Saturday, February 23, 2013

Time really flies!

2 weeks have just passed so quickly.  During last two weeks, GTS went to Los Angeles to attend the workshop for post-secondary Japanese program coordinators.  There have been efforts made for the world standard of Japanese language proficiency based on so-called "CAN-DO" statements list.

It is my hope that I can develop some Can-Do list for students to utilize their own skill in Japanese during the summer time.  

The challenge for us community college programs is that we have to prepare students to be transferred to senior institutions where GTS students can function without losing their faces as well as GTS'

GTS also participated as an official interviewer for JET program by the Japanese Government.  In the meantime, I was pointed out that I have high blood pressure (which I have known for a long time) and unfortunately with reservation, I have to use medication.   Oh, well....  Aging!!

Friday, February 8, 2013

First GTS/JCC Dinner tonight!

The first GTS/JCC dinner in 2013 is coming up tonight and I am looking forward to meeting many new students as well as former royal students.

JCC will help the elementary school in Downers Grove to hold the event for diversity in April 12th.
We will decorate their school classroom and introduce some cultural activities.  It is very exciting opportunity for the first time for JCC current team!

Spring field trip has 5 students and GTS is still expecting more to join in the trip.  Trip to Kyoto will be the last week of March and Japanese Meteology Agency announced a few days ago that the full bloom of cherry blossoms in Kyoto Area be 3/25, which is perfect!!!

Sumer Study Abroad began getting applications and 5 are already officially registered and about 5 are in the process at a moment.  Hopefully we will have a big group like last year! 

First test of all the classes have passed!

The average score of the first test of Japanese 1101 and 1102 are both 75%, which is predicted.   One for Japanese 2201 and 2202 are both 65%, and this is a bit lower than expected so I have to raise this score in the next test.

Usually first test is difficult for students as they have never seen before and the second test on, it gets a bit easier for them to expect and prepare. 

As a result of the first test, I may lose a few students from Japanese 1101 but not many from other courses because students have already an idea of how GTS keeps challenging them!

The second test will be more accurate as student anxiety will drop considerably.  (I Hope)