osakabe Shrine. He moved the shrine to downtown Himeji where all people could visit it easily; before then, only certain individuals were allowed to worship there.

Festive clothing couldn’t be prepared in time, so they used the light, cotton, summer kimono called a “yukata.” Yukata are simple, comfortable, and are often worn during summer festivals such as this.

The parade of children begins at the famous Himeji Castle and proceeds to the Osakabe Shrine. The stalls sell many things such as colorful masks, special food and candy, games and more.

When: Friday, June 22nd – Sunday, June 24
Where: Osakabe Shrine, 33 Tatemachi, Himeji
a 10 minute walk from JR Himeji Station

SeattleJapanRelief.org and the Consulate-General of Japan in Seattle will hold a special . . . → Read More: seattlejapanrelief.org One Year Anniversary Event]]> Sun, March 11, 2012

ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY EVENT

A Day of REMEMBRANCE, a Day of PREPAREDNESS, a Day of REBUILDING

Date: Sunday , March 11, 2012
Location: Seattle Center
10am to 2pm – Presentations/Activities @ Fisher Pavilion
2pm to 3pm – Ceremony @ Kobe Bell  

SeattleJapanRelief.org and the Consulate-General of Japan in Seattle will hold a special community event on the one-year anniversary of the Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami, focusing on three themes: remembrance, preparedness and rebuilding.

The program will begin with a short opening ceremony at the Fisher Pavilion at 10:00 a.m., featuring musical performances by singer Fumi Tagata (with Jorge Morales) and koto ensemble Koto no Wa.

At the Fisher Pavilion, there will be exhibits and presentations by local and national emergency management authorities and non-profit preparedness groups about their work in Japan following last year’s disaster, and how to prepare for natural disasters in the Pacific Northwest. Attendees can also learn about ways to continue to support Japan as it recovers. The Consulate-General of Japan in Seattle will hold a special screening of the documentary Gambappe Hula Girls!from 12:00 noon, as well as an exhibition of photography focusing on the disaster and recovery, and a presentation of children’s messages of hope from the Tohoku area.

From 2:00 p.m., the victims of The Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami will be remembered with a memorial ceremony at the Kobe Bell. Following remarks by dignitaries, and a short Buddhist ceremony honoring the victims, the public will have an opportunity to ring the Kobe Bell. A moment of silence will be observed at 2:46 p.m., which corresponds to the time of the disaster in Japan on March 11, 2011.

The Kobe Bell is a gift from Seattle’s oldest sister city, Kobe, Japan. Given in 1962 in honor of the World’s Fair, the Kobe Bell has also been a gathering place for Seattleites to remember the Kobe (Great Hanshin-Awaji) Earthquake of 1995 for the past seventeen years.

Confirmed exhibitors at the Fisher Pavilion include: American Red Cross, City of Seattle Fire Department, City of Seattle Department of Planning and Development, King County E-911, Public Health Reserve Corps- Seattle & King County. Peace Winds America, SEAW- Disaster Preparedness and Response Committee, Seattle Auxiliary Communications Service (ACS), Seattle Emergency Communications Hubs, Seattle Office of Emergency Management, Seattle Office of Emergency Management- Home Retrofit Volunteers, State of Washington Emergency Management Division, Structural Engineers Association of Washington, YMCA of Greater Seattle

Location map: Fisher Pavilion & Kobe Bell (circled in red)