What's On

Are you planning your post-graduation career path? Are you interested in teaching Japanese in secondary schools in England? Would you like to get the teaching qualification to realise that ambition? If so, don’t miss this great opportunity!

The Japan Foundation, London and the National Modern Languages SCITT will be holding a career information event aimed at potential applicants for the National Modern Languages SCITT (School-Centred Initial Teacher Training). This is a national scheme approved by the government’s Department for Education. It is designed to train successful applicants to become Early Career Teachers by obtaining a QTS (Qualified Teacher Status).

On this information day, there will be a presentation about useful information concerning how to find a job in the education sector by Japan Foundation staff, followed by a speech given by Mr Keith Faulkner from the NML SCITT about School-Centred Initial Teacher Training, where he will explain how to apply for this programme.

----- What is NML SCITT? -----

The National Modern Languages SCITT (The NML SCITT) is the only national single-subject provider to specialise solely in the teaching of modern languages. The NML SCITT programme is a great opportunity for those who are looking to gain QTS together with a Post Graduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) qualification. The PGCE programme is offered in conjunction with Sheffield Hallam University, and comes with credits towards an eventual possible Masters-level qualification. Subject to financial factors, degree classification and residential qualification, trainees accepted on the programme may receive a substantial bursary while training; this is currently £25,000 (subject to annual change). The training year consists of practical training in school placements, supported by University- and centre-based academic tuition.

The NML SCITT has introduced a new pathway for training Japanese language teachers.; There is an expectation that trainees can offer Japanese alongside either French, German or Spanish in order to better find a placement, and to ensure that there is a possibility of qualifying for the bursary. The NML SCITT is proud to add Japanese to the programme portfolio. The Japan Foundation, London may also offer financial support to assist NML SCITT trainees (a maximum of £2,000). Please note that this financial support is not guaranteed.

Please note that trainees are required to have French, German or Spanish as a primary foreign language they can potentially teach, with Japanese as an additional language. This means that trainees will be able to teach two languages.

------------------------------

Date:

• 18:00-19:00 on Thursday 6th November
• 13:00-14:00 on Friday 7th November

*The same session will take place twice.

To apply, please click here:

https://forms.office.com/r/LgX6usYRaU

• Participation fee: Free (registration in advance is required.)
• Registration deadline: 4th November
• Languages used: English.
• Online (ZOOM meeting)

Applications for JaLaChamp 2026 are now open!

JaLaChamp, or Japanese Language Championship for Young Learners UK, is a contest for primary and secondary school students studying Japanese. There are two categories - the Speech Category, where students give a speech on a theme of their choice, and the Video Category where students are asked to create an original video based on a set theme either by individual or part of a group.

We want to encourage students to share with us their thoughts and viewpoints, as well as show us their creativity in full and have fun challenging themselves by entering this contest and using their Japanese!

The speech category is aimed for secondary school students who study Japanese as a foreign language, while the video category is open to all primary and secondary school students including those who have lived in Japan and who speak Japanese at home.

The theme for the video category of JaLaChamp 2026 is 私わたし(たち)のおすすめのサンドイッチ ”My/Our Favourite Sandwiches”. You can let us know about your favourite sandwiches, ingredients and recipes or create a video based on a sandwich you think would be a popular item if it were sold in supermarket or bakeries. It can be something else, such as onigiri, sushi rolls, wraps and hamburgers.    

From 2026, all videos created by students in the video category will be made available on the Japan Foundation London’s website, allowing your work to have a wider audience!

The Finals Day is scheduled to be held on Saturday, 20^th June 2026, in London. For JaLaChamp 2026, the Finals Day will be divided into two sessions: the morning session for Primary School Video Category finalists and the afternoon session for Secondary School Speech and Video Category finalists, with both sessions to be held on the same day.

For more details, please see the application guidelines below.

Download Guidelines for Primary School Students (English)/Guidelines for Secondary School Students (English)

Download Guidelines for Primary School Students (Japanese)/Guidelines for Secondary School Students (Japanese)

Download the Consent Form for the Video Category

Application Forms and deadlines

- Speech Category Application Form (Apply by Tuesday, 3rd March 2026 at 15:00)

- Video Category Application Form (Apply by Tuesday, 10th March 2026 at 15:00)

Download the JaLaChamp 2026 poster

Date:	16 October 2025 - 10 March 2026
Download JaLaChamp 2026 Poster
Download Guideline_EN_2026_Primary
Download Guideline_EN_2026_Secondary
Download Guideline_JP_2026_Primary
Download Guideline_JP_2026_Secondary
Download JaLaChamp2026_Consent Form Video Category

国際交流基金ロンドン日本文化センター日本語教育セミナー

制作者から学ぶパターン・ランゲージ

― 継承語およびその他実践へのツールとしての活用の可能性―

■ご案内

　日本語教師や教育関係者の中で、パターン・ランゲージに注目している方は少なからずいらっしゃると思います。パターン・ランゲージとは、その分野の先人たちの暗黙知や経験知をパターンとして集め言語化したもので、日本語教育の各分野の実践においても大変有用なツールになると考えられます。国際交流基金ロンドン日本文化センターが今年２月に英国日本語教育学会と共催で行ったパターン・ランゲージを題材にしたセミナーも大変好評でした。

　そこで今回は実際にパターン・ランゲージのカードの制作者を講師にお招きして、実際のカードの作成プロセスや活用方法などについて学びます。パターン・ランゲージやその作成に興味がある方は大歓迎です。また、パターン・ランゲージはともすると情報交換の機会が乏しくなりがちな継承語教育分野とも相性がよいと考えておりますので、継承語教育に関わってらっしゃる方も同じく大歓迎です。もちろん、今回初めてパターン・ランゲージについて聞いたという方も大歓迎です。

　みなさまのお申し込みを心よりお待ちしております。

Among Japanese language teachers and education professionals, there are undoubtedly many who are paying attention to pattern language. A pattern language describes a collection of solutions to problems, all of which have been sourced from experienced people and based on their pre-existing knowledge and experience. These collections of solutions are created to tackle problems impacting a single broader topic such as “heritage language”. Pattern languages are considered a highly useful tool for practice across various areas of Japanese language education.

　This time, we are delighted to welcome a creator of pattern language cards as our instructor. We will learn about the actual card creation process and methods for utilising these cards. Those interested in pattern language and its creation are most welcome to attend. Furthermore, we believe pattern language is well-suited to the field of heritage language education, where opportunities for information exchange can sometimes be lacking. Therefore, those involved in heritage language education are especially encouraged to attend as well. Naturally, those hearing about pattern language for the first time are also most welcome.

　We look forward to receiving your applications.

---

■概要

• 日　時: 2025年11月30日（日）　10:00~12:00（英国時間）
• テーマ: 制作者から学ぶパターン・ランゲージ

― 継承語およびその他実践へのツールとしての活用の可能性―

• 講　師: 花王株式会社　経営企画部門　コンシューマーインテリジェンス室　マネジャー　               伊藤公江氏

• 対　象: 英国・欧州の日本語教師および日本語教育関係者

（上記の方を優先しますが、その他の地域の方の参加も可能です）

• 実施形態: オンライン（Zoom）
• 使用言語: 日本語
• 参加費: 無料
• お申込み方法: こちらのフォームからご登録ください。

• お申込み締め切り: 2025年11月25日（火） 12:00（英国時間）

※定員に達し次第受付を終了いたします。

主　催: 国際交流基金 ロンドン日本文化センター

共　催: 国際交流基金 パリ日本文化会館

■セミナー内容

本セミナーでは、パターン・ランゲージ『日々の世界のつくりかた』を作成された花王株式会社の制作担当者の方を講師としてお招きし、パターン・ランゲージの作成プロセスを中心にお話を聞きます。『日々の世界のつくりかた』の作成の際に、経験則をどのように集め、結果をどのように分類し、カードの枚数をどう決定し、タイトルや表現をどう選んだのかなどについて制作担当者から具体的なお話を聞く貴重な機会です。加えて、作成後の実際の活用事例などにも触れていただき、Break Out Roomではパターン・ランゲージカードを実際に使いながら、グループ活動を行います。

今回はパターン・ランゲージ『日々の世界のつくりかた』を事例とします。『日々の世界のつくりかた』（2016）は花王株式会社　生活者研究センターが慶應義塾大学総合政策学部　井庭崇研究室との共同研究プロジェクトとして制作したパターン・ランゲージカードで、自分らしく子育てしながら働くためのヒントが34のことばにまとめられています。無料公開されておりダウンロード可能です。

【日々の世界のつくりかた】

https://www.kao.co.jp/content/dam/sites/kao/www-kao-co-jp/lifei/report/pdf/hibino-sekaino-tsukurikata.pdf 

※事前課題：セミナーに参加される方は、あらかじめこのカードに目を通しておいてください。

■講師プロフィール: 伊藤公江（いとう・きみえ）

花王株式会社　経営企画部門　コンシューマーインテリジェンス室　マネジャー

外資系調査会社を経て、2005年に花王株式会社に入社。家事や子育て、働き方など幅広いテーマでライフスタイル研究を担当。

生活者研究の知見をパターン・ランゲージにまとめた「日々の世界のつくりかた」や「家族のためのスタイル・ランゲージ」のプロジェクトメンバーとして発足当初から継続的に関わり続けてきた。現在は、研究の視野をタテ・ヨコの両面で広げ、生活者の「今とこれから」をグローバル視点で捉え、より良い未来を作るためのヒントを関係者と共に考えるための情報と共有手段（ワークショップ等）の開発に注力している。

---

イベントチラシのダウンロードはこちら

お問合せ / Enquires: events.japanese@jpf.go.jp

Date:	30 November 2025 from 10.00am to 12.00pm
Venue:	Online
Download 2025_1130_制作者から学ぶパターン・ランゲージJPちらし

AIと共に学ぶ作文教育：自律性と協働性をつなぐ視点

*Please note that information about this seminar is only available in Japanese.

【研修本編】 

• 日時： 2025年11月14日（金）10時～12時 （中央ヨーロッパ時間) 

　※この時期は夏時間が終了しています。お住まいの国との時差にご注意ください！ 

【研修アフタートーク】 

• 日時： 2025年11月28日（金）10時～11時 （中央ヨーロッパ時間) 

※アフタートークの申し込みは研修本編にてお知らせいたします。 

講師：李在鎬(り じぇほ) 先生 （早稲田大学大学院, 日本語教育研究科, 教授） 

• 講師プロフィール：https://researchmap.jp/jhlee/  

主な著書： 

• 『AIで言語教育は終わるのか?: 深まる外国語の教え方と学び方』（共著, くろしお出版, 25年5月） 
• 『社会の中のことば』（シリーズ〈ことばの認知科学〉, 朝倉書店, 24年10月）

　※第７章「ことばのコーパス分析」を執筆 

• 『日本語学習は本当に必要か』（編: 村田晶子・神吉宇一, 明石書店, 24年2月） 

　※第12章「テクノロジーは日本語学習をなくすのか」を執筆 

• 『データ科学×日本語教育』（ひつじ書房, 21年11月）

講師からのメッセージ： 
　第二言語としての作文教育は、これまでプロセス・アプローチやジャンル・アプローチを中心に発展してまいりましたが、近年は生成AIの登場により、大きな転換点を迎えております。AIは学習者に即時的なフィードバックや多様な表現例を提示し、語彙の拡充や文章構成の習得を支援してくれます。その一方で、過度な依存によって自律的な学習の機会が失われてしまうというリスクも抱えています。 
　本講演では、まず第二言語ライティング研究の理論的枠組みを整理し、その中にAI活用を位置づけてご紹介いたします。次に、学習者の作文を評価する活動を通して、「書く力」とは何かという問題を考えてまいります。また、生成AIを用いた実際のシステムも体験していただきながら、AI活用の可能性と課題について皆さまと一緒に考えていきたいと思います。最後に、AIを排除するのではなく「共作者」や「コーチ」として取り入れる視点から、今後の作文教育における教師の役割や教育デザインの可能性を展望いたします。 

• 共催： 国際交流基金 欧州拠点（ロンドン日本文化センター、ケルン日本文化会館、パリ日本文化会館、ローマ日本文化会館、ブダペスト日本文化センター） 
• 形式： オンライン（ZOOM） 
• 対象： 欧州在住の日本語教師を優先しますが、他地域からもご参加できます 

------------------------------------------------- 

お申込み：　こちらから　

※締め切り：　2025年11月2日(日) 

お問合せ：　国際交流基金マドリード日本文化センター 　nihongo.kyoshi@jpf.go.jp 

みなさまのお申込みをお待ちしております！ 

The Japanese-Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) is a test for non-native speakers of Japanese which evaluates and certifies their Japanese-Language proficiency. The test takes place twice a year (July and December) in Japan and various locations around the world. Currently, it is the largest Japanese language test in the world, with approximately 1.72 million people worldwide having registered for the JLPT in 2024.

The next December JLPT will take place on Sunday, 7^th December 2025. Registration will start at each test centre from early/ mid-August.  

The December exam will be held at three test sites in the UK: SOAS University of London, the University of Leicester and the University of Edinburgh. For application opening dates and registration details, please refer to each university’s website using the links below (Please note that the JLPT is very popular and registration at each test centre will close when the test centre has reached its maximum capacity.):

×             Japan Research Centre, SOAS University of London SOAS Applications have now closed

×             University of Leicester Applications at University of Leicester have now closed

×             University of Edinburgh Applications at University of Edinburgh have now closed

Important Changes

1. Starting from 2025, examinees are not allowed to use mobile phones and other devices, including smartwatches and all camera and communication devices, until the end of the entire test, including during breaks. Examinees must turn OFF their devices until the test is completed. If the devices are turned ON during breaks, it will be considered misconduct and their test scores will be invalidated.

2. Starting in December 2025, the Exam Start Time will be earlier and registration will take place in the morning. Please check the new test schedule at your test centre’s website and make sure that you will be able to arrive on time to register.

3. CEFR Levels will be added as reference information in JLPT score reports starting from the December 2025 JLPT. For details, please check here.  

For more information about the test, please visit JLPT website.

Ø  Let’s Try Sample Questions!

We are delighted to announce that the 21st Japanese Speech Contest for University Students is open for applications!

This contest gives students the chance to demonstrate their Japanese speaking skills and to make their voices heard in Japanese. Finalists will be invited to give their speeches and presentations at the Speech Contest Finals Day, which will be held at King’s College London on Saturday 7th March 2026.

There will be fantastic prizes to finalists.

:: Contest Aims

The main purpose of the event is to improve the speaking and presentation skills of students studying Japanese as a foreign language. Through this event, we hope to promote Japanese language learning at higher education level in the UK and Ireland.

:: Who can apply?

The contest is aimed at undergraduate students who are currently studying Japanese as a foreign language at a university in the UK or Ireland.

There are three different categories*:

*Please be advised that contestants are expected to choose appropriate topics according to the category to which they are applying.

1. Speech Category

Aim:

To discuss and/or argue a topic of your choice and offer opinions, suggestions and/or solutions.

Eligibility:

·       Undergraduate students who are studying a Japanese course aiming for the equivalent of JF standard C1 or C2* at a university in the UK or Ireland including, as an elective, optional or other university-based language course.

·       Those who have less than a total of three years’ residence in Japan since the age of six.

*      Five finalists will be selected.

Application Deadline: Monday 10th November 2025  (15:00 GMT)

2. Individual Presentation Category

Aim:

To explain your chosen topic and to convey your opinion or message using PowerPoint slides.

Eligibility:

·       Undergraduate students who are studying a Japanese course aiming for the equivalent of JF standard B1 or B2* at a university in the UK or Ireland.

·       Those who have spent not more than 12 months in total in Japan.

*      Five finalists will be selected.

Application Deadline: Monday 8th December 2025 (15:00 GMT)

3. Group Presentation Category

Aim:

To introduce a topic related to the U.K. or another country outside of Japan.

Eligibility:

·       Undergraduate students who are studying a Japanese course aiming for the equivalent of JF standard A1 or A2* at a university in the UK or Ireland.

·       Groups of two to four students.

·       Postgraduate students alongside undergraduate student(s).

*      Five finalist groups will be selected.

Application Deadline: Monday 15^th December 2025 (15:00 GMT)

*Details of JF Standard can be found here: https://www.jfstandard.jpf.go.jp/pdf/web_whole_en.pdf  

Please see the files below for the contest poster, FAQ, and application guidelines for each category. URL for online application form can be found in the Application Guidelines for each category.

Contest Poster

Frequently Asked Questions

Speech Category Application Guidelines

Individual Presentation Category Application Guidelines

Group Presentation Category Application Guidelines

See videos from previous University Speech Contest Finals Day here.

Please email speechcontest@jpf.go.jp if you have any questions.

Date:	1 September 2025 - 15 December 2025
Download 21st Speech Contest Application Poster
Download SpC21 Speech Category guidelines
Download SpC21 Indivi Presen Category guidelines
Download SpC21 Group Presen Category guidelines
Download SpC21 FAQ