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The Akitan 2013: Issue #2 We have packed this summer edition full of information, pictures, articles that are sure to cool you down in this summer heat (probably not). Be sure to download it for offline viewing pleasure and leave us comments and feedback below. We are always looking for ways to improve The Akitan's content! Enjoy!
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CONFERENCE INFO
ARTICLES
PHOTOS
LESSONS
ALL THINGS SUMMER
Akita Orientation info ········································· 4
Akitaculture ························································· 6
Skill Development Conference info ····················· 7
ALTs in the news ·················································· 10
Summer is here ··················································· 18
Photo corner ······················································· 20
Akita-ben corner ················································· 26
Lesson corner ······················································ 27
In this issueIn this issue
A total of 45 new ALTs and
CIRs have arrived in Akita
this year. With a little more
than 100 ALTs and CIRs,
that is about half of our JET
population in the prefecture. So
welcome to all of the new arrivals!
The rainy season has finally come to
an end, and it is getting hot, hot, HOT!
Summer in Japan is a time of
festivals, beach going, rock concerts,
watermelon smashing, and much
more! Summer in Akita is
exceptionally short, so be sure to soak
up all those sunrays while you can.
Just remember to stay hydrated
because heat stroke might kill you
otherwise.
We have packed this summer issue
with information about the upcoming
Akita Orientation, articles about ALTs
in the news, tips for surviving the
summer heat, and much more!
Many new adventures await us, so
start this new JET year by enjoying a
healthy dose of The Akitan! Enjoy!
Your PAs : )
PA Info
Randy Umetsu
080-4576-1812
Josh Drewry 090-2987-1984
Stephanie Hupp
090-7565-5049
Taylor Fustin 080-3322-3820
AJET Peer Support Group
Everyday 8 p.m.–7 a.m.
Toll free: 050-5534-5566
For new arrivals!
Click here for more details!
So what can I learn that I didn’t
already get at Tokyo Orientation?
Well, you are just going to have
to come and find out!
Prefectural Advisor Taylor
Fustin telling us what’s up. We
salute you Taylor!
akitaculture Greetings Akitans, old and new!
Here in Akita, we strive to provide outlets and resources for those within our com-
munity in all areas – lifestyle, professional, creative, etc. To meet our creative and
cultural needs, we have created akitaculture, a blog devoted to the cultural fea-
tures of our area and the creative output of those who live here. For a year now,
this blog has played host to the reviews, musings, poetry, knowledge, and reflec-
tions of those in Akita about our lovely prefecture and about our experiences liv-
ing in it.
We encourage you to check out the blog (https://akitaculture.wordpress.com) and
read about the different and often surprising things Akita has to offer. We want to
the blog to reflect the unique offerings of Akita as well as the creativity of its Eng-
lish-speaking community – written, visual, or audial!
After you check it out, please contribute! We are always looking for interesting
pieces featuring a favorite restaurant in your area, book reviews, interviews with
locals, cultural reflections, festival information, photography – anything you have
to offer. If it is cultural and creative, akitaculture wants to give it an audience!
Please lend us your perspectives and your talent, and contribute to the blog! Send
all submissions, questions, or suggestions to [email protected].
More information can be found on the blog site.
Also, keep an eye out for an upcoming photography contest theme!
Looking forward to hearing from you!
Your Akitaculture Editorial Staff
PS – If editing and/or web design interests you, please contact us! We are also
looking for people to work behind the scenes to improve the pieces and website
and to make akitaculture the best it can be.
Click here to view the website
Skill Development
Conference 2013
The 2013 Akita Skill
Development Conference
(SDC) will be held at the
Prefectural Education
Center in Tenno on October
28 and 29. We are in need
of presenters!
Call for SDC Presenters!
Our once a year prefectural wide Skills Development Conference (SDC) will be here soon! As you all know, the success of this conference largely depends on all of us as ALTs, as we are the main presenters. Let’s do our best to make it a great conference!
The Education Center is now looking for ALTs willing to present or submit classroom videos of a lesson. They will be used during the critique/discussion session during the conference.
Below you will find a general schedule for the 2013 SDC. If you are interested in doing one of these presentations or have an idea for a different presentation, please contact Taylor Fustin at [email protected]. If you want to see all of the excitement of last year’s SDC, click here.
Thank you! We look forward to hearing from you soon!
Open Presentation Spots
Video presentations (8 in total - 6 JHS and 2 HS) Listening and speaking activities Technology Senior High School Activities Reading and writing activities
*Your own creative idea for a workshop!
On June 22, the 9th Annual Akita Inter-
national Sumo Tournament was held at
Akita City’s Prefectural Budokan. Twen-
ty ALTs, both men and women, fought
vigorously while donning mawashi
(sumo belts). The event was hosted by
the Akita Association of JETs (AAJ).
The participants wrestled under self-
proclaimed shikona (wrestling names),
such as “The Bullfighter,” “SumOwen,”
and “A Thousand Years.”
Mounting the dohyo (ring) and receiving
chikara-mizu (power water) from other
wrestlers, the participants prepared for
their bouts as in real sumo matches.
With many fierce bouts, some even end-
ed with wrestlers tumbling off the ring.
After a vigorous match, opponents
praised each other’s efforts and some-
times even shook hands. The crowd en-
couraged them with cheers and applause.
“I have great interest in sumo, which is a
part of traditional Japanese culture. It
felt really good to give my all in my
matches,” commented Kenny Grant with
a smile. Kenny, originally from the Unit-
ed Kingdom, currently lives in Oga and
is an executive member of the AAJ.
This tournament was started in 2004
with the goal of promoting cultural ex-
change. AAJ has held this tournament
every year with the exception of 2011,
the year of the Great East Japan Earth-
quake.
June 23, 2013
Translated by Randy Umetsu
ALTs going all out Twenty men and women don mawashi
ALTs in the
news!
Click to view Facebook page
Certificates of
appreciation to four high
school ALTs
On July 9, the Prefectural Board of
Education (PBOE) presented the ALTs who
would be completing their terms as high
school ALTs with certificates of
appreciation. The four ALTs come from
countries including the United Kingdom and
Australia. Coming to Japan on the JET
Programme, they taught English at their
region’s high school. Two will be returning
to their home countries and the other two
are set to become English instructors within
Akita Prefecture.
At the ceremony held at the Prefectural
Office Second Building, BOE
Superintendent, Susumu Yoneda, presented
each with a certificate. “Both the English
skills and communications skills of our high
school students have increased due to your
instruction. We are thankful that you have
left the students with such precious
memories,” said the superintendent.
“We are thankful to have been able to work
in such a beautiful prefecture,” said Jeremia
Grobler, teacher at Noshiro SHS since 2008,
on behalf of the four.
July 10, 2013
Translated by Randy Umetsu
ALTs in the news!
Update your directory information!
Especially your schools!
Keeping the Akita JET directory up to date is an on-going process with so many
JETs coming and going. There have been many changes in schools this year, so
please send Randy Umetsu ([email protected]) the names of your new
schools by Aug. 31 so they can be updated in the directory. If any of your other
info is new too, be sure to send that as well! Thank you!
Email Randy by Aug. 31!!!
Super English Camp, hosted by the Prefec-
tural Board of Education (PBOE) in order
to boost the communication skills of JHS
and SHS students, was held at Akita City’s
youth exchange center Youth Pal for four
days and three nights ending on July 26.
On July 25, the 52 participants wrote short
essays on the theme of environmental is-
sues and gave speeches. The students wrote
on an A4 sized sheet of paper their views
and thoughts concerning environmental
problems and the importance of making ef-
forts towards improvement.
Teachers at the camp, including the PBOE
Senior High School Division’s staff and
ALTs, edited the essays and provided ad-
vice saying things like “The grammar is
correct, but let’s make this into an easier to
understand expression” and “I think you
should clearly express your opinion.”
“In addition to utilizing natural energy
sources such as fire power and wind power,
we each need to make efforts to conserve
energy,” read aloud first-year student Ry-
ohei Narita (12) from the Akita University
Affiliated JHS.
“I want to become a doctor, so I am study-
ing English. This camp, at which I can thor-
oughly think about how to express myself,
is a lot of fun,” said Narita.
Super English Camp, compared to the regu-
lar English camps at which students im-
prove their English skills through games,
includes content of a higher level, such as
discussions and speeches. Twelve JHS stu-
dents and 40 SHS students with English
Proficiency Exam (Eiken) pre grade 2 and
above participated in this camp.
July 26, 2013
Translated by Randy Umetsu
JHS and SHS students think and express
themselves in English
Summer is HERE!
A bout six months ago, we spent Akita’s cold winter days hid-
den away in our kerosene-heated apartments to escape the harsh
winter. Again we retreat to the refuge of our apartment, but only
this time for the air conditioner. Yes, summer is upon us. While
Akita cannot claim to even come near Australia’s record- breaking
temperatures of some 50 degrees during the summer of 2012, the
combination of heat and humidity will definitely be enough of an
excuse to spend extra time in the grocery store to enjoy all the
free air con. But summer isn’t bad at all; you just have to know
how to enjoy it. Here are just a couple of things to make your
summer a little cooler.
By Randy Umetsu
Akita Craft Beer
Akita, while famous for its sake, also boasts several craft breweries such as Tazawako Beer and Aqula. Several beers from each brewery have even made their way to the international stage and have walked away with awards. Akita’s craft brews are a sure-fire way to cool your summer down. So find your nearest beer garden and go suck down some of that liquid bread!
Baba-hera Ice
Baba-hera, literally meaning “Old lady’s spatula,” is an Akita specialty you will see pop up all over the prefecture as soon as the weather gets warm. These troopers brave the hot summer heat to deliver us this creamy, rose-shaped sherbet.
Akita’s Beaches
When all else fails, grab your swimsuit and head down to the beach! Shimohama, Katsurahama, Iwaki, Oga, etc. are all great places to get your swim on! Beaches in Japan usually come with beach huts that sell food, drinks, and all sorts of fun water toys. Be on the lookout for beach parties too!
キャプションAll photos on this page by Jordan Oxborough http://oxborough.co.nz/tohoku/
Photo corner
Mitane Sand-craft Festival, July 2013
Ph
oto
s b
y Je
nn
ifer
Ro
gals
ki
and
Jon
Stim
mer
Mitane Sand-craft Festival, July 2013
AkitaAkita--ben Cornerben Corner
What is Akita-ben? Akita-ben, literally translating to “Akita dialect,” is a sub-dialect of the Tohoku dialect umbrella (often called Zuzu-ben).
For most of us, learning Japanese is hard enough as it is. Throw Akita-ben into the mix and we have a nearly unintelligible language. (It is often accompanied by subtitles in national broadcasts). But not to fear! Give these Akita-ben phrases a try and you will be conversing with the local obaachan and ojiichan in no time (WARNING: Not for use in formal situations)!
In every new issue of The Akitan, we will be featuring a new Akita-ben word or phrase.
Most Japanese people will tell you that no Japanese word starts
with the consonant “n.” However, most Japanese people don’t speak
Akita-ben either. んだ (nda) and its slightly politer brother んだす
(ndasu) are the staple of every conversation in Akita-ben. They are ex-
pressions of affirmation and are used like how そうだ (sou da) and そう
です (sou desu) are used in standard Japanese.
Example:
そうですね (sou desu ne)
↓
んだすな～(ndasuna)
Translation: Yes, that is so.
んだ
With Pat Costello, a.k.a Akita-ben Mastah
AkitaAkita--ben Cornerben Corner
1. Divide students into groups of 4. Have them put their desks together.
2. Give each group the blank slips of paper, one for each member.
3. Tell students to write one noun on their paper. Explain what a noun is in Japanese
(I let them use their dictionaries to look it up), that it is a Person, Place, or Thing,
and that any noun is okay but needs to written in English. Tell them it is a secret
and not to show their group members.
4. While they are writing, give each group one pile of cards (the 10 sample cards,
other cards with nouns, cards collected from previous classes, or some combina-
tion of these).
5. When everyone finishes, have students put their cards into their pile, shuffle it,
and then each take one card from the pile. Tell students not show their cards to
their group members.
6. Explain how to play.
A. Say the group members will ask students questions.
B. Write the phrase “Yes or No questions” on the board.
C. Explain that each student will ask one question, going around the group,
until someone guesses what it is on each card. Say these questions can on-
ly be yes or no questions and provide/write some yes or no question sam-
ple formats on the board for students to follow (ie, “Is it (a)_____?” or “Do
we _________ it?”)
7. Have students begin playing. Tell them to continue until they have used all the
cards in their pile. Each time a class does this activity, I add their cards to the
piles, so now there are enough cards that students can play for about 30 minutes
without finishing or losing interest. It can last as long as you want depending on
how many cards you give students.
20 Questions Game (25-35 minutes)
Download worksheet
Lesson Corner
A re you interested in
learning more about
language teaching?
Would you like to connect with
other language teachers around
Akita or maybe Japan? If so, then
you may be interested in The
Japan Association for Language
Teaching (JALT).
JALT is a non-profit organization
dedicated to the improvement of
language teaching and learning
both within Japan and
internationally. The Akita JALT
chapter meets monthly and
invites you to check out the
workshops. You will find a
schedule for workshops for the
year on their website.
There is a charge of 500 yen for
all non-members (It used to be
1,000 yen, but they lowered it for
us!) JALT members and students
are free. Scheduled meetings are
at JOIN US in Akita City.
NOTE: The Akita JALT community
would love to learn more about the
JET Programme in Akita and team
teaching. If you are interested in
presenting something, please contact
Wayne Malcom:
Akita JALT
We hope that you found this newsletter useful. If you have
any suggestions to make The Akitan better, please do not
hesitate to contact us.
Lastly, submissions from you will make this work-related
newsletter all the more interesting. So, if you have lesson
activities, work-related essays, job postings, news articles,
photos, etc., please submit them to one of the PAs. As always,
thanks for reading!
Life After the BOE by David Namisato
We are looking for great photos and
articles by you! Please send anything you
would like to contribute to one of the PAs
and help make The Akitan even better!
Created by your PAs
Design and layout : Randy Umetsu
Contributors:
Jessie Fast
Jon Stimmer
Jordon Oxborough
Kenny Grant
Pat Costello
Jennifer Rogalski
You can download and
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by clicking on the
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