JET Alum Video: Eigo Noto – a new perspective
Humor, Uncategorized, Video 
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I found this JET-made parody video (which I’ve since found out was made by Lena Franco (Okayama-ken, 2008-10)) after seeing it posted on a fellow JET alum’s Facebook status:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AQrfiJ2WFeQ
And one more cute and fun video by Lena titled “Souljia Boy” which is a compilation of video clips where she taught students the dance that goes with the tune:
http://www.youtube.com/user/francol86
JET alum James Kennedy turns “Odd-Fish” novel into school curriculum
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In a rather brilliantly creative move, James Kennedy (Nara-ken, 2004-06), author of the acclaimed young adult novel The Order of Odd-Fish, has developed a classroom guide for the novel which is intended to be used by school teachers in class with their students.
In James’ own words:
Some schools have put The Order of Odd-Fish on their reading lists. That’s great!
So I’ve put together a classroom guide for Odd-Fish. It’s 44 pages of discussion questions, lesson plans, and projects. It also features Odd-Fish fan art by enthusiastic readers—art that was featured in our Odd-Fish gallery show in Chicago in April 2010.
This curriculum does the strangeness of the book justice, I think. Aside from the chapter-by-chapter worksheets, there are also activities such as inventing your own Odd-Fish specialty, writing your own articles for the Eldritch Snitch, researching Japanese rituals that inspired the Odd-Fish festivals, baking avant-garde pies, creating urk-ack music, and inventing one’s own Eldritch City mythologies.
It’s also gateway to other fields of study. The knights of the Odd-Fish are, after all, scholars as well as warriors. This curriculum touches on topics as disparate as cockroach anatomy, Shinto and Hindu mythology, the KGB, Wikipedia, foppery, real-life historical eccentrics, and more.
Download the guide for free here. And of course, I always enjoy visiting schools, either in person or by Skype.
Go pester your teachers now! I’m doing this for you, people!
And in JetWit’s opinion, while the novel is in the young adult category, it’s also one of the funniest books you’ll ever read as an adult. To read more JetWit posts about James, click here. And watch the below video to see James doing an extremely dramatic reading from the book at last year’s JET Alumni Author Showcase in New York:
Job: Freelance Translator, Golf Channel
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Job posting by Lauren Sethney (Niigata-shi CIR, 2000-2003). Lauren serves as the Program Director at the Japan-America Society in Dallas-Fort Worth.
Via the Golf Channel
Title: Freelance English>Japanese Translator (work from home)
Reports to: Director of International Operations Japan
Overview: Freelance translator will create a typed Japanese translation script of Golf Channel’s English language programming. Translation scripts must be broadcast quality in a ready-to-read format for Japanese voice talent.
Job Responsibilities:
- Translate all programming material from English to Japanese
- Type Japanese translations with time code in Microsoft Word
- Proofread and e-mail voice over-ready Japanese translation scripts
Minimum Requirements:
- Native Japanese ability (Tokyo Standard, reading, writing, speaking)
- Near-native English (reading, writing, speaking)
- English to Japanese translation experience; broadcast translation experience preferred
- Excellent knowledge of the game of golf and its vernacular
- Experience with Japanese OS and word processing (Microsoft)
- Ability to work with tight deadlines
- Weekly commitment preferred
Qualified candidates should apply directly to Debra Conrad at dconrad@golfchannel.com
WIT Life #120: Domestic challenges
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WITLife is a periodic series written by professional Writer/Interpreter/Translator Stacy Smith (Kumamoto-ken CIR, 2000-03). She starts her day by watching Fujisankei’s newscast in Japanese, and here she shares some of the interesting tidbits and trends together with her own observations.
Yesterday’s NYT had an article about the rise of Japan’s very own Tea Party. It profiles the rise of the Zaitokukai, or the Citizens Group That Will Not Forgive Special Privileges for Koreans in Japan. In comparison to old-line rightist groups this movement is known as the Net right, as they are organized via the Internet and come together for demonstrations. The article focused on their protest last December at an elementary school for ethnic Koreans. This year they also picketed theaters showing the documentary The Cove, which they perceive to be anti-Japanese. The group is led by a 38-year old man who insists that foreigners have caused Japan to go in the wrong direction (members even harassed some Westerners for wearing Halloween costumes!). The far right writes them off as amateur attention seekers, but nevertheless this is a disturbing trend.
In WSJ coverage this morning, there is discussion of how a majority of Read More
Job: Associate Program Officer, Center for Global Partnership (New York)
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Qualifications:
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Minimum of a college degree in a related area;
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Strong analytical skills; the ability through questioning and informal research to understand the feasibility and implications of submitted proposals;
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Desire to think creatively, explore new ideas, and develop new networks to foster innovative program ideas and funding initiatives;
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Strong oral and written communication skills in English;
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Strong organizational skills, keen attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously;
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Ability to work independently and as part of a team;
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Understanding of contemporary Japan; experience living in Japan and proficiency in the Japanese language, including translating ability, preferred.
Books: Lars Martison’s “Tonoharu” gets favorable write-up on BoingBoing, makes Amazon’s Top Ten Bestselling Graphic Novels list
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There’s a nice review of JET alum Lars Martinson’s graphic novel Tonoharu: Part 1 on the BoingBoing site written by Mark Frauenfelder titled “Tonoharu: Excellent graphic novel about an English teacher in Japan.” And according to Lars’ blog,
“Thanks to Mark Frauenfelder’s writeup about Tonoharu: Part One on Boing Boing, the book has made it into Amazon.com’s Top Ten Bestselling Graphic Novels today!”
Here’s the link to the review: http://www.boingboing.net/2010/08/27/tonoharu-excellent-g.html
Here’s a quote from the review:
“Published in 2008, and a winner of the prestigious Xeric Award, Tonoharu is a story of isolation, frustration, and mystery, with just the right amount of black humor to keep it from being depressing.”
For fans awaiting the next installment, Tonoharu: Part 2 is due out in December.
Jobs: 2 Openings at Global Career Partners Inc (Seattle/Tokyo)
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Via the PNWJETAA Listserv:
Position in Seattle:
- Sales/Purchase
- Industry: Trading
- Salary 35K-50K, full benefits
Duties:
- Purchases agricultural products from suppliers in the US and sells to vendors in Japan, China and Taiwan
- Develop new markets and customers
Qualifications: Read More
JET ROI: More extensive Kyodo News article on JETAA USA Conference
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Kyodo News has published a more extensive article on the JETAA USA National Conference (“US JET alums rally to save group’s funding from chopping block”) held in New York City August 12-15. Quotes from JETAA NY President Megan Miller (Hyogo-ken, 2000-02) feature prominently and help make the case for the value of JETAA to Japan while building on existing momentum. Such as:
“We now have a unified goal and position, which enables us to send a strong and consistent message to the Japanese government and to our local communities that JET and JETAA are not only worthwhile but essential to U.S.-Japan relations.”
Here’s the link to the full article in The Mainichi Daily: http://mdn.mainichi.jp/features/news/20100826p2g00m0fe075000c.html
And here’s a scan of the first page of the original Kyodo article which includes a photo of Megan. (The Kyodo version is only available via subscription.)
Click here for more JetWit posts about this topic and related media coverage.
Notable JET Alums: Maynard Plant and Monkey Majik
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Members of Monkey Majik with Deputy Minister Len Edwards
Maynard Plant (Aomori-ken, 1997-2000) is the founder of the well-known Japan-based band Monkey Majik (www.monkeymajik.com), which consists of two Canadian members (Maynard and his brother Blaise) and two Japanese members-tax and DICK.
For more information you can check out their:
- Website: www.monkeymajik.com
- Wikipedia entry (where you’ll learn about the origins of the band as well as how Maynard is fluent in Aomori-ben): http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monkey_Majik
- Embassy of Japan in Canada press release: “Goodwill Ambassadors, Monkey Majik, arrive in Ottawa to celebrate the 80th Anniversary of Japan-Canada Diplomatic Relations”
Here is their song Change with the Yoshida Brothers (a video all JET alums will appreciate):
Do you know of any notable JET alums? Let us know at jetwit [at] jetwit.com.
Call for Volunteers: JET Ambassadors for School Visits
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From Mauric Maloney, President of JETAA DC:
We’d like to thank those members who responded to our earlier call for volunteers for the JET Ambassadors Program. This is a second call for volunteers before we begin our orientation and school visits in the fall.
The JET Ambassadors program wishes to establish a network of volunteers who can visit local schools and discuss their experiences in Japan through photos, videos, games, and other props.
The main focus of these presentations will be life at a Japanese school, but they will vary from person to person.
The goal is to begin presentations in the Fall of 2010 and include all interested schools in the JETAADC area, including the Baltimore Region, Annapolis and the Eastern Shore, Richmond and other points South, and even West Virginia. So regardless of your distance from D.C., please respond if you are interested.
Each presenter will receive be reimbursed for his or her time and travel.
If you are interested, please respond to this e-mail with the following information.
Name:
Current Location:
Preferred E-mail address:
Phone:
Years on JET:
Prefecture:
Grade Levels Taught in Japan:
Current Profession:
Access to Metro/Public Transport:
Access to Car:
There will be an orientation on September 14 at the Embassy of Japan. More details will follow. Please respond by Friday August 27 if you are interested. If you have any other questions, do not hesitate to contact me.
Maurice Maloney
President, JETAADC
president.dc@jetalumni.org
PS – If you know of or work at a school that might be interested in receiving visitors, please let us know with the name of the school, its location, and the best person to contact.
Notable JET Alums: Barefoot Ted
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Thanks to JET alum Sacha Battrick (currently working at CLAIR-Tokyo) for sharing this:
Barefoot Ted (aka Ted McDonald), a JET from 93-96, has established himself as one of the leading proponents of barefoot running. He’s also has a company that makes sandals based on models originally developed by indigenous peoples. He gave a Google talk about barefoot running back in March for the Authors@Google series.
More info about Ted at his blog: www.barefootted.com
Do you know of any notable JET alums? Let us know at jetwit [at] jetwit.com.
JET ROI: Japanese media coverage of the JETAA USA National Conference
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Update 8/25/10: Kyodo has put out an English version of the article. Here are links:
- http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/nn20100817a8.html
- http://www.japantoday.com/category/national/view/us-alumni-call-for-continuation-of-jet-program
Kyodo News Service ran an article in Japanese on the JETAA USA National Conference dated August 16 that was carried by a number of Japanese local newspapers. The article resulted from the JETAA press release issued at the end of the Conference. Below is the list of the papers. Thanks to Noriko Furuhata of the Consulate General of Japan in New York for sharing the information. (BTW, if anyone wants to write up an English summary of the article in the comments section of this post, that would be greatly appreciated.):
- 徳島新聞 Tokushima Shimbun http://www.topics.or.jp/worldNews/worldTopics/2010/08/2010081601000165.html
- 京都新聞 Kyoto Shimbun http://www.kyoto-np.co.jp/politics/article/20100816000030
- 千葉トピ Chiba Nippo http://www.chibanippo.co.jp/news/world/entertaiment_kiji.php?i=nesp1281924322
- 山形新聞 Yamagata Shimbun http://yamagata-np.jp/news_core/index_pr.php?kate=Lifestyle_Human_Interest&no=2010081601000165&keyword=%A5%B8%A5%A7%A5%A4%A5%BD%A5%F3
- 新潟日報 Niigata Nippo https://www.niigata-nippo.co.jp/world/lifestyle/2010081601000165.html
- 大分合同新聞 Oita Godo Shimbun http://www.oita-press.co.jp/worldTopics/2010/08/2010081601000165.html
- 山陽新聞 Sanyo Shimbun http://www.sanyo.oni.co.jp/news_k/news/d/2010081601000165/
- 河北新報 Kahoku Shimpo http://www.kahoku.co.jp/news/2010/08/2010081601000165.htm
- 西日本新聞 Nishi Nippon Shimbun http://www.nishinippon.co.jp/nnp/item/191143
- 山陰中央新報 Sanin Chuo Shinpo http://www.sanin-chuo.co.jp/newspack/modules/news/article.php?storyid=1059682016
- 北國・富山新聞 Hokkoku Toyama Shimbun http://www.hokkoku.co.jp/newspack/09kurasi2010081601000165.html
- 高知新聞 Kochi Shimbun http://203.139.202.230/?&nwSrl=224803&nwVt=npd
- 中日新聞 Chunichi Shimbun http://www.chunichi.co.jp/s/article/2010081601000165.html
- 神戸新聞 Kobe Shimbun http://www.kobe-np.co.jp/knews/0003323442.shtml
- 下野新聞 Shimotsuke Shimbun http://www.shimotsuke.co.jp/news/domestic/life/news/20100816/367829
- 岩手日報 Iwate Nippo http://www.iwate-np.co.jp/newspack/cgi-bin/newspack_s.cgi?s_lifestyle_l+CN2010081601000165_1
- 静岡新聞 Shizuoka Shimbun http://www.shizushin.com/news/culture/topix/2010081601000165
- 大阪日々新聞 Osaka Nichinichi Shimbun https://www.nnn.co.jp/dainichi/knews/100816/20100816024.html
- 中国新聞 Chugoku Shimbun http://www.chugoku-np.co.jp/News/Sp201008160110.html
- 佐賀新聞 Saga Shimbun http://www.saga-s.co.jp/news/global/corenews.0.1706307.article.html
- 熊本日報 Kumamoto Nippo http://kumanichi.com/news/kyodo/life/201008/20100816004.shtml
A few more links to the article that ran in major Japanese publications online:
- http://sankei.jp.msn.com/world/america/100816/amr1008161052004-n1.htm
- http://www.47news.jp/CN/201008/CN2010081601000165.html
- http://www.nikkei.com/news/latest/article/g=96958A9C9381959FE3E4E2E3E38DE3E4
- http://www.kyoto-np.co.jp/country/article/20100816000030
- http://www.nagasaki-np.co.jp/f24/CN20100816/li2010081601000165.shtml
- http://www.chunichi.co.jp/s/article/2010081601000165.html
- http://www.tokyo-np.co.jp/s/article/2010081601000165.html
Also, below is a scan of an article in the Tokyo Shimbun that was written by one of their reporters who actually attended the Conference and has quotes from some of the JETAA chapter representatives with whom he spoke:
WIT Life #116: Japanese Shifts in Sumo and Economic Status
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WITLife is a periodic series written by professional Writer/Interpreter/Translator Stacy Smith (Kumamoto-ken CIR, 2000-03). She starts her day by watching Fujisankei’s newscast in Japanese, and here she shares some of the interesting tidbits and trends together with her own observations.
Two interesting Japan articles in today’s Wall Street Journal. The first on the cover page talks about the sumo club at Tokyo University, and how those previously not associated with the sport, such as smaller size wrestlers and foreigners, are now making a splash. The second in the opinion section discusses the recent news that China has replaced Japan as the world’s second largest economy (and is set to surpass America in the near future). Happy reading!
According to a letter published in the Japan Times by a Nara-based Japanese teacher of English, high schools will be required to teach English class in English. And she doesn’t think the schools will be ready.
Here’s an excerpt:
Beginning in 2013, high school English classes are to be taught in English. New guidelines from the education ministry also state that English grammar should no longer be taught as a whole subject but instead incorporated with expressions and vocabulary of the new textbook “English Communication I-III.”
Here’s the link to the full letter: http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/rc20100812a6.html
JET ROI: “Because of JET……”
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JETAA NY Webmaster and tech/social media guru Lee-Sean Huang (Oita-ken, 2003-06) got the ball rolling with a video series called “Because of JET…..“ in which he uploaded short video clips of JET alumni sharing some good things that they experienced and witnessed as a result of participating in JET. The first few videos were taken at the JETAA National Conference this past weekend in New York.
Here’s the link to see all the videos so far: http://becauseofjet.tumblr.com/
- Send your own video testimonial to webmaster@jetaany.org to have it included and let people know about some of the positive effects of JET that they might not otherwise be aware of.
- If you can say your piece in Japanese that would be particularly helpful, according to Matt Gillam of CLAIR NY.
- Additionally, you can post your own “Because of JET…” testimony in written form by posting in the comments section here or in this other post on JetWit: http://jetwit.com/wordpress/2010/07/04/jet-roi-because-of-jet/
- Written testimony in Japanese is also potentially very helpful.
Here’s one of the videos:
