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Introduction

The Melbourne Centre for Japanese Language Education was established in 1996 (Grant received 1995) and is housed in the Japanese Studies Centre, Monash University in Melbourne, Australia.

The Centre provides a variety of activies and programs to teachers of Japanese in Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania. These activities and programs focus on developing teaching skills, creating teaching materials and encouraging the enhancement of professionalism among teachers. The Centre, which cooperates with the Departments of Education in three states, is now widely Known as 'the MCJLE'.

The MCJLE works cooperatively with teachers of Japanese to them well informed about the Centre's programs, and provides professional support and information which allows them to work effectively in the area of Japanese language eduction.

The Nippon Foundation Endowment

In March 1995 Monash University received a generous endowment of two million Australian dollars from the Nippon Foundation. It was agreed that the funds of the Endowment be allocated to support Japanese Language Education in the Australian states of Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania. The agreement between the Foundation and Monash University was the result of extended discussions between the University's Department of Japanese Studies and the Foundation, and then discussion within Monash University. The foundation had expressed an interest in assisting with the promotion of Japanese Language Education in Australia, and the Department responded with a proposal to establish a Centre which would engage in a wide range of activities to reinforce efforts that were already being made to promote the learning of Japanese at the primary, secondary and tertiary levels.

Mission Statement

The Melbourne Centre for Japanese Language Education is committed to improving the teaching of Japanese in Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania. Support is provided primarily by assisting Japanese language teachers who wish to upgrade their qualification, by promoting the development of curricula designed to meet the specific need of Australian students, and by enhancing the opportunities for networking and exchanging information among teachers of Japanese in the three states. Specific activities which promote those aims include the organization of in-service training programs, guest lectures and workshops, the establishment of study and travel scholarships for teachers of Japanese, the development of teaching materials, the establishment of study and travel scholarships for teachers of Japanese, the establishment of a resource centre, the conduct of research on the needs and aspirations of Japanese language teachers and of student of Japanese, and the publication of a newsletter.

Day-to-day Management of the Centre

In February 1996 the first Director of the Centre, Ms Anne de Kretser, was appointed. Programs of the MCJLE are organised and run by the Director.

The Director engages in a wide range of activities:

  • Design and organise all programs and activities
  • Liaises with other curriculum and language educations bodies in all three states to ensure the delivery of relevant programs
  • Provides support and advice to teachers of Japanese, school and the general public
  • Oversees the distributing of scholarship monies
  • Produces the quarterly newsletter
  • Conducts regular professional development seminars
  • Oversees the development of the MCJLE Resource Centre

The Director works with the Advisory Committee. This committee consist of ten members, representatives from state, catholic and independent schools in Victoria., the Japanese language Teachers Association of Victoria, the Department of Japanese Studies and the Faculty of Education at Monash University.

Major programs of the Melbourne Centre for Japanese Language Education

The MCJLE aims to support teachers of Japanese through a variety of programs which are specifically design to address new needs of Japanese language teachers in Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania.

Some of the major initiatives of the MCJLE follow.

MCJLE Resource Centre

Housed in the Mattheson Library at Monash University, the Resource Centre is accessible at weekends and late into the evening. It is regularly used by teachers and others interested in Japanese language education. The collection continues to grow in size and in coverage. It includes a wide range of materials focusing on teaching methodology, classroom activities, realia, in addition to materials focusing on teaching ideas and strategies both for curriculum development and for classroom use.

Study Scholarships

The MCJLE recognises the importance of teachers of Japanese returning to formal study to consolidate or to upgrade their knowledge and qualifications. To encourage the development of professionalism among teachers, the MCJLE provides scholarships for fully qualified teachers to return to study related to teaching of Japanese.

Travel scholarships

Another important function of the Centre is to provide opportunities for networking and the exchange of information among teachers in Australia's the three Southern states. Travel scholarships are regularly available to allow teachers to travel to other states to attend conferences specific to language and language teaching. Travel scholarships are advertised in the MCJLE quarterly newsletter.

Professional Development Seminars

Regular professional development seminars are offered to teachers. These seminars are designed and conducted to meet the needs of Japanese language teachers and reflect developments in Japanese language education. The seminars cover all sectors of teaching and vary from the informative to the practical, including teaching methodology, information technology, practical classroom activities, immersion and language maintenance courses and curricula development. Seminars are advertised in the Melbourne Centre for Japanese Language Education's quarterly newsletter and through mailouts to teachers. Every year, approximately 800 teachers receive professional development training through the activities and support of the Centre.

Newsletter

The MCJLE keeps teachers of Japanese informed through a quarterly which reports on the Centre's activities, gives details of scholarships and professional development training, prints teachers' letter and keeps readers in touch with the latest development in Japanese language education.

Research

The MCJLE has research funds available to allow the investigation of issues relevant to Japanese language education. Research thus far has included a through survey and analysis of Japanese language education, teachers in this area and their specific needs, and also a study of native Japanese language assistants and their experiences in schools in Victoria.

Material Development

Through this program, the MCJLE develops materials needed by teachers of Japanese to support the curricula, and makes such material readily available. A vital aspect of this is development of media and realia packs available for borrowing by schools teaching Japanese to enhance the cultural aspect of language learning.

Counselling and Advice

The MCJLE has increasingly supported teachers In their teaching careers by offering support and careers advice to teachers in need of assistance. It has also become well known as a source providing advice on matters related to Japanese language curricula, on teachers availability and on policies for the teachers of second language to interested parties and to general public.

Support for Diploma of Education Students

High quality Japanese language teachers requires quality training for the teachers. The MCJLE has established a program to provide Diploma of Education student who are planning to teach Japanese with Japanese teaching methods and language- specific training. During the year regular evening and day classes are held for Diploma of Education students.

Support Groups

The recognition of particular needs of groups with in the Japanese language teacher population prompted the MCJLE to establish separate support groups and networks for

These groups meet regularly to discuss issues specific to their needs. These seminars are practical and useful, and often include guest speakers.

Primary-Secondary-Tertiary

The cooperation between those involved with Japanese language education at different levels in the education system ensures continuing quality in Japanese language programs across the board.

MCJLE

About the Centre

Grants and Scholarships

Resources