Akita JET Map - SDC - Events - ALTs in the news

TheAkitan

Fall Edition, Issue 3

Photo by Renaud Davies

Fall Welcome

Akita JET Map/Akitaculture

SDC and Block Meetings

Events: Past and Future

CLAIR News

Where in the World is Sugichi?

ALTs in the News

Lesson Corner

Photo Corner

JALT & Call for Contributions

In this issue2

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5

7

10

12

14

20

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26

Andrew Lewis

RANDY UMETSU

Renaud Davies

Fall Welcome

2

WRenaud Davies

renauddavies29@gmail.com 080-1658-4516

Derek Lemieux derek.lemieux@gmail.com

080-6013-6528

Nikki Zywinanikki.zywina@gmail.com

090-6452-6454

Randy Umetsurandy.umetsu@gmail.com

080-4576-1812

AJET Peer Support Group Hotline: Everyday (8pm-7am)

Toll Free: 050-5534-5566

2

e have done our best to jam our cool fall issue of the Akitan with as much useful information as you could hope for. We have a link to our completed 2012-2013 Akita JET map as well as the online version of the handbook for the upcoming Skills Development Conference. We have updates regarding the 2012 block meetings, translated news articles featuring our very own JETs, important CLAIR news, event highlights and the list goes on!

As fall has arrived and winter is soon to follow, I encourage everyone to get outside and experience the last few weeks of greenery in Akita while you can.

Best,

Your PAs

Akita JET Map!

Ever wonder where all the ALTs are located? Ever want to visit a different part of the prefecture and are wondering which ALTs are in that area? Well, now you are only a click away from finding out! Check out the 2012-2013 Google Akita JET map!

We will be giving out large colored maps at the SDC as well. Special thanks to Owen Cunningham

for putting this year’s map together for us!!

Click here!

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I f you’re interested in art, writing, publishing and general life in Akita (because who isn’t?), we’d like to introduce you to Akitaculture, a new online magazine written by and for the English-speaking community here in our lovely prefecture. Our purpose is to be a collection of our creative and artistic works, arts reviews and recommendations, and an explorer’s guide to Akita’s cultural sites and scenes. Check it out here:

http://akitaculture.wordpress.com/ This is a new project that is just getting off the ground, which means we’re especially keen to find new contributors. We are looking for cultural articles about your experiences and discoveries in Akita, reviews of books, films, music, TV and restaurants, creative writing, art, submissions for our photo challenge (the current theme is GREEN), and anything else you would like to

share. We encourage creative submissions that are inspired by a wide range of experiences, themes, places, stories, people and settings. This can include “Japan” but is definitely not limited to that paradigm. Rather than releasing issues periodically, we will be posting something new just about every week, so check back often for new articles, photos, or reviews of your soon-to-be-favourite ramen shop. This also means that if you’re looking to contribute, you can submit content at any time. Send us stuff or get in touch at akitaculturecollective@gmail.com. We’re looking forward to it! Akitaculture editorial teamKatie YantziJessie FastNikki Zywina

“This is a new project that is just getting off the ground, which

means we’re especially keen to find new contributors.”

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Photo by Randy Umetsu

Click here to check out the 2012-2013 SDC Handbook!

OCTOBER 18TH-19TH

AKITA PREFECTURE EDUCATION CENTER

Hosted by: Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT), Akita Prefectural Board of Education andCouncil of Local Authorities for International Relations (CLAIR)

Date Location

conference

2012-2013

Team Teaching

Skill Development

Art by Nikki Zywina

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12

lock meetings are a forum to exchange teaching ideas and a way to reconnect with people in your community after the holidays. Most block meetings will have presentations about teaching, connecting with the community, Japanese culture, and a group cultural activity. At these meetings the PAs will also give a presentation regarding the upcoming re-contracting decision.

The block meetings are considered work and professional attire is expected. Unfortunately, unlike prefectural conferences you will not be reimbursed for travel costs. If you are doing a cultural activity that involves a lot of moving (i.e. taiko) you should bring a change of clothes.

Last year the block meetings were a great success and we would like to thank all the block leaders who are working hard organizing this year’s meetings. We will have some time at the end of the Skill Development Conference to brainstorm ideas regarding presentations and cultural activities for the 2013 block meetings. So, please bring some ideas to discuss!

Date: TBALocation and other details: To be sent out by your respective block leaders by Dec. 15th.

12

B

Block Meetings

6

Photo: Randy Umetsu

A Look B

ack

Sanboen Cabin Farewell and Welcome Parties

July 7th and September 1st · Yurihonjo-shi, Akita

Rumour has it that the Akita JETs know how to party and this year’s Sanboen cabin events left all doubt behind. 84 ALTs and friends came to the Farewell Party on July 7th and a record 88 attended the Welcome Party on September 1st. There was good food, great music and a wonderfully genki crowd at both parties. 315,190 yen was raised from the two events with allproceeds

going to the VolunteerAKITA scholarship fund in support of orphans on the eastcoast of Japan.

Since they began last year, the Sanboen cabin parties have become more than just a couple of fundraising events on the JET social calendar. They are a celebration of the Akita JET community, bringing together a diverse range of ALTs and locals through food, music, art, performance and dance.

Tazawako CampingSeptember 29th-30th · Lake Tazawa, Akita Saturday, September 29th we had the annual AAJ Lake Tazawa camping event. Located in Senboku. Lake Tazwa is well known for its sapphire-blue beauty and being the deepest lake in Japan. This year, 38 people relaxed and joined the fun by going swimming, barbecuing lots of delicious food and singing songsby the campfire. Big お疲れ～ to Tim Ogino who organised the event. 37,250 Yen was raised and will go towards AAJ’s goal of building a library for children in Laos through the Room to Read charity.

Thank you to everyone who came to the events and a special thanks to the many volunteers who help at

them. If you are interested in getting involved and being be a

volunteer at an event please email me, Wil Lentze at final_orbit@hotmail.com

Allanah Faherty

Allanah Faherty

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North Block EventsMonday, September 10th and Tuesday, September 11th This year, 9 ALTs from the North Block participated in this year’s Shinmeisha Festival. We had the opportunity to pull our team’s float around town, dance in the streets, and splash water on our team members. This year’s festival was especially exhausting as it was pouring rain and during the work week, but we pulled through and had a great time!

PotluckSaturday, September 15th The sempais of northern Akita hosted a potluck dinner for the new ALTs to welcome them to the North Block. We ate lots of homemade dishes and ended the night with karaoke. In the photo you can see Sean teaching everyone how to do the Gungnam Style dance.

DaimonjiSunday, September 16th Usually this festival falls on Obon, but this year’s Dimonji festival was rescheduled due to rain. First, people come to enjoy displays of taiko and dancing. At 8:00, the giant (dai) on the mountain is lit by teams of people and is followed by multiple fireworks displays. This year, some of our local North-Blockers had the chance to light the end of the left side of the dai.

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AAJ Akita Halloween Party 10/27 (Sat) Akita Association of JETs (AAJ) presents a night of HORROR and FUN at Jamhouse on Saturday, October 27th. Let's dress up, dance, get freaky and party the night away!

In a nutshell:

Location - Club Jamhouse, Akita city (directions below)

Entry - 2500円

Time - 9PM to 4AM

Drinks - beer, spirits, cocktails, nonalcoholic drinks

DJs - Imu, Wil, Mutsumi, Aanya, Anthony, Mike

Music genre - Hip hop, dance, house

Costume contest - Best costume wins a prize

Glow sticks - First 100 guests will receive either a glow wrist-band, necklace, glasses or magic wand

This is AAJ's 8th annual Halloween event and Akita's BIGGEST dance party. It is a non-profit charity fundraiser with proceeds going towards building a library for children in Laos through the Room to Read charity. A small proportion of the proceeds will also go towards event equipment so that the charities can continue to hold amazing events.

It is important to note that Club Jamhouse is a licensed premises so do not bring any alcohol inside. Doing so will undermine AAJ's opportunities to hold future charity events there.

Feel free to invite friends. We look forward to partying with you all into the witching hour.

It's going to be an EPIC night!

Wil, Sam, Dave and KennyMap: http://goo.gl/maps/Xd428

Jamhouse: http://www.jamhouse-akita.com/

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Photo by Mark Dawson

CLAIR N

ews

2012 - 2013 ALT Opinion Exchange Meeting The 2012-2013 JET Programme ALT Opinion Exchange Meeting will be held on 12 and 13 February (Tuesday and Wednesday), 2013 at the CLAIR office in Tokyo. This Opinion Exchange Meeting is an opportunity for ALTs to share constructive opinions about the planning, implementation and management of the JET Programme with representatives from CLAIR and the three sponsoring ministries. A total of ten ALTs will be invited to come and take part in the meeting. Each ALT will present a report on a topic of his/her choice on issues related to the JET Programme. If you are interested in participating, please fill out the application form below and have it signed and stamped by your supervisor. Select two topics that you would like to discuss at the meeting on the application form. Attach an outline of each topic you would like to discuss (maximum one single-sided A4 page per topic). Each topic should be on a separate sheet of paper, with your name and JET number on the top right of each page. Your supervisor must FAX the completed application form along with your topic outlines to CLAIR no later than Wednesday, 7 November, 2012. Please be sure to give your supervisor enough time to meet this deadline, because late applications will not be accepted. If you have any questions concerning the ALT Opinion Exchange Meeting, please contact Programme Coordinator Madeline Horne by email (m-horne[@]clair.or.jp) or by phone (JETLINE: 03-5213-1729. M-F 9:00 a.m. - 5:45 p.m.). We look forward to receiving your application. Council of Local Authorities for International Relations (CLAIR)

Get the forms here! 

6

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Important Dates Regarding TransfersClick here for more details!

11

START!

Where in the World

Phot

o by

Der

ek Le

mie

ux

is Sugichi? Where in the World is Sugichi?

Looking for an interesting way to represent Akita outside of the prefecture? This new photo project will be a fun and

simple way to share a little bit of Akita pride with the rest of Japan and the world!

How to participate

Print out any picture of Sugichi (Data files of Sugichi will be posted on the Akita Wiki)Take a picture with your Sugichi while on vacation to another prefecture or any other country around the world (e.g. while climbing Mt. Fuji or while wrestling lions in Africa) Email the photo to randy.umetsu at gmail.com with your name, the date the photo was taken, place, and short description of the photo

*Pictures must be taken outside of Akita Prefecture Photos and descriptions will be featured regularly in the Akitan and added to a photo archive page in the Akita Wiki.

13

ALTs in th

e

News! Appointment as an ALT for the first time in six years

United States/Mr. WilliamsMotivation to teach in wife’s hometown

Kurt Williams (38) of Arizona, United States, was appointed to be an ALT in Happo Town, the only town in the prefecture previously without an ALT. Williams has experience teaching at Minehama Junior High School 10 years prior, and will begin living in Minehama starting this month along with his wife, Mami (31), who is also originally from Minehama.

“Happo Town feels like my home town. I would very much like to get along well with my students, and do all of my duties to the best of my abilities,” commented Williams enthusiastically about the upcoming semester.

Williams worked as an ALT from the summer of 1998 for three years. Along with actively interacting with the local residents, Williams also participated in activities such as joining the local Japanese drumming group.

“Everyone was just so receptive of me. The beautiful nature was definitely a positive too,” said Williams reminiscing about his former years in Happo Town.

After leaving the position, Williams returned to the United States for a short period of time. However, through the love of Japan that was born from his ALT experience, he returned to Japan again in 2003. Williams, employed at a language school management company in Okayama City, was in charge of the education of new teachers.

Until 2006, another teacher filled the ALT position, but Happo Town declined ALT appointment from that year on. In November, 2007, through an agreement with Akita International University, exchange students regularly helped with English classes and other activities. However, with the transition last year to required foreign language education at the elementary school level, the town Board of Education recognized the necessity of a more complete English education program. The BOE sought out Williams, who had both experience and the knowledge of the town, as the person for this position. The agreement with Akita International University still continues.

Williams married Mami in 2003 and is the father of their 8 year-old and 1 year-old. According to Williams, they made their decision to accept the ALT position and move because they thought Happo Town, with Mami’s parents’ home nearby, was a better environment to raise their children than in Okayama.

The initial appointment period is through to the end of March, 2013. However, with permanent residency, William prepares to settle down and tackle English education in Happo Town head-on. For future prospects, the town BOE considers commissioning Mami to create a translated guide for foreign tourists. “It was very easy to say ‘Nice to meet you,’ but it is very difficult to say ‘Goodbye.’ I have felt a lot of love at this school. Thank you for all of the wonderful memories,” replied McGee.

The piece of calligraphy created on this day will be hung in the school. McGee will depart Japan at the end of this month, and he aims towards being an elementary school teacher after returning to his home country.

Translated by Randy Umetsu

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ALTs in th

e

News!

Village Sponsors English Conversation ClassesAnswering the call of the generation of internationalization

Beginning this year, Higashi-Naruse Village began sponsoring English conversationclasses for the local citizens as an effort to meet the demands of internationalization facingthis generation. The town’s ALT will serve as the instructor. The class’ opening ceremonyand first lesson were held on September 27. Class participants enjoyed the lesson whiletaking on the challenge of English conversation.

The lesson aims to increase the local citizens’ interest in English conversation and improvetheir skills, and to promote international exchange and international understanding.Higashi-Naruse Village opened these classes to the public as there were no Englishconversation classes prior to this in the village.

The instructor is James Messner from Georgia, United States. It is his fourth year as anALT since moving to Yuzawa City. Higashi-Naruse Village employed James from July ofthis year and he currently teaches at Higashi-Naruse Elementary School, Higashi-NaruseJunior High School, and Naruse Nursery School.

Five local citizens ranging in age from their 30s-60s signed up for the classes. The openingceremony and first class was held on September 27, and three people attended.

“Speaking perfect English is not necessary. Speaking a lot is what is important,” explainedJames.

Even without sufficient command of the English language, the three participants introducedtheir names and hobbies in a very enjoyable atmosphere while looking up words andasking James their meanings.

“I would like to learn English because I want to be able to answer even just a little whenasked something by a foreigner. Our teacher has a very bright personality and the class isfun,” said Okamitsu of Takonai, Higashi-Naruse.

The class accommodates citizens above high school and is free of charge. 13 classes willbe held till February 28 of next year. The next class on October 11 will be an introductorylesson geared towards complete beginners to the English language.

Translated by Randy Umetsu

6 17

ALTs in th

e

News!

Translated by Randy Umetsu

“Calligraphy” together with his students.Recording memories at his farewell party.

After five years of employment as an ALT at the Oga City Board of Education, Joshua McGee (30) of Australia will be returning to his home country. On July 13th, a farewell event was held in his honor at Hokuyo Elementary School.

McGee, along with students and teachers, painted calligraphy and recorded the memories they made together in Oga. McGee studied calligraphy for two years under the tutelage of Vice Principal Kuriki and used his skills during the joint creation of the giant mural (2.4m X 4m) of his memories with his students.

The students let out a gasp when McGee wrote, with a powerful stroke of the brush, his favorite words “love” and “dream.” 48 students from grades 3-6 and 15 teachers then continued by taking turns writing Takamura Kotaro’s poem “Michinori.” Finally, the students burst into a round of applause as McGee brushed in his name to complete the piece.

A student representative greeted the audience with a speech standing in front of the calligraphy piece. “Mr. McGee, you made us very happy with your interesting lessons. We will never forget you,” he said.

“It was very easy to say ‘Nice to meet you,’ but it is very difficult to say ‘Goodbye.’ I have felt a lot of love at this school. Thank you for all of the wonderful memories,” replied McGee.

The piece of calligraphy created on this day will be hung in the school. McGee will depart Japan at the end of this month, and he aims towards being an elementary school teacher after returning to his home country.

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ZOMBIE Shooter!

Lesson

Cor

ner!

Directions!

1. Put students into groups of 3-5 (2 if your class is very small).

2. Put the zombies on the blackboard into coloured groups (red zombies in one spot of the board,

etc.).

3. Explain that the students are under attack by zombies. They must shoot down the zombies that

are after their group.

4. Have students janken to choose the order that they will answer in in their groups. The first

student to answer in each group will stand up (this stops one student from answering all the

questions).

5. The first student to raise their hand and answer correctly gets to throw a ball at their team's

zombies. Make sure to define a line where the students have to shoot from. You might need to

clear some desks at the front of the room to make space for throwing. I like to make a zombie

graveyard on the end of the board for somewhere to put the shot zombies.

1. You can choose to give more balls for more difficult questions. This definitely raises

motivation in the classroom!

6. The group with the most zombies shot wins the game! Make sure to give them some kind of

cool Halloween prize

CLICK HERE TO GET THE WHOLE LESSON AND WORKSHEETS!

A Lesson By Melissa Noad

Zombie Shooter!

Memory Game!

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Directions!

This is a simple memory game to practice using prepositions and “There is/are ~” (2nd year JHS). You could also use it to practice 1st year JHS prepositions (“X is in/on/under Y.”). You need to prepare a picture with lots of objects in different locations. I found a picture of a room online and then used an image editing program (GIMP) to add more clipart images. Adding a few strange objects in unlikely places may help the students to remember them! You can also find pre-made pictures online. I played using the rules below and my students really enjoyed it, but you can adapt the rules however you want!

The rules!

1. Divide the class into groups of 4.

2. Give each group a copy of the picture, face down.

3. Students turn over the picture and look at it for 30 seconds, memorizing the contents of the room. Encourage them to think about what (and how many) objects they can see and where they are.4. After 30 seconds (or whatever you deem appropriate), take away the picture and hand out writing sheets.

5. Groups have 5-10 minutes to write down as many sentences about the picture using “There is/are” and correct prepositions.

6. Award points for each correct sentence. If you want, you can give more points for original sentences, take away points for incorrect spelling, and so on. Give prizes to the winning group(s).7. Optional: After writing, each group nominates a speaker and all the speakers stand up. Students put up their hands to read one sentence from their sheet and sit down. They can’t repeat a sentence another group has already said. When all students have sat down, repeat with a new speaker in each group.

Click here to get the whole lesson with worksheets!

A Lesson By Nikki ZywinaWe are looking for

great lessons by you!

If you have one, please share it! 21

Photo C

orner!

By Randy Umetsu

By Mark Dawson

14 23

By Mark Dawson

We are looking for

great Japan photos by

you! If you have a best

shot, please send it our way!

16

By Katie Yantzi

25

re you interested in learning more about language teaching? Would you like to connect with other language teachers around Akita or Japan? If so, then you may be interested in The Japan Association for Language Teaching (JALT).

JALT is a non-profit organization dedicated to the improvement of language teaching and learning both within Japan and internationally. The Akita JALT chapter meets monthly and invites you to check out the workshops. You will find a schedule for workshops for the year on their website.

There is a charge of 500 yen for all non-members (It used to be 1000 yen, but they lowered it for us ^-^). JALT members and students are free. Scheduled meetings are at JOIN US in Akita City.

NOTE: The Akita JALT community would love to learn more about the JET Programme in Akita and team-teaching. If you are interested in presenting on something, please contact Wayne Malcolm: wamalcolm@gmail.com.

AAkita JALT

Check it

out!

A Call For Your Activities and Contributions

e hope that you found this newsletter useful. If you have any suggestions to make The Akitan

better, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Lastly, submissions from you will make this work-related newsletter all the more interesting. So, if

you have lesson activities, work-related essays, job postings, news articles, photos, etc, please submit

them to one of the PAs. Thanks for reading!

The End!

W

20 27

We are looking for great photos by you!

Please send them to one of the PAs and help make this

newsletter even more aesthetically pleasing to

read!

You can download The Akitan

to read off-line by clicking on the download icon below

the newsletter's preview!

Created by your PAs

Layout and Design:

Renaud Davies

Contributors:Mark DawsonAndrew LewisMelissa NoadKatie YantziWil Lentze

Allanah Faherty

Photo by Randy Umetsu