mission and vision

Since 1985, the Japanese Language Teachers’ Training Seminar has invited renowned lecturers from countries such as Canada, Japan, and the United States to provide training in academic fields such as grammar and teaching methods. Initially, it was held as an all-day program at UBC (University of British Columbia) for one week in May every year, and it was also an opportunity to learn a lot as a Japanese language teacher. In the past, support was provided by the Japan Foundation and the Japan International Cooperation Agency, but these have now been discontinued and it is no longer possible to invite lecturers from Japan. In recent years, one-day training seminars have been held about once to three times a year.

日本語教師研修会は、１９８５年からカナダ、日本、アメリカなどの国々から著名な講師を招き、文法、教授法などの学術分野で研修を行っています。開催当初は毎年５月の1週間、UBC（ブリティッシュコロンビア大学）で終日プログラムとして行われ、日本語教師として多くの学びを得る機会でもありました。以前は交際交流基金や国際協力事業団からの支援がありましたが、現在は打ち切られ、日本から講師を招くことができなくなりました。近年では年に１回から３回ほど1日研修会を開催しています。

When the current Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) sponsored by the Japan Foundation was not yet available in British Columbia, a group of volunteer teachers from JALTA member schools came together to create and administer the test in the region. Over the course of more than six months, they collected questions (beginner, intermediate, advanced) and held numerous discussions. In April, the test was administered at the Vancouver Japanese Language School, consisting of written and listening tests. For the listening test, they also enlisted the help of a professional announcer. JALTA officials handled all of the application process, grading, and notification of results free of charge. Even after the Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) was introduced in British Columbia, it was still administered to lower grade students, but it came to an end after 10 years.

現在の国際交流基金主催の日本語能力試験（JLPT）がBC州でまだ実施されていなかった頃、JALTA加盟校の教師有志が集まり、この地域で日本語能力試験を作成し、実施しました。半年以上もかけて、何度も問題（初級、中級、上級）を集め、議論を重ねました。４月にバンクーバー日本語学校で実施ししたのは、筆記問題と聴解問題です。聴解問題では、プロのアナウンサーにも協力を仰ぎました。試験の申し込み受付、採点、結果通知などはすべてJALTA役員が無償で行いました。BC州での日本語能力試（JLPT）開始後も、低学年用向けに行っていましたが、１０年を期に終わりを迎えました。

In the study group, practical classroom activities such as how to make teaching materials and how to proceed with classes are the main focus. We conduct research presentations among teachers and study groups are divided into subcommittees.

勉強会では、教材作成や授業の進め方など、実践的な授業を中心に、教師間の研究発表、各グループに分かれての意見交換などを行っています。

The storytelling event, held every February, is an event where Japanese language learners can deeply appreciate the efforts they put in and the sense of accomplishment they feel after the presentation. Representatives from JALTA member schools write down their experiences, opinions, and claims, memorize them all, and then give their presentations.

毎年2月に行われているお話発表会は、日本語学習者の努力、そして発表後の達成感を深く実感することができるイベントです。JALTA加盟校の代表者は、自分が体験したこと、意見、主張などを文章にし、すべて暗記して発表に挑みます。

The Japanese Language Education Course is a course for parents of Japanese language learners. Experts talk about the benefits of being bilingual, and talk about the experiences of graduates who are glad they attended a Japanese language school. In the past, information was also provided to parents of students hoping to take the entrance exam for a Japanese university. It is not an annual event, but it provides useful information for parents of learners.

日本語教育講座とは、日本語学習者の保護者を対象にした講座です。専門家によるバイリンガルであることのメリットや、日本語学校に通って良かったという卒業生の体験談などを取り上げ、今までに日本の大学受験を希望する生徒の保護者への情報提供も行われました。毎年開催されるイベントではありませんが、学習者の保護者にとって有益な情報が得られる講座です。

The Chaleran, which has been held three times at the Burnaby Japanese Centre, was aimed at helping Japanese language learners continue their studies while having fun. Students from each school were free to participate in the annual event, playing games related to the Japanese language and culture. For this event, JALTA officials created the games and acted as hosts.

バーナビーの日系センターで過去３回開催された「チャレラン」は、日本語学習者が楽しみながら勉強を続けることを目的に行われました。各学校の生徒が自由に参加し、日本語や日本文化にかかわるゲームを行う年に1回のイベントでした。このイベントでは、JALTA役員がゲームを作り、進行役も務めました。

Selection of BC representatives for the Japanese Community Next Generation Development Training, sponsored by the Japan International Cooperation Agency. Previously, the selection of representative students in BC for the Japanese Community Next Generation Development Training was fully covered by the Japan International Cooperation Agency, and there were many students who applied, so the selection process consisted of essay writing and interviews. In recent years, participants from Canada have had to pay their own travel expenses, so each school has begun to handle the process of registering participants.

独立行政法人国際協力機構主催の日系社会次世代育成研修

BC州代表生徒選出

以前、日系社会次世代育成研修のBC州での代表生徒選出は、研修費用を国際協力機構が全額負担していたこともあり応募する生徒数も多く、代表者選考では作文や面接を行なっていました。近年では、カナダからの参加者は旅費が個人負担となったことで、各学校から参加者の手続きを行うようになりました。