Tag Archive for: Japanese language

A Hybrid Japanese Typewriter project among finalists of the 2023 BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition

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A Hybrid Japanese Typewriter project developed by Stratford College 3rd year student Joseph Mudrak was among finalists of the 2023 BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition.

 

 

Joseph (14) has always loved to discover new and challenging things to learn. He learned to read when he was two years old, and by the time he was ten, he was teaching himself Chinese characters. He loves learning new languages and currently speaks Polish, English, and Irish, and is learning Japanese, French, and German. Joseph is also a pianist and has won a few competitions in Ireland. He is currently doing RIAM Grade 7 at the age of 14.

His passion has always been languages, different cultures of the world, music and programming. Joseph is also very interested in Japanese culture and language, and it is his dream to visit Japan one day.

After starting to learn Japanese at home by himself, he realised that Japanese is a very complex language, with thousands of different characters, which led Joseph to wondered how a hypothetical typewriter would work with such a writing system. After finding out about what currently exists and is available, he decided to make an electric version that fits all the characters used in Japanese onto a standard QWERTY keyboard. There are still industries where typewriters are in use, and this project is a robust and easy-to-use solution.

 

 

There were more than 1700 projects submitted for the competition of the 2023 BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition. The judges chose 550 for the final exhibition at RDS, Dublin, and Joseph’s project ‘エレキタイプ – A Hybrid Japanese Typewriter’ was among the finalists.

 

‘I very much enjoyed talking to you about your project on a Hybrid Japanese Typewriter. I had no idea how difficult  it is to type Japanese and I was surprised by the complexity of the problem. You presented your project with clarity and confidence. Well done!’ – Dr. Peter Taylor, Judge at the BTYSTE 2023

 

Micheál Martin, Tánaiste, Eamon Ryan, Minister for the Environment, Climate, Communications and Transport, and Ivana Bacik, Leader of the Labour Party visited exhibition at RDS, Dublin and showed interest in Joseph’s project.

 

Joseph also had a wonderful opportunity to meet with Ms. Keiko Nakata, Embassy of Japan in Ireland, who was delighted to learn about his invention and received a gift book about Joseph’s project.

The BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition is much more than a competition – it is the experience of a lifetime for the students and teachers who take part. Designed to raise schools’ engagement in the critical subjects of science, technology, engineering, and maths (STEM), the Exhibition calls upon students aged 12-19 years from all over the island of Ireland to showcase innovative science and technology project.
Photos and videos: Agata Mudrak personal archive

Japanese Language and Culture Course | For Beginners

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Improve your Japanese language skills and learn useful and interesting culture, travel and business tips at the IJA 4-week Japanese language and culture course for beginners!

Starting date: Monday, 20th February 2023
* 1st class – Monday, 20th February
* 2nd class – Monday , 27th February
* 3rd class – Monday, 6th March
* 4th class – Monday, 13th March

Time: 6.30 PM – 8 PM (each class – 90min)
Venue:  Dillon Eustace, 33 Sir John Rogerson’s Quay, Dublin 2

Cost:
€80 – IJA Members
€120 – Non-members
Spaces are limited and early booking is advised.
Advised age group: 18+

Bookings:
To book your place, please RSVP by Monday, 13th February 2023 by email: info@ija.ie, or call: 01-6787008.
Please note that cancellations should be made by Wednesday, 15th February. After this date refunds will not be available.

Who this course is designed for?
* Anyone with no or very little Japanese language experience.
* Anyone who is thinking of visiting Japan as a tourist or on business.
* Anyone who has been to Japan in the past and would like to know more about the country.
* Anyone who would like a little ‘taste’ of Japanese before studying in college or doing Japanese language studies.

This course will focus on:
* Essential Japanese language skills
* Cultural insights
* Travel tips
* Business tips

All materials and handouts will be provided and are included in the price.
Class size is kept relatively small and participants will have the opportunity to interact with the teacher and fellow students.

This course is organized in cooperation with:

Experience Japan festival returns to Phoenix Park on 10th April

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Long awaited and good news from our friends at Experience Japan – it has been confirmed that Experience Japan festival will be returning to the wonderful Farmleigh house and estate this spring.
The festival takes its name from ‘Hanami’: the traditional Japanese custom of viewing flowers, especially cherry blossoms, to mark the arrival of Spring. Each year Experience Japan brings families and friends together in the beautiful setting of Farmleigh in the Phoenix Park, to enjoy music and dance performances, martial arts demonstrations, seminars, and a variety of traditional arts and crafts, and to discover Japanese culture, including lots of delicious Japanese food. Many festival-goers dress for the occasion: in traditional styles, following Japanese fashion subcultures, or in cosplay.
Festival organisers will look forward to welcoming you at this year’s Hanami Festival on Sunday, 10th April.
Festival team also is looking for volunteers who could help at the festival. Volunteers are invited to complete the application form to register as a volunteer for the 2022 festival. Any questions can be emailed to volunteers.experiencejapan@gmail.com
For more information and letest updates, please check Experience Japan website:

JLTI Language Contest 2022 | Applications Open

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IMPORTANT: Application deadline has been extended until Monday, 14th March 2022!
The Japanese Language Contest 2022 is open for entries.
This year’s theme is ‘Time for Fun’, contest will take place online, and you can send entries in the form of speech or Japanese language soundtrack videos which demonstrate a fun outlook.
The entries will be evaluated on a variety of criteria such as language level and expression, creativity and performance, and the prizes will reward a range of different styles, abilities and effort. The judging panel will take into account the language background and learning experience of the entrants which will be documented through their application forms.
Applications are accepted in 2 categories:
  • Secondary School Category A & B (A: TY＆ 5th year, B: 6th year) – individuals
    • Video clip of a self-introduction speech
    • One individual speaker should be clearly shown making their speech on screen.
    • No use of special props or items, other speaker or background noise or music etc is permitted.
    • Duration is 1 – 5 minutes
  • Open Category – individuals or groups
    • It can be individual or group production
    • Open format; (i.e.) speech, conversation, skit, drama, song, poetry, show & tell, presentation or animation
    • There must be a soundtrack in Japanese voiced by the entrant(s)
    • If entrants are not shown speaking on screen, then a separate short video must be provided with the application form which clearly shows the entrant(s) giving their names and speaking the lines. This video will not be evaluated for judging purposes.
    • Duration is 2 – 7 minutes

CRITERIA FOR PARTICIPATION

  • Participants must not be Japanese native speakers
  • Participants must be residents of Ireland.
  • Secondary School Category: This category is open to individual entrants of Secondary School age only.
  • Open Category: Participants cannot have lived in Japan for longer than 5 years in total. This category is open to entrants of all ages.
  • Neither participants themselves nor their immediate family members may be members of the JLTI.
  • Only one entry per category per person, regardless of whether individual or part of a group.
  • Participants should submit the application form including their YouTube video link and consent form(s) by the deadline.
  • A signed consent form must be provided for each member of any team entries for the Open Category.
  • For individual entries, the file names for the YouTube Videos and Consent Form should include the name of the entrant. The group name should be included in the file names for group entry videos and group member consent forms.
  • Applications will be accepted until March 7th.

APPLICATION DEADLINE IS MONDAY, 7 MARCH 2022.

Results will be announced by the end of March.

The winners will be added to our website and winning entries will be showcased on social media.

For information, application forms and guidelines, please visit JLTI website: https://jlti.org/jp/speech/
***

Contest is hosted by Japanese Language Teachers of Ireland (JLTI) and The Embassy of Japan in Ireland. Supported by the Japan Foundation. Sponsor: PPLI.

Japanese language and culture course for beginners

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[THIS COURSE IS FULLY BOOKED NOW!]

Are you interested in Japan and Japanese culture? Would you like to improve your Japanese language skills?

We are delighted to invite you to our 4-week Japanese language and culture course for beginners which will provide you with essential language knowledge, cultural insights and useful tips that will allow you to learn more about this fascinating country.

Starting date: Monday, 7th March 2022

* 1st class – Monday, 7th March
* 2nd class – Monday , 14th March
* 3rd class – Monday, 21st March
* 4th class – Monday, 28th March

Time: 6.30 PM – 8 PM (each class – 90min)
Venue:  Dillon Eustace, 33 Sir John Rogerson’s Quay, Dublin 2


Cost:
€80 – IJA Members
€120 – Non-members
Spaces are limited and early booking is advised.
Who this course is designed for?
* Anyone with no or very little Japanese language experience.
* Anyone who is thinking of visiting Japan as a tourist or on business.
* Anyone who has been to Japan in the past and would like to know more about the country.
* Anyone who would like to know Japanese manners and etiquette, and how to welcome guests from Japan.
* Anyone who would like a little ‘taste’ of Japanese before studying in college or doing Japanese language studies.
This course will focus on:
* Japanese greetings and gestures
* Japanese writing system and pronunciation
* Terms of respect
* Numbers
* Japanese food and how to order at a restaurant
* Japanese religions and renowned religious sites
* Self-introduction in Japanese
* Ask and answer questions about your name and country

All materials and handouts will be provided and are included in the price.
Class size is kept relatively small and participants will have the opportunity to interact with the teacher and fellow students.

Covid-19 health and safety measures:
We will work closely with our hosts at Dillon Eustace to provide safe environment for everyone during the course, and would like to ask that all course participants comply with the internal Covid-19 safety rules of the venue:

* On a weekly basis, complete visitor Covid-19 Form and return it to the venue by email not later than the day before arriving (in this case, the Friday before).
* The wearing of a suitable face covering when entering or leaving the building is required.
* The wearing of a face covering whilst in the meeting room is at the discretion of the course teacher.
* Hand sanitizers will be available in the meeting room for use.

Bookings:
To book your place, please RSVP by Monday, 28th February 2022 by email: info@ija.ie, or call: 01-6787008.
Please note that cancellations should be made at least 48h in advance.

This course is organized in cooperation with:

The JLTI Japanese Language Contest is open for entries!

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In order to encourage and promote Japanese language education in Ireland, JLTI and the Embassy of Japan in Ireland jointly have hosted an annual Japanese speech contest. This year, the Japanese Speech Contest is back as the Japanese Language Contest.

The theme is ‘optimism’ and JLTI is inviting entries in the form of speech or Japanese language soundtrack videos which demonstrate an optimistic outlook.

The Japanese Language Contest takes place online.

The entries will be evaluated on a variety of criteria such as language level and expression, creativity and performance, and the prizes will reward a range of different styles, abilities and effort. The judging panel will take into account the language background and learning experience of the entrants which will be documented through their application forms.

Enquiry: Twitter account @JLTIcontest OR jltispeechcontest2021@gmail.com

Guidelines for Video Production and Uploading Video to YouTube

  • Video production must be original work. In the open category, if you use music and/or pictures, they also must be original or copy-right free materials.
  • The entry should be your own work (or the work of the members of your group). Only limited help or input from a teacher or native speaker or other is permitted.
  • Participants should submit a YouTube video link. See the following instructions on how to upload your video on YouTube: https://youtu.be/VtF2AgFSLAw
  • The setting of your video privacy should be “unlisted”
  • Please title the video with your name (or your group name for a group entry)

Secondary School Category

  • Video clip of a self-introduction speech
  • One individual speaker should be clearly shown making their speech on screen.
  • No use of special props or items, other speaker or background noise or music etc is permitted.
  • Duration is 1 – 5 minutes

Open Category

  • It can be individual or group production
  • Open format; (i.e.) speech, conversation, skit, drama, song, poetry, show & tell, presentation or animation
  • There must be a soundtrack in Japanese voiced by the entrant(s)
  • If entrants are not shown speaking on screen, then a separate short video must be provided with the application form which clearly shows the entrant(s) giving their names and speaking the lines. This video will not be evaluated for judging purposes.
  • Duration is 2 – 7 minutes

Criteria for Participation:

  • Participants must not be Japanese native speakers
  • Participants must be residents of Ireland.
  • Secondary School Category: This category is open to individual entrants of Secondary School age only.
  • Open Category: Participants cannot have lived in Japan for longer than 5 years in total. This category is open to entrants of all ages.
  • Neither participants themselves nor their immediate family members may be members of the JLTI.
  • Only one entry per category per person, regardless of whether individual or part of a group.
  • Participants should submit the application form including their YouTube video link and consent form(s) by the deadline.
  • A signed consent form must be provided for each member of any team entries for the Open Category.
  • For individual entries, the file names for the YouTube Videos and Consent Form should include the name of the entrant. The group name should be included in the file names for group entry videos and group member consent forms.
  • Applications will be accepted until February 28th.

Online Application and Consent Forms can be found here: https://jlti.org/speech/

Application Deadline: Sunday, 28th February 2021

Results will be announced by the end of March. The winners will be added to our website and winning entries will be showcased on social media.

Hosted by Japanese Language Teachers of Ireland (JLTI) and The Embassy of Japan. Supported by the Japan Foundation.

Career opportunities in Japan | Online Webinar

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*LIVE FROM DUBLIN & LONDON*

We are delighted to support UCD Japan Fair 2020 this year and together with UCD Japan and UCD Centre for Japanese Studies would like to invite you to an online webinar ‘Career opportunities in Japan’.

This session will look at career options for new graduates and, in addition, research opportunities for postgraduate and academic staff.

Date: Friday, 6th November 2020
Time: 1-2 PM
Registration is required: https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/career-opportunities-in-japan-tickets-125541705621?aff=erelpanelorg

 

 

What is the JET Programme?

The Japan Exchange and Teaching Programme (外国語青年招致事業, Gaikokugo Seinen Shōchi Jigyō), or JET Programme, is a Japanese government initiative that brings college (university) graduates – mostly native speakers of English – to Japan as Assistant Language Teachers (ALTs) and Sports Education Advisors (SEAs) in Japanese kindergartens, elementary, junior high and high schools, or as Coordinators for International Relations (CIRs) in local governments and boards of education. JET Programme participants are collectively called JETs. Ireland became a participating country in the JET Programme in 1987. Since then over 1,200 Irish people have contributed to and enjoyed the programme, including the 43 Irish JETs who departed for Japan in 2019. Irish JETs act as ambassadors for Ireland, introducing all aspects of Irish culture to the Japanese people.

Who is the JSPS, and what does it do?

The Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) also known as Gakushin, is an independent administrative institution. It provides various fellowships for researchers to conduct, under the guidance of their Japanese hosts, cooperative research with leading research groups in universities and other Japanese institutions. As Japan’s premier research funding agency, JSPS carries out a diverse program that includes funding scientific research, fostering young researchers, promoting international scientific exchange, and supporting the reform and globalization of universities. Its annual budget in 2011 fiscal year was ¥334.7 billion. The JSPS is equivalent to both Science Foundation Ireland and the Ireland Research Council for Japan, covering all disciplinary areas.

For more information and to register: https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/career-opportunities-in-japan-tickets-125541705621?aff=erelpanelorg

IJA Japanese Conversation Group

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Join our weekly FREE Japanese conversation group meetings and improve your Japanese conversational skills in an informal, friendly atmosphere!

Meetings take place every Wednesday from 9-10 p.m. via Zoom.

To join the group, please sign up by sending email to: info@ija.ie.

Basic Japanese language skills are required. Each week participants will discuss a topic named in advance, and, from time to time, native Japanese speakers will be joining the group to help with the advice.

Please note that this conversation group is a fun activity for people who enjoy speaking Japanese, and not a language course/class.

This group is open to the IJA members only.

Please contact us for more information: info@ija.ie

***

Please take a look at the meeting schedule for the coming weeks:
* There will be no online meetings on 7th December and 14th December
* Saturday, 17th December at 12 PM  – Online Bounenkai Celebrations
* Wednesday, 11th January 2023 at 9 PM – Our first Online Zoom Meeting after Christmas break

The 18th JLTI Japanese Speech Contest

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JLTI Speech Contest Committee has kindly invited you to attend the 18th JLTI Japanese Speech Contest on Saturday, 7th March at the UCD, Dublin.

Date: Saturday, 7th March 2020
Time: 1 – 5.30 p.m.
Venue: William Fry Theatre, Sutherland School of Law, UCD, Dublin

Please see event timetable and map HERE!

Categories:
*General (Participants have lived in Japan for no longer than 5 years in total.)
*Secondary School students – LC2 (Leaving Certificate Student)
*Secondary School students – TY/LC1 (Transition Year & 5th Year Students)

Theme:
*General Category: Their own choice
*TY/LC1 Category: Self Introduction
*LC2 Category:  “If I Went To Japan”, “My Best Day Ever”,  “My Best Friend”

The JLTI is marking its 19th year since its foundation, and its 18th Speech Contest is taking place this year. There has been a steady increase in the number of entries every year, and the contest is becoming more popular and is drawing more interest. The contest now has three categories, two post-primary student categories and one general category.

Since the Speech Contest is always attended by the friends and families of the secondary school participants, it has grown to provide a friendly forum for those interested in the Japanese language and in Japan in general. The marked increase in the level of the speeches over the years is a huge incentive and encouragement to the teachers working with the participants.

Japanese language teaching/learning in Ireland is slowly but surely gaining popularity. The number of students opting to take Japanese as a Leaving Certificate examination subject is increasing with approximately 300 students sitting the exam last year. In addition, University College Cork launched its Institute of Japanese Studies in September 2011, Dublin City University and University of Limerick have Japanese courses, and University College Dublin and Trinity College have Japanese modules, thus creating a solid base for Japanese Studies to develop among students in Ireland.

Find out more about the JLTI here!

Follow JLTI on Facebook!

IJA Survival Japanese Language Course

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**COVID-19 ANNOUNCEMENT** [updated on 16.03.2020] – Due to the COVID-19 outbreak and current situation in the country, and after careful consideration and consulting all involved parties, the IJA would like to inform that decision has been made to cancel the IJA Survival Japanese Course. We are very sorry and apologize for any inconvenience that this decision might have caused. Everybody, who already signed up for this course, will be contacted directly.

We will be rescheduling the course to a later date once it will be safe to do so. Please follow announcements on our website and social media. 

Are you planning a trip to Japan this summer? Would you like to improve your Japanese language skills? Then why not sign up for our Survival Japanese Language Course which will provide you with essential language knowledge and useful tips that will allow you to enjoy your visit to Japan even more!

Date: starting on Thursday, 26th March 2020
* 1st class – 26th March
* 2nd class – 2nd April
* 3rd class – 9th April
* 4th class – 16th April
Time: 6.30pm – 8pm (1.5h)
Venue:  Dillon Eustace, 33 Sir John Rogerson’s Quay, Dublin 2

Cost:
€80 – IJA Members
€120 – Non-members
Spaces are limited and early booking is advised.

The Survival Japanese Language Course will focus on practical conversations and will cover these situations:
* How to introduce yourself to a Japanese person
* How to order at a restaurant and at a bar
* How to ask for directions
* How to express your interests, preferences, gratitude, etc.

Participants with very little or no previous knowledge of Japanese are welcome.

All materials and handouts will be provided and are included in the price. Class size is kept relatively small and participants will have the opportunity to interact a lot with the teacher and fellow students.

To book your place, please RSVP by Monday, 16th March 2020 by email: info@ija.ie, or call: 01-6787008.
Please note that cancellations should be made at least 48 hours in advance.

This course is organized in cooperation with:

Tag Archive for: Japanese language

IJA Japanese Conversation Group

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Join our weekly FREE Japanese conversation group meetings and improve your Japanese conversational skills in an informal, friendly atmosphere!

Meetings take place every Wednesday from 9-10 p.m. via Zoom.

To join the group, please sign up by sending email to: info@ija.ie.

Basic Japanese language skills are required. Each week participants will discuss a topic named in advance, and, from time to time, native Japanese speakers will be joining the group to help with the advice.

Please note that this conversation group is a fun activity for people who enjoy speaking Japanese, and not a language course/class.

This group is open to the IJA members only.

Please contact us for more information: info@ija.ie

***

Please take a look at the meeting schedule for the coming weeks:
* There will be no online meetings on 7th December and 14th December
* Saturday, 17th December at 12 PM  – Online Bounenkai Celebrations
* Wednesday, 11th January 2023 at 9 PM – Our first Online Zoom Meeting after Christmas break

Japanese Language and Culture Course | For Beginners

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Improve your Japanese language skills and learn useful and interesting culture, travel and business tips at the IJA 4-week Japanese language and culture course for beginners!

Starting date: Monday, 20th February 2023
* 1st class – Monday, 20th February
* 2nd class – Monday , 27th February
* 3rd class – Monday, 6th March
* 4th class – Monday, 13th March

Time: 6.30 PM – 8 PM (each class – 90min)
Venue:  Dillon Eustace, 33 Sir John Rogerson’s Quay, Dublin 2

Cost:
€80 – IJA Members
€120 – Non-members
Spaces are limited and early booking is advised.
Advised age group: 18+

Bookings:
To book your place, please RSVP by Monday, 13th February 2023 by email: info@ija.ie, or call: 01-6787008.
Please note that cancellations should be made by Wednesday, 15th February. After this date refunds will not be available.

Who this course is designed for?
* Anyone with no or very little Japanese language experience.
* Anyone who is thinking of visiting Japan as a tourist or on business.
* Anyone who has been to Japan in the past and would like to know more about the country.
* Anyone who would like a little ‘taste’ of Japanese before studying in college or doing Japanese language studies.

This course will focus on:
* Essential Japanese language skills
* Cultural insights
* Travel tips
* Business tips

All materials and handouts will be provided and are included in the price.
Class size is kept relatively small and participants will have the opportunity to interact with the teacher and fellow students.

This course is organized in cooperation with: