Category Archives: Education News & Events

Educations news makes it easy to stay on top of the latest education-related headlines, special offers from AJET such as scholarships and grants, and information from CLAIR and the three ministries.

If you have any suggestions, please send them to the AJET Education & Professional Development Coordinator here.

Rotary International offers Masters scholarship in Peace Studies

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The Rotary Foundation is now accepting new applications for the highly-competitive annual Rotary Peace Fellowship. The Fellowship provides academic and practical training to prepare scholars for leadership roles in solving conflicts around the world. Up to 110 fellows are selected every year in a globally competitive process based on personal, academic, and professional achievements. Fellows join a growing network of committed alumni employed around the world in diplomacy, government, non-governmental organizations and private corporations.

The 2013 Academic term deadline is 01 July 2012. Therefore, the time to apply is NOW! For more specific information on the Rotary Peace Fellowship, the current application is available at www.rotary.org/rotarycenters. You can also find a local Rotary Club for endorsement at www.rotary.org/clublocator. (All Rotary Peace Fellowship applications need the endorsement of your local Rotary district). For additional assistance, please contact the Rotary Peace Center staff at rotarycenters@rotary.org.

A word on Rotary International from JET Program alumnus and current Rotary International Peace Fellow, Mark Flanigan:

As a JET Program alumnus (Nagasaki 2000-04), I was fortunate enough to benefit directly from this unique Fellowship opportunity. After six years living and working in the U.S., I returned to Japan once more as a Rotary International Peace Fellow at the International Christian University (ICU) in Tokyo. ICU is one of the six Master’s Degree options available to Rotary Peace Fellows, which specifically provides a fully-funded 24-month MA in Peace Studies in Japan, along with a Japanese language course and the opportunity to intern worldwide (between the first and second year) as part of one’s Thesis research.

While one does not apply directly to ICU, the successful Rotary Peace Fellowship applicant will progress through the standard application/interview processes and then select their top choices from the selected Peace Centers. A number of former JETs, including me, have been quite successful in both requesting and achieving placement at ICU. The ICU Rotary Peace Center tends to look favorably on a demonstrable interest in Japanese language and culture, especially pertaining to themes of peace and post-conflict reconciliation. The Fellowship requires, at a minimum, a bachelor’s degree in a related field; three years of relevant work experience and proficiency in a 2nd language for the MA program (I used my demonstrated Japanese language ability from the JLPT in the case of ICU).

Lastly, please feel free to contact me if you have any related questions about the Rotary Peace Fellowship or life at ICU at markinmitaka@gmail.com, or visit my blog at www.mellowpeacefellow.blogspot.com .

The TESOL/TEFL Travel Grant

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This grant applies to JETs who have taught for 5 years and would like to attend a TESOL/TEFL conference.

Who’s Eligible: TESOL members who are currently practicing EFL teachers, teacher trainers, or supervisors with at least 5 years’ experience in a non-English-speaking setting. Preference is given to applicants who have never attended a TESOL convention.
Note: EFL teacher is being defined as someone teaching in a country where the primary language is not English.

Purpose: To help EFL professionals attend a TESOL convention.

For more information please to go their website.

JALT National Conference – October 12-15

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Every year, the JALT Conference brings together language teaching professionals from around the world. The conference’s Proceedings bring together a wide range of original, thought-provoking, and stimulating presentations, posters, workshops, forums, and plenaries by teachers and researchers from Japan and overseas, as well as the latest publications of teaching materials. Past topics have included rapports and communication strategies between teachers and students, practical steps towards task-based teaching, using humor in EFL classrooms, and creativity in the language classroom among many others. The theme of this year’s JALT National Conference will be “Making a Difference”. The JALT 2012 tentative schedule can be found here.

Opportunity to present at the 2012 JALT Conference

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The Japan Association for Language Teaching (JALT) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the improvement of language teaching and learning both within Japan and internationally. JALT has nearly 3,000 members, with 35 chapters across Japan.

Each year JALT holds an annual conference with presenters, speakers, exhibits and events focused around a certain theme. The theme for the 38th conference to be held on October 12-15, 2012 in ACT City, Hamamatsu, is “making a difference.” Participants are invited to join in celebrating and honoring those who have mentored and inspired them through the years.

This year, JALT has given one JET the opportunity to present at this year’s conference as an un-vetted presenter. The deadline for registration is Friday, May 18, 2012. If you are interested in taking advantage of this opportunity to present at the 2012 conference, please contact the AJET Education & Professional Development at education@ajet.net.

For information about JALT please visit their website: www.jalt.org

For additional information regarding the JALT conference please see the conference website: http://jalt.org/conference.

Willamette University Offering MBA Scholarships to JET Alumni

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Planning to obtain a higher degree in business? As an AJET Affiliate, the Willamette University MBA will offer a minimum scholarship of $5,000 to JET returnees who apply, are admitted, and enroll in Willamette’s Early Career and Career Change MBA program.  Willamette University’s MBA Programs are specifically designed to prepare students for their first professional career position, career change, or advancement. Simply indicate on your application, and in your admissions interview that you are JET alumni.

Willamette University’s Early Career and Career Change MBA program, located in beautiful in Salem, Oregon (USA), is designed for students who are recent college graduates, those with limited work experience or those looking for a change in their career. As a leader in experiential learning, Willamette MBA builds knowledge, real-world experience and career management skills. Here are a few reasons to consider Willamette MBA:

  • 85% of graduates received a job offer within 3 months after graduation at an average starting
    salary of $60,000
  • Ranked as a top 75 MBA program by Forbes Magazine
  • Top 10 best entrepreneurship courses by Inc. Magazine
  • Number 23 in the world for ethics, sustainability and social responsibility
  • One of only two MBA programs in the world dually accredited for business and public
    administration
  • Scholarships from 10% to 100% of tuition available for international students based on merit,
    leadership and potential

For more information, click here.

Temple University Japan Discount for JET Alumni

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Finishing your time on the JET Programme this summer and looking to further your education?

As part of the ‘Friends of TUJ Program’, Temple University Japan is offering JET alumni a 10% discount on the tuition fees for their TUJ Continuing Education Program. This applies to tuition fees for any courses, workshop, or seminar. The Master of Business Administration Program specifically has 500,000 Yen Scholarships available to JET Programme alumni.

JET applicants also receive a waiver for the 10,500 Yen TUJ one time entrance fee. For more information, please check out http://www.tuj.ac.jp/cont-ed/admissions/friend-of-tuj/index.html

For questions, email our Education Coordinator at education@ajet.net.

TUJ Free Seminars & Lecures (ICAS: Institute of Contemporary Asian Studies)

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Institute of Contemporary Asian Studies (ICAS) hosts more than 40 lectures and symposiums each year, and invites top-class experts and specialists as speakers. Lecture topics range from politics, the economy, and foreign and military affairs, to cinema and pop culture. All events are open to the public and usually free of charge.

Book Talk: Kazuhiko Togo – Japan’s territorial issues
Date: Tuesday, May 15, 2012
Time: 7:00p.m. (Talk will start at 7:30p.m.)
Speaker: Kazuhiko Togo
Facebook Link

Tag Murphy: How dollar-centered global finance cost the Democrats the white working class
Date: Thursday, May 17, 2012
Time: 7:00p.m. (Talk will start at 7:30p.m.)
Speaker: R. Taggart Murphy, Professor and Chair of the MBA Program in International Business at the Tokyo Campus of the University of Tsukuba
Facebook Link

Continuing Education Seminars and Workshops at TUJ
Get up to speed on the latest hot topics by attending our short courses and seminars, which offer a great way to explore a special area of interest quickly.

Tokyo
Osaka

More Public lectures (ICAS: Institute of Contemporary Asian Studies)

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TUJInstitute of Contemporary Asian Studies (ICAS) hosts more than 40 lectures and symposiums each year, and invites top-class experts and specialists as speakers. Lecture topics range from politics, the economy, and foreign and military affairs, to cinema and pop culture. All events are open to the public and usually free of charge.

Is Ethical Consumption Going to Change Japan?
Date: Tuesday, April 3 2012
Time: 7:00p.m. (Talk will start at 7:30p.m.)
Speaker: Florian Kohlbacher, German Institute for Japanese Studies(DIJ), Tokyo
Facebook Page

Jacques Hymans: Japanese nuclear policy – Institutional obstacles to change
Date: Wednesday, April 11, 2012
Time: 7:00p.m. (Talk will start at 7:30p.m.)
Speakers: Jacques Hymans
Facebook

Get up to speed on the latest hot topics by attending our short courses and seminars, which offer a great way to explore a special area of interest quickly.

Tokyo
Osaka

FEW’s Career Strategies Seminar for Women, March 24th

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This full-day event provides presentations and workshops by experienced, successful women with a focus on hand-on learning to take your career and life to new heights. Where are you now? Where do you want to go? Looking to choose or change your path? Or want to start up and run your own business? These are just a few of the questions that you can start to answer by attending. It only happens every two years, so make 2012 your year for transformation.

Ticket price includes:

  • Lunch
  • Refreshments throughout the day
  • The closing session will be followed by a wine-tasting reception

More information at here!

Public lectures (ICAS: Institute of Contemporary Asian Studies)

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TUJInstitute of Contemporary Asian Studies (ICAS) hosts more than 40 lectures and symposiums each year, and invites top-class experts and specialists as speakers. Lecture topics range from politics, the economy, and foreign and military affairs, to cinema and pop culture. All events are open to the public and usually free of charge.

Ben Karp – Japan & African Americans from the Russo-Japanese War to Pearl Harbor
Date: Friday, March 2, 2012
Time: 7:00p.m. (Talk will start at 7:30p.m.)
Speaker: Ben Karp
http://www.facebook.com/events/273486469383791/

Extreme Japan: How the country will both soar and sink
Date: Thursday, March 8, 2012
Time: 7:00p.m. (Talk will start at 7:30p.m.)
Speaker: Kenneth Cukier
http://www.facebook.com/events/295724467147700/

Russia Outlook: Changes and Challenges After The Presidential Election
Date: Friday, March 16, 2012
Time: 7:00p.m. (Talk will start at 7:30p.m.)
Speaker: Nobuo Shimotomai, Professor, Faculty of Law, Hosei University
http://www.facebook.com/events/291054427625458/

Distinguished Lecturer Series for Spring 2012 (TESOL Program)

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TUJNine times a year, the Distinguished Lecturer Series brings three internationally-recognized TESOL scholars to TUJ for intensive weekend seminars. The first three hours of each seminar (Saturday from 2 – 5 p.m.) are free and open to the public.

Motivation and Autonomy in Language Learning: Theory, Practice and Research
Professor: Dr. Ema Ushioda (University of Warwick, UK)
Schedule:Tokyo – Saturday, March 24 from 2:00 to 9:00 p.m. and Sunday, March 25 from 10:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.
Osaka -  Saturday, March 31 from 2:00 to 9:00 p.m. and Sunday, April 1 from 10:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.

For details, please visit
Tokyo: http://www.tuj.ac.jp/newsite/main/tesol/tokyo/courses/dls_tokyo.html
Osaka: http://www.tuj.ac.jp/newsite/main/tesol/osaka/courses/dls_osaka.html

AJET Offers TEFL Certification Discount to Incoming JETs

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AJET remains firm in its commitment to support and share resources with the JET community. Earlier this year, AJET introduced an initiative designed to equip JETs with workplace tools and professional development opportunities that would help them grow and develop as educators in Japan. This included expanded access to lesson planning advice, information about continuing education programs, and the AJET Outstanding Educators Program. The goal is to contribute to a more professional, higher quality, JET that will serve as a positive reflection of the Programme itself.

 

As part of this Program, AJET has secured a special rate on TEFL certification for all current participants. In order to increase the number of JETs with formal training in English education before they arrive in Japan, AJET is pleased to announce that the discount on TEFL certification will be available as soon as applicants are admitted to the program. Beginning with the 2012-1023 JET year, new participants may obtain TEFL certification while in their home countries at a discounted rate as they prepare for departure, enabling them better able to take on the challenges of teaching for the first time. More information about the course is available here:

http://ajet.net/outstanding-educators-program/tefl-discount-for-jet-participants/

AJET Announces TEFL Scholarship Winners

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As part of the AJET Outstanding Educators Program, we are proud to announce Meredith Smith and Emily Johnson as the winners of this year’s TEFL scholarships. Both winners demonstrated outstanding activities not only in teaching, but in spreading the values of the JET program and internationalization in their communities. AJET would like to thank everyone who applied – with so many people extolling so many virtues, the decision was not easy.

We would also like to remind everyone that the AJET Outstanding Educators Program is offering a standing US$95 TEFL certification discount for all JETs. The online is offered to JETs for US$200, and includes tutorial support. To sign up, please go to http://ajet.net/outstanding-educators-program/tefl-discount-for-jet-participants/. You will need your JET number (to verify that you are a current JET) and an email address.

You can read the winning entries below:

Emily Johnson 1) How do you demonstrate an outstanding commitment to improving your English educational skills?

In my JHS, several of my students borrow English language comics, newspapers and books to read. As this is understandably challenging, I usually review the comics with the students and explain the meaning of the words they don`t know. In relation to this, I also set listening challenges, where the students listen for key words in English songs.

In Elementary School, I have implemented a `Jikoshokai Book` after I noticed that many of the students often forgot what they had learnt. The book contains all the major grammar points from Eigo Noto and every time we finish a chapter, the students add a new grammar point to their book.

I have also set up an exchange between one of my elementary schools and a school in the UK. We exchange PowerPoint’s and videos about our schools and daily lives, which helps to widen the students understanding of other cultures.

2) How do you uphold the principles of the JET Programme, including internationalization and commitment to your schools and local community?

Within School, I am a member of the Tea Ceremony Club, which I attend twice a week. I have participated in several field trips and helped during the school bunkasai.

Outside of school, I have taichi and dance classes once a week, as well as Japanese Lessons. This allows me to interact with many people within my community and I will be performing in the City Bunkasai soon.

I also attend an English conversation café, which I introduced to several new members (both JETs and non-JETS). I have also initiated an English cooking class in my city, which currently has fifteen members aged from eleven to fifty-eight.

I have also volunteered at several city events and festivals, specifically focusing on helping children make Jack-O-Lanterns. I have also volunteered at the AJET orphanage visits and at events raising money for the Tohoku relief effort.

Meredith Smith

1) How do you demonstrate an outstanding commitment to improving your English educational skills?

As an assistant English teacher on the JET Programme, it’s my duty to continually better my understanding of the English language and how to teach it. During classes, I take note of how JTEs explain parts of English grammar to their students. I also take note of student questions that frequently arise during lessons. I do my best to understand how the students and teachers approach English so that I can help them better. During my free time at work, I often read about how English grammar works so that I can feel more confident that what I’m teaching is clear and correct. I constantly focus on ways to improve my teaching by watching other teachers and how students respond to different activities and teaching styles. There is always room to improve.

2) How do you uphold the principles of the JET Programme, including internationalization and commitment to your schools and local community?

I have been working at my school in Fukui for just over 3 years now. My relationship with the students and staff is outstanding. I make myself open anytime to the students and staff for English practice/advice. I run my school’s English club and offer time after school and during lunch recess for tutoring. I am also very active within the Fukui community. I help the Fukui International Club promote and run their events, I’ve lead workshops/games/activities at the Fukui City International Festival and other events around the prefecture. I participate in nearly every English camp/seminar that the Fukui Kencho offers an opportunity to join. After students graduate from my school and if they are interested, I help them gather information about study abroad opportunities and make time to practice English with them on the Internet. I’m very committed to my job, co-workers, students and community.