Finding a conversation partner/teacher

Do you want to improve your Japanese but haven’t found the best learning situation yet?  Try this "do it yourself" kit compiled by Andrew Cerini over at the education center!

Who is this kit for?
Beginner to intermediate learners of Japanese. (yes, even CIRs)

Rationale
Many foreigners in Japan, especially living in the countryside, don’t have opportunities to join Japanese classes, let alone ones that suit their learning goals. This kit uses Japanese language as it exposes the advertisement to a wider group of people, hopefully increasing the chances of finding a good teacher or language partner. Even in large cities, Japanese language education (as a second language) is sadly lacking, inconsistent or too expensive.

How does this kit work?
Make an advertisement to find a teacher or language partner. Simply cut and paste the information you’d like to include I your advertisement. Add and remove information as your situation requires. The Japanese and English translation have been written so that the Japanese can be easily manipulated by even beginners.

Finding your sensei
Next, make it look nice, print, copy and stick up in places that attract the kind of person/people you’re looking for. Often the best thing is to show it to your co-workers or neighbours. They may even know a good person for you. An introduction is one of the best things a Japanese person can do for you. It usually implies that they think highly of you and that they are willing to take some responsibility for you. (It’s common sense, but it’s extra important to keep good relations with your sensei as any problems may come back to the introducer.)
You can’t always guarantee who you’ll get but at least you’re making a step towards learning and interacting.

Hints for a successful class - Negotiate for class time, content and language spoken etc
- Arrange a trial period and if it doesn’t meet your expectations, politely decline.
- Think of an ideal price before you talk about price (if it’s a paid class).

Things to watch out for
- Class at an inconvenient time/location
- Too many cancellations (not likely but...)
- Teacher who is not confident about language questions you need firm answers to
- Too much chat, not enough class
- Too much English
- Too many cups of tea and cake
- Someone who teaches you the local dialect thinking it is ‘Standard Japanese’
Be firm on what you want. In the end, you need to look after your own interests and not become an English practice machine.

[Note]: The following phrases are only a guide. You may not want to include so much information On the other hand, if there is not enough information, people may not be as likely to call you.

Advertisement Phrases

Opening phrases
Looking for a Japanese Teacher (lit. Recruiting a Japanese teacher)
日本語の先生を募集中

(I'm) Looking for a language exchange (partner)
交換レッスンを探しています。

I want to learn Japanese.
私は日本語を覚えたいです。

About yourself
I’m a 30 year old male / female Australian.
私はオーストラリア人で　３０　歳の　男　/　女　です。

I’m an Assistant Language Teacher / CIR at ____school/_____BoE.
私はschool name学校 / BoE name教育委員会の 外国語指導助手 / 国際交流員 です。(ALT starts with 外)

I’ve been in Japan for ...weeks / months / years.
Length of time in Japan 週 / ヶ月 / 年　 間、日本に住んでいます。

I plan to stay in Japan till...
date まで日本にいる予定です。

Your language ability
I...
私は...
1. ... have never studied Japanese before.以前日本語を勉強したことがありません。

2. ... can only say simple greetings.　簡単な挨拶しかできません。

3. ... know katakana and hiragana but not kanji.カタカナとひらがなはわかりますが漢字はまだわかりません。

4. ... took a short survival Japanese course before I came to Japan.来日前に、しばらサバイバル日本語講座を受けました。

5. ... studied Japanese at university.　学で日本語を勉強しました。

6. ... am interested in (Japanese) manga / traditional crafts / traditional arts / food / art.
（日本の）マンガ・伝統工芸・伝統芸術・和食・芸術 に興味があります。

Language Goals
I want to concentrate on the following:
私は次のことを集中的に学びたいです：

発音 pronunciation
会話 conversation
文法 grammar
漢字 kanji
読書 reading
日本の習慣　Japanese customs
電話のマナー Telephone manner
敬語　Honorifics (keigo)

I especially want to practice keigo and grammar in conversation and keigo (honorific Japanese)
特に会話での文法や敬語を練習したいです。

I would like to improve my telephone manner.
電話のマナーをうまくなりたい。

I want to take the Japanese Proficiency test, level ～ in December.
１２月に日本語能力試験～級を受けたいです。

I just want to speak Japanese.
ただ、日本語を話したいのです

Class Requirements
I would like to study in Japanese / English
私は 日本語 / 英語 を使って勉強したいと思います。

I would like to study mostly in English.
私はレッスンをほとんど 英語 で受けたいと思います。

I’m looking for a teacher with experience teaching Japanese.
先生は、日本語を教えた経験がある方を捜しています。

No teaching experience necessary
教えた経験がなくてもかまいません。

I would prefer an English and Japanese exchange lesson.
英語・日本語 交換レッスンのほうがいいと思います。

I’m not looking for a language exchange partner.
ランゲージ・エキスチェーンジ・パートナーを探してはいません。

I would prefer a female / male teacher.
女性・男性 の方を探しています。

Making an agreement
I can teach you (English)
私はあなたに(英語)を教えます。

I can pay \～ for a one hour lesson
一時間のレッスンに～円を払います。

Closing Phrases
Looking forward to hearing from you.
連絡をお待ちしています。

Please contact ～
～までご連絡下さい。

Telephone：電話
email：メール

On the telephone with potential exchange partner / Japanese teacher.

[NOTE]:This section assumes you can introduce yourself on the phone and say “yoroshiku onegaishimasu” etc. It can also be cut and pasted for email correspondence)

I am available Monday/Tuesday/Wednesday/Thursday/Friday/Saturday/Sunday morning/afternoon/evening from ～to～.
私は 月 / 火 / 水 / 木 / 金 / 土 / 日 曜日の午前中 / 午後 / 夜、 ９時～１０時まで空いています
watashi wa getsu / ka / sui / moku / kin / do / nichi youbi no gozenchu / gogo / yoru、　kuji kara juji made aiteimasu.

I can meet you at ～　town
(私は)～で会えます。
(Watashi wa) ～ de aemasu (you don’t necessarily need to say watashi wa in this situation)

I can meet you in ～　(specific shop or location)
私は～に待ち合わせできます。
(Watashi wa) ～ de omachi shimasu

What day and time is good for you?
何曜日、何時ごろがよろしいですか。
Nan youbi, nanji goro ga yoroshii desuka

Can you meet at 10 o’clock, Saturday morning in Shika Town at the Post Office.
土曜日(day)　午前(morning)　１０　時(o'clock)　に　志賀(town name) 町(town)　の　郵便局(place)　でお会いできますか。
Doyobi gozen ju ji ni Shika machi no yuubinkyoku de Oai dekimasuka

Let’s meet at 10 o’clock, Saturday morning in Shika Town at the Post Office.
土曜日 の 午前　 １０　時　に　志賀　町　の　郵便局　で会いましょう。
Doyobi　no gozen ju ji ni Shika machi no yuubinkyoku de aimashou

Compiled by Andrew Cerini, Prefectural Advisor, Ishikawa Prefecture Education Center 2003-2004

The process is far more efficient today with not only JET related groups and organizations, but home country (exchange groups and ex-prefectural chambers of commerce) as well as interest-related groups throughout Ishikawa Prefecture. The downside is that a large number of these groups are centered in the Kanazawa area.　

Kanazawa

ISHIKAWA FOUNDATION FOR INTERNATIONAL EXCHANGE　(IFIE)
石川県国際交流協会tel: 076-222-5931 center@ifie.or.jp http://www2.ifie.or.jp/
The prefecture government funds Ishikawa Foundation for International Exchange (IFIE) and its main functions are to carry out various international activities and support non-governmental organizations in the prefecture. IFIE is located in the "Rifare" building in Hon-machi, approximately 200 meters from the station.

IFIE is probably the best place in Ishikawa for both foreigners and Japanese interested in international activities to get information and make contacts. It is worth checking out the notice board before you buy things for your apartment as there are plenty of "for sale" notices for second-hand goods. There is a foreign language library with primarily English books, magazines, video-tapes and newspapers. There are also publications in other foreign languages. Most materials can be borrowed after completing an application for a library card. Books are lent out for two weeks, magazines and language tapes for one week. Two huge televisions located in the salon broadcast CNN and the NHK BS1, a mini-satellite station. There are also three computers available for public use in the library, through which you can access the internet or send e-mail.

The foundation’s ‘Ishikawa Japanese Studies enter’ wing offers Japanese language lessons for foreign residents. The regular program has classes for seven different ability levels. Classes are on Mondays and Thursdays or Tuesdays and Fridays in the morning, afternoon or evening. These classes cost 5,000 yen per month. Private lessons are also available for those who cannot attend the regular classes. Private lessons are 2,400 yen per hour before 5pm and 3,000 yen after 5pm. Completing an application form at the foundation does registration for all classes, and placement tests are held when applicable.

The foundation provides information on international exchange events and activities and advises foreign residents on matters related to living in Ishikawa. The staff at the foundation frequently answer all kinds of questions on a broad range of topics, so do not hesitate to contact the foundation for advice or information. The JETs working for the foundation are Rose Jeudi (USA), Justin Tobias (Australia), Sergei Shangin (Russia), Solange Pereira (Brazil), Kim Kwang Sik (Korea), Sun Jie (China)and Eric Ling (UK). The foundation is open from 9am to 6pm, Monday to Saturday and 9am to 5pm Sundays and public holidays.

ISHIKAWA EDUCATION AND RESEARCH CENTER (Map forthcoming)
石川県教育センター tel 076-298-3515
This center has two roles. It is a facility which holds seminars on a variety of subjects including computers, science, elementary school education, art, English and professional development (particularly for first year teachers). Its second role is research. Each year the center hosts about twenty individual researchers studying a wide range of subjects.  The English department conducts long and short term English seminars for junior and senior high school teachers.

The English department welcomes JETs and JTEs wishing to utilize the center's resources or to contribute ideas to the seminars. The center also has many facilities readily available. Do not hesitate to contact one of the JETs for information.

The center is located at U-31-1 Takao-machi, Kanazawa. Take the no. 30 bus from Kanazawa Station and get off at the Takao-Minami 1-chome (a forty minute ride). The center is located on a hill.

INTERNATIONAL LOUNGE
国際交流ラウンジ　tel: 076-221-9901 iilounge@violin.ocn.ne.jp
The International Lounge is a branch organization of IFIE, and offers a wide range of classes by volunteer teachers such as Japanese, cooking and traditional music, arts and crafts, kimono dressing, Japanese traditional dance, etc in a Japanese style house. Volunteer group also offers fun seasonal social events. Classes are FREE with students charged only for materials in the Ikebana(flower arranging) class. The International Lounge is located in Hirosaka, near Kanazawa City Hall. It is about a three-minute walk from Kencho-mae Bus Stop (Buses 18 and 19 from Kanazawa Station).

ISHIKAWA FOREIGN STUDENTS ASSOCIATION
石川県留学生協会 (076) 223-7421
The main objective of Ishikawa Foreign Students Association is to help out foreign students who are studying at colleges, technical schools and universities in the prefecture. Every Saturday from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., the association holds an "International Coffee Hour". It is open to everyone and it is free. It is held across the street from Meitetsu Marukoshi and Daiei Department Stores in the Musashigatsuji/Intelligent building on the 3rd floor.

KIEF　金沢国際交流財団 (076) 220-2522 kief@hot.iia.or.jp homepage: http://www.iia.or.jp/messe/kief/
The Kanazawa International Exchange Foundation (KIEF) organizes exchange events for Japanese and non-Japanese residents of Kanazawa. These events include Home Visit Day, traditional culture tours and more. Register at KIEF to receive their English newsletter and upcoming events’ notices. KIEF continues to produce a fantastic series of newsletters in English about day-to-day living in Kanazawa (but also applicable to other areas of Ishikawa) on topics such as: emergency procedures/calls, car ownership, alien registration, the Kanazawa bus system, the post office, banking, garbage & recycling. The foundation is located on the 2nd floor of the Rifare building at Hon-machi 1-5-3. The office is open from 9am to 5pm, Monday through Friday.

Nanao

FORUM NANAO
フォーラム七尾 (0767) 52-5222
Forum Nanao is a cultural center located on the 4th floor of the new "Patria" Shopping Center which is across the street from Nanao JR Station. It offers a plethora of classes on everything from Japanese cultural classes (tea ceremony, calligraphy, ikebana, shamisen, art and craft, etc) to aerobics, yoga, rhythm and folk dance, cooking and so on.

NANAO NIHONGO GROUP
日本語グループ
Mrs. Ohboshi is the representative for Nihongo Group, an organization which offers instruction in Japanese. Currently, many JETs in the Nanao area study with the group, which offers both beginners group and private lessons.

Komatsu

KOMATSU INTERNATIONAL EXCHANGE FOUNDATION
小松市国際交流協会 tel: (0761) 21-2226
This is a new organization in Komatsu which operates a salon in the Youka-ichimachi at the end of the shopping arcade, a two minute walk from the train station. It costs \1000 to join, has foreign newspapers and magazines, cable TV, free coffee, tea and cakes, Samba once a month (with the recent addition of a samba team!), cooking lessons, ikebana, sports events and much more. It also has four extremely reasonable Japanese courses ranging from beginner to intermediate at \1500 per MONTH (semesters starting in January and mid/late July) or \700 per private lessons (on demand).

Tatsunokuchi

TATSUNOKUCHI INTERNATIONAL CLUB/TATSUNOKUCHI KOKUSAI KORYU KYOUKAI JAPANESE CLASS
辰口町国際交流クラブ・辰口国際交流協会日本語教室 (0761) 52-8006
Tatsunokuchi International Club is run by the Tatsunokuchi CIR (Damon SEXTON) and aims to get Japanese and foreign (the younger crowd) residents together through trips (skiing, overseas trips to Korea,..), parties (X-mas, social events) and sports events every month. Tatsunokuchi also runs free Japanese classes for beginners, intermediate and advanced level foreign residents at the Sentan Daigakuin (JAIST) in Tatsunokuchi Town - for further info. call at (0761) 52-8006.

Shika-machi

SMILE (Shika Machi-ites for International Exchange)
志賀町国際交流協会　tel (0767) 32-1111
This is an active group of about 100 members. The aim of this organization is simple: to promote international understanding and awareness. There are three to four annual events a year and they range in content from parties to workshops. If you are available for any of their events please come out, as they would love to see you, especially at the Halloween or Christmas parties. The personal contact for SMILE is Mr. Kawano who can be reached by telephone at (0767) 48-1451 (bh) tohru@sky.hokuriku.ne.jp .

Kaga-city

KAGA CITY MUNICIPAL EXCHANGE COUNCIL
加賀市都市交流協議会
Contact the Kaga City Town planning division加賀市町作り課 at (0761) 72-7835 for info. A beginners Japanese class is held. Please call for details!

Neagari

NEAGARI B.O.E. LIFELONG LEARNING DIVISION
根上町教育委員会生涯学習課 (0761)55-8552
Japanese classes are available for learners ranging from beginner to advanced. Call for details!

Matto

MATTO MORNING GLORY
松任モーニンググローリー (076)275-9033
Six Japanese classes for beginner through intermediate levels are offered. Private classes are also available on request.　

Nanatsuka

NANATSUKA TOWN B.O.E. ADULT EDUCATION DIVISION
七塚町教育委員会社会教育課 (076) 285-1100
The Adult Education Division offers a beginners Japanese class which focusses on conversational ability but also introduces Japanese culture, at the Nanatsuka-machi Shougai Gakushuu Center - Call for details!

Nakajima

NAKAJIMA TOWN JAPANESE CLASS
中島町日本語教室 (0767) 66-0351.
Offering a beginners Japanese class every Saturday from 14:00 ~ 16:00h. Call for details!

Yamanaka

YAMANAKA TOWN INTERNATIONAL. EXCHANGE ASSOCIATION
山中町国際交流協会 (0761) 78-0544
Contact the number above for details on international activities and lifestyle information.

Prefecture-wide

AJET (ISHIKAWA PREFECTURE)
AJET (Association for Japan Exchange and Teaching) is an organization run by and for JET participants. It is coordinated by volunteers and organizes activities such as welcome and farewell parties, club nights and beach parties, as well as the "Professional Day" for the entire JET community. Members receive a monthly newsletter, the "Kokuban" magazine and six issues of "AJET across Japan" from the national AJET network. Members can use the "Tatami Timeshare" services and have access to publications such as "The Team Taught Pizza" and "JET and Beyond". Profits from some of AJET activities are donated to charity and there is also a charity concert once a year.

JALT (JAPANESE ASSOCIATION FOR LANGUAGE TEACHING)
JALT homepage
JALT is a friendly and professional national organization for language teachers. The local Kanazawa chapter holds regular events and workshops focussing on practical teaching techniques and methodology open to everyone on the 3rd Sunday of each month at the Shakai Kyoiku Center, 3-2-15 Honda-machi, Kanazawa. JALT also publishes a monthly magazine containing many innovative teaching ideas and is sent directly to all members. For others interested, it is available in Maruzen.

Other Japanese language study

Most JETs who cannot take these Japanese classes usually study on their own or hire a private tutor (usually through a teacher at their school). Some second and third-year JETs also enroll in CLAIR's Japanese Language Course. Working towards proficiency in Japanese not only means day-to-day conversational ability and an excellent way to appreciate the nation’s culture, but also provides you with concrete achievements while a participating on the JET Programme. To this end, several tests of Japanese language proficiency exist.

For cultural courses, all JETs, especially those living out in the country, might consider enrolling in classes sponsored by their municipality's Social Education Division or take lessons privately. Please ask your co-workers or supervisors for further information.

Some recommended textbooks

Japanese For Everyone by Nagara is a great book for studying grammar, basic vocabulary, writing and more. Japanese for Busy People by Association for Japanese Language Teaching is an excellent beginners text - only problem is lots of romaji (Japanese written in roman characters) - some people want this, others don’t. Kana Can Be Easy by Kunihiko Ogawa - simple reference book to help remember Kana with useful pictures. Minna no Nihongo - a popular textbook for use in classes. Many CIRs, having studied the Japanese language as a specialist subject, are able to provide guidance on which textbooks and materials are worthwhile too.

English publications/newsletters in Ishikawa

In Ishikawa, there are a number of pamphlets written in English about local attractions and communities. In addition, there are several newsletters which provide current information about the prefecture. The International Affairs Division PAs (Etsuko Hariki and Rose Jeudi) issue a JET Programme newsletter called VIP for all JETs, which features events, for sales, JET news/events. The ALT PA/advisors at the Ishikawa Education and Research Center put out a monthly newsletter called FYI which focuses on ALT related issues. Additionally, IFIE produces a monthly multi-lingual newsletter called Uh-Huh that is sent out to all Ishikawa JETs, and features topical articles as well as monthly events, movies, festivals and lifestyle information. Participation is the name of the game: if you’d like to write a piece for any of these newsletters, or post a for sale/event notice, contact the respective editors.

Kanazawa convention times

Homepage
Kanazawa Convention Times provides restaurant, shopping and event information in English. Since the newsletter is put together by the Kanazawa Convention Bureau (tel 076-224-8400), its information is basically on Kanazawa and is tourist-related. There are, however, some articles on attractions outside the city.

Japanese language proficiency exam

(Nihongo Noryoku Shiken日本語能力試験)
Designed to test learners writing/vocabulary, listening, reading and grammar, the internationally recognized Proficiency Test is held in Japan (domestically by AIEJ: http://www.aiej.or.jp) and abroad, at the beginning of December every year. In Japan you can sit for it in Saitama, Chiba, Tokyo, Kanagawa, Aichi, Kyoto, Osaka, Hyogo, Hiroshima and Fukuoka.

LEVEL 1: This level is normally reached after studying Japanese for around 900 hours
LEVEL 2: This level is normally reached after studying Japanese for around 600 hours and after completion of an intermediate course.
LEVEL 3: This level is normally reached after studying Japanese for around 300 hours and after completion of an elementary course.
LEVEL 4: This level is normally reached after studying Japanese for around 150 hours and after completion of the first half of an elementary course.

Pick up an application form on sale from the beginning of August at major bookstores throughout Japan for 510 a copy. The cost of the test is 5,200 yen (to be paid through the prescribed postal transfer order form) and must be paid along with the application between the beginning of August and September. Please note that it is possible to sit for the test in other countries, but you have to apply at the city you want to sit for the test. In case you don’t know where you will be in December but still want to take the test, the only solution would be to apply at all cities you might be at then. Additionally, you cannot apply for the test outside Japan with a form purchased in Japan. You are supposed to obtain an application form at the place you will take the test.　

JETRO business Japanese test

JETRO offers a test of business Japanese proficiency. Test locations are Tokyo, Osaka, Sapporo, Niigata, Tochigi, Nagoya and Fukuoka JETRO branches, and is held more frequently that the general proficiency test. Costs and dates differ - for more information see the website: Jetro Website

JET program Japanese language course

CLAIR offers several correspondence courses for JETS each year. Beginning, intermediate and advanced Japanese language courses, as well as translation & interpreting and linguistics & pedagogy courses, are available. Applications and information packs are sent directly to every JET, but information is also available from your PA.