(Blog writing)

Hi everyone,　皆さん、こんにちは。

My Japanese classes and lessons included the usual kinds of activities that aim to develop speaking, reading, listening, writing, constructing and performing dialoguesor speech apart from cultural, society-orientated about Japan.

In terms of script learning, I requested a couple of Beginners 1 classes to make Hiragana-based flash cards. The cards could be each letter based or word based and they could have pictures too, depending on the students’ preferences. Most of the students of one of the classes made flash cards with great creativity, diligence, neatness and beauty on top of linguistic value. That was very appreciated and delightful.

As for singing Japanese songs for language and culture learning and making one’s tongue and mouth getting ready for Japanese (foreign) language learning, I introduced a few new songs in addition to the children’s songs that I had taught in the past this year.

The new songs are (late) Kyuu(or Kyu) Sakamoto’s “Ue –o MuiteArukoo”. Its English translation is “Sukiyaki” that does not have any relation in meaning, according to a website, http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xj3zg_kyu-sakamoto-sukiyaki_music. The website has Romaji translation of the famous song, which is internationally very well known, having become a Number 1 music hit on the charts in America many years ago. In Australia too, I occasionally heard it on the major radio station (3MP?, which is the music station) in Melbourne. The website has English translation too.

Also I taught  aboveKyuu Sakamoto’s other song with CD (one from Japan Foundation), “Tomodachi” (“Friends”) with my English translation and word-processed Japanese script version. Kyuu Sakamoto was extremely popular when he was alive and active in singing and performing in entertainment. Sadly, he died due to an aircraft clash in 1985. Above both songs are very compassion and warmth promoting/creating ones for any anyone and esp. for those who are lonely or hurt/sad. The latter one is also very positive, broad visions creating, and enriching humanities.

There are “many” of such songs among Japanese popular songs that always touch and help people’s life, emotions, relationships, positive attitudes, sensitivity toward small ones or fragile ones (including creatures other than humans), and communal attitude and value in Japan.

Pertaining to technology, international relations concerned, I informed my classes about the article, “Japan ties ‘key to growth’” by Rick Wallace, The Australian (8.10.12, pp. 19-20). A very good article to read.Also, with that newspaper’s magazine, “Motor Show”, I talked about Japanese car manufactures’ active participations to the Motor Show at Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre last month (19-28 October). Out of about 24 car makers there, 8 are Japanese companies. Very exciting news.

In the recent Jenta magazine, it says that over 270,000 people climbed Mt Fuji during July and August this year. That was 30,000 more people than last year’s same period.

That is delightful news too.

 

Japanese Teacher, Toshiko Jackson

2.11.12