Events & Programmes Archive

[The Japan Foundation Touring Film Programme 2023 Online Talk Series] Ito (Itomichi), one of the popular films selected for the Japan Foundation Touring Film Programme 2023, is a charming coming-of-age story about a talented teenage Shamisen player. Almost all the dialogue in the film is conducted in Tsugaru-ben (Tsugaru dialect) which is known as one of the most difficult dialects and is often subtitled even in Japan. In this webinar, in conjunction with the Japan Foundation Touring Film Programme 2023, we invite two lecturers from the University of Edinburgh: Ms Narumi-Munro, who is a native speaker of Tsugaru dialect, and Dr MacBain, a researcher who has lived in Aomori prefecture where the Tsugaru dialect is spoken. They will deliver interesting talks about linguistic diversity in Japan, the uniqueness of the Tsugaru dialect, real funny stories about everyday life with Tsugaru dialect, and a special taster lesson! Why don’t you join us and get a feel for the uniqueness of the language? About the speakers Ms Fumiko Narumi-Munro  (Head of Japanese Language in Asian Studies,School of Literatures, Languages, and Cultures, University of Edinburgh) Fumiko Narumi-Munro teaches Japanese language to undergraduate students, and is the course organiser for most of the University of Edinburgh’s Japanese language courses. She is also Year Abroad coordinator for Japanese studies at the University of Edinburgh. She was born and raised in Hirosaki, Aomori, and is a native speaker of Tsugaru dialect. She also has a master’s degree in History of Art at Hirosaki University. For more information about her Dr Abigail MacBain (Lecturer in Premodern Japanese Studies, School of Literatures, Languages, and Cultures, University of Edinburgh) Abigail MacBain is a scholar of premodern Japanese history and religion. Prior to joining the University of Edinburgh in 2022, Abigail was a Postdoctoral Research Scholar and lecturer at Columbia University, where she also completed her PhD in the Department of East Asian Languages & Cultures in 2021.  She also participated the JET Programme as an Assistant Language Teacher in the Tsugaru area, Aomori Prefecture in 2004-2006. For more information about her Event Overview Webinar title: Tsugaru Dialect: One of the most difficult dialects in Japan Date & Time: Wednesday 22 March 2023, 18:30-20:00 GMT Event type: Zoom webinar                     *This online event is free to attend but registration is essential.   Registration (deadline: 20 March 2023) Please book your ticket here.   Contact: The Japan Foundation, London Language Team: events.japanese@jpf.go.jp  

Calling all secondary school teachers of Japanese! We will be holding a fifth Online Get-Together. This is a great opportunity to talk with your colleagues about your work in a relaxed, casual setting. We hope you can use this as a chance to talk about any issues you are facing in the classroom, exchange information on exams, and more.   As well as group discussion sessions, Mrs Shoko Middleton will be giving a talk on the theme of “Example of entry level lessons as an enrichment class – What skills students gain and how their possibilities broaden – ”. , Mrs Kaye Jackson and Mr Martin Buck from Skills and Education Group (SEG) will explain about their assessment process, followed by a presentation by Mrs Noriko William, SEG moderator.   About the speakers Shoko Middleton has taught Japanese to a wide range of students in England for 20 years including at primary, secondary, university and adult education levels, from beginners to advanced learners. She currently teaches Japanese at Sherborne Girls and Imperial College London. Her interests are positive cross-cultural communication and using music in language classrooms to enhance learners' language acquisition.   Noriko Williams is a Japanese moderator for Skills and Education Group. She is an experienced teacher of Japanese at all levels including GCSE, A-Level, IB and SEG. She has taught at private schools, colleges, and at university in the southwest of England since 1996. Her interests are developing teaching/learning materials, gardening, landscaping and skiing.   Kaye Jackson, Head of Relationship Management, Skills and Education Group Martin Buck, Head of Assessment and Product Development, Skills and Education Group   Date: 21st March 2023 (Tuesday), 16:00-17:30 (BST)   Schedule: First half: Presentations by the speakers Second half: Group discussion   To apply, please click here. Participation fee: Free (Registration in advance is required.) Registration Deadline: 14th March Languages used: English/Japanese   You can read some comments from participants of the previous Online Get-Togethers below: It was really good to join in with fellow Japanese colleagues from around the country (and world!) and listen and see in Japanese how these colleagues created and use these resources. I spent a hugely worthwhile time getting to talk with other teachers that I do not often get a chance to meet and exchange new information. I have gotten a lot of ideas and tips from the speaker’s presentation. Thanks to the presentation I think I can improve my teaching skills to encourage my pupils to learn more!

The BAJS/Japan Foundation Postgraduate Japanese Studies Workshop is returning for its 12th year and will be held at SOAS, University of London.

The 18th Japanese Speech Contest for University Students - Finals Day / 第１8回大学生のための日本語スピーチ・コンテスト　決勝大会 Why not join us for the Finals Day of the 18th Japanese Speech Contest for University Students and listen to what university students studying Japanese in the UK and Ireland have to say! The finalists will give their speeches and presentations in Japanese to an audience consisting of members of the public, fellow students, teachers, families, key figures from the UK-Japan community and a panel of judges. This event is FREE to attend, but prior registration is required. This event will be in person at King's College London.* * (The event may take place online depending on the circumstances regarding Covid-19.) Registration link – Coming soon  The Eighteenth Japanese Speech Contest for University Students is organised by the British Association for Teaching Japanese as a Foreign Language (BATJ) and the Japan Foundation London in joint partnership. The event provides an opportunity for students from the UK and Ireland to demonstrate their Japanese speaking skills. Please note that the timing of the day's event are TBD. Download our event poster! - Coming soon.

We are delighted to announce that the 18th Japanese Speech Contest for University Students is open for applications!   This contest gives students the chance to make their voices heard in Japanese, and win some fantastic prizes! Finals Day will be held at King’s College London, on Saturday 4th March 2023. This is the first in-person Finals Day in three years! (Please note that this event may take place online depending on the circumstances regarding Covid-19.   :: Contest Aims The main purpose of the event is to improve the speaking and presentation skills of students studying Japanese as a foreign language. Through this event, we hope to promote Japanese language learning at higher education level in the UK and Ireland.   :: Who can apply? The contest is aimed at undergraduate students who are currently studying Japanese as a foreign language at a university in the UK or Ireland. There are three different categories: 1. Speech Category:  For those studying a Japanese course aiming for the equivalent of JF standard C1 or C2 at a university the UK or Ireland including as an elective, optional or other university-based language course. Five finalists will be selected. Application Deadline: 7th November 2022 (15:00 GMT) 2. Individual Presentation Category: For those studying a Japanese course aiming for the equivalent of JF standard B1 or B2. Participants will give a PowerPoint presentation using Japanese. The aim of the presentation is to introduce a particular theme to the audience, for example a region, event, custom, etc. from the UK or another country outside Japan. Five finalists will be selected. Application Deadline: 5th December 2022 (15:00 GMT) 3. Group Presentation Category: For those studying a Japanese course aiming for the equivalent of JF standard A1 or A2. Participants will take part in groups of two to four students and give a PowerPoint presentation using Japanese. The aim of the presentation is to introduce a particular theme to the audience, for example a region, event, custom, etc. from the UK or another country outside Japan. Five groups which are selected to present during the finals day will be given a special award. Application Deadline: 12th December 2022 (15:00 GMT)   *Details of JF Standard can be found here: https://jfstandard.jp/pdf/jfs2015_pamphlet_eng.pdf Videos from the 17th Contest Finals Day can be viewed here   Please see the files below for the contest poster, FAQ, and application forms for each category:    

The Consulate General of Japan in Edinburgh and the Japanese Studies department at the University of Edinburgh are delighted to welcome you to a free Japanese Film Festival at the University of Edinburgh. Organised in partnership with the Japan Foundation.   Little Lights, Little Love Thursday 9 February 5:15pm   Key of Life Friday 17 February 5:15pm   Neko Ninja Friday 24 February 5:15pm

The Japan Foundation Touring Film Programme is back in Feb-March 2023! Official line-up is announced here. #JFTFP23

For those seeking an insightful and contemporary discussion on Japanese cinema, A Companion to Japanese Cinema is the right book for you!We are pleased to be in partnership with Japan Research Centre (JRC) SOAS, for this fascinating book’s online launch and talk event on 24 January. For more information on the book, click here.   Date: 24 January 2023 4pm to 6:30pm Venue: Online, hosted by Zoom   To register for the event, click here.

A netsuke is a clothing accessory, used since the Edo period (1603-1868). Initially a simple toggle to attach personal items such as money pouches to a person's obi (a sash worn with kimono), netsuke have become intricately carved miniature sculptures.   From 20 January at Oriental Museum, Durham, visit an exhibition which presents contemporary netsuke crafts, allowing visitors to explore the subtle and highly artistic skills embodied in these miniature crafts of work.   Date: Friday 20 January to Sunday 14 May, 2023. Venue: Spalding Gallery of Japan, Oriental Museum, Durham [Free - no booking required]  

This online event welcomes Fusae KOJIMA, a former president of the Kyomachiya Council, to talk about Machiya, historic wooden townhouses in Japan, Kyoto. Co-organised by the Japan Foundation and Kyomachiya Council, instigated by Sakiko NISHIHARA. Photo credit (top image): Shigeya Inoue / 井上成哉   Date: Tuesday, 13 December 2022 from 1.00 pm (GMT) Online Event hosted on Zoom   For more information and booking: CLICK HERE

The Japan Foundation in Europe (Cologne, London, Madrid, Paris, and Rome offices) will jointly hold an online teachers’ seminar on the course book “IRODORI: Japanese for Life in Japan” on 10th December 2022. The theme, date and time of the seminar are as follows. Please find the event details below written in Japanese. *Please note that only information in Japanese is available as the seminar will be conducted in Japanese. Thank you for your understanding.    Theme: Practice Report on the textbook "IRODORI: Japanese for Life in Japan”  Date/Time: 10th December 2022 (Saturday),  9:00-11:30 (GMT/UTC)  Application Deadline: 4th December 2022 (Sunday) 22:59（GMT/UTC）  Enquiries:  The Japan Cultural Institute in Paris: kenshu@mcjp.fr (Japanese)    Japan Foundation, London enquiries: events.japanese@jpf.go.jp  (Japanese / English)   ------- このたび、欧州にある国際交流基金（The Japan Foundation）6拠点共催で、国際交流基金開発コースブック『いろどり　生活の日本語』をテーマにした研修会を開催いたします。『いろどり』はオンラインですべて無料で入手いただける教材です。 実際にこの教材を使って実践をされている先生をお招きし、教材の解説や実践の様子などをお話しいただきます。 どうぞふるってご参加ください。   日時：2022年12月10日（土）9：00～11:30 （GMT/UTC） 講師：武井康次郎（国際交流基金マレーシア派遣日本語上級専門家） 形式：オンライン（Zoom） 使用言語：日本語 対象：欧州在住の日本語教師および日本語教育を先行している大学院生で『いろどり　生活の日本語』に関心がある方 　（上記の方を主たる対象としていますが、その他の知己の方の参加も可能です） 参加費：無料 お申込み：https://forms.gle/B3bDCryyAMjXNQsR6 お申込み締切：2022年12月4日（日）22:59（GMT/UTC） 問い合わせ： 　国際交流基金パリ日本文化会館日本語事業部 kenshu@mcjp.fr（日本語／フランス語） 　国際交流基金ロンドン日本文化センター events.japanese@jpf.go.jp （日本語／英語）   その他の詳細はフライヤーをご覧ください。 フライヤー