Activities on October 2nd (１０月２日のアクティビティー)

Today, complete exercises 1-4. (If you do not finish them in class, finish them at home). Those who have time, complete exercise 5 as well.

1. About the Blog Project (5 min.)

• We will start a blog project today. First, start by reading the post titled “Blog Project”, which illustrates the purpose of this project. Scroll all the way down and you will see the entry titled “blog project.”

2. The Development of the Blog (15 min.)

• On this page, if you scroll down you will see the post titled: “How to Open a Blog Account.” Read this and develop your blog.  If you have successfully opened your blog account, help out your nearby classmates.

• Once you have started your blog, send the blog’s URL address (e.g.,
  http://tanoshikunihongo2012.blogspot.com)to your instructor.(Matsui: kml2168@columbia.edu, Eguchi: se53@columbia.edu, Park: parkjisuk3@gmail.com, Tatsumi: nt2358@columbia.edu).

3. Write a Self-Introduction in Japanese (30 min.)

• In hiragana, write the first draft of your self-introduction. (Do not publish it online yet). For those who do not want to use their real names, it is also fine to use a pseudonym. For those who do not know how to type in Japanese, click on the “Japanese and Computer” link on the right-hand side of this page. If you still have questions or technical problems, we encourage you to help each other.

• After writing your self-introduction, form groups of 2-3 students to peer edit your self-introduction. (Is your hiragana written correctly?) *If the hiragana appears too small on the page and is difficult to read, press the “Apple/command” key and the “+” key together, (PC users press the “Control” key instead of the “Apple/command” key) and the characters will get larger.

• After everyone in the group has read and corrected each others’ self-introductions, click “publish post” which then allows your post to be published.

4. Post in English (or your native language) (10 min.)

• Write in English (or your native language) about why you chose to study Japanese, also include what you are excited, and what you find difficult after the first 4 weeks of the class.

*If you use an online translator, such as Google Translate, you can read your classmates' blogs in any language (See "べんりなリンク(USEFUL LINKS)" in the right column), so it doesn't have to be in English.

ブログプロジェクト(Blog Project)

ブログプロジェクト(Blog Project)

Blog Project:

Welcome to the Blogging Project! For this class we would like you to keep a blog because it provides a place:

1. To share/express your happiness, surprise, excitement, and/or frustration, as well as any questions you might have, while learning the Japanese language (or any other topics).

* While studying new grammar and words is very important when learning a language, it is equally important to actually use the language in a real life context. You must not wait to express yourself only when you think you have mastered the language because language learning is basically an ongoing process. In the beginning you may use English or any languages to express yourself, but we recommend that you gradually switch to Japanese whenever you feel comfortable enough to express yourself in Japanese.

2. To communicate with your classmates and other people outside of class.

* Language learning is not limited to what you do for the course but also includes what you do and experience outside the class. For this project we will ask you to form a group with three or four students. The purpose of the group is to encourage and monitor each other (e.g., leaving a comment on each other’s blog and making sure everyone is following the schedule). We will ask you to change groups once or twice during the semester.

* We will also create links to your classmates' blogs as well as blogs by students in other sections, other levels, and other schools, so you can see what other people think and feel about Japanese language learning (as well as other topics). You are also encouraged to leave comments on these blogs.

* We know that your Japanese language is very limited, but you can convey your intended meaning more effectively by utilizing other resources such as pictures and videos. Remember that people utilize not only language but also other resources such as tone of your voice, music, body language, picture, color, font style and size for communication.

3. To reflect (or evaluate) what you have done so far.

* Sometimes it is challenging to see our own progress or growth. Blogs help you to look back and see how you have changed through the course of your Japanese language learning.

How to Open a Blog Account

How to Open a Blog Account

In order to open a new blog account, please follow the instructions.
1. Go to http://www.blogger.com to create your blog.

• In order to receive comments from as many people as possible, please select "Settings," then "Comments," and choose either "Registered Users" or "Users with Google Accounts" under the "Who can comment?" section.

• If you want to know how to type Japanese, please click the link listed on the right side.

2. Send your blog address (URL) to the instructor.

• If you have trouble opening a new account, please let the instructor know.

• If you already have a blog and you can use Japanese on it, you do not have to open a new account.

3. Post a blog entry regularly.

• If you have no idea about what to write, please see the following suggested topics.

I can read Japanese!
In speaking Japanese!
Reasons I am studying Japanese
My dream
My Japanese friends
Japanese grammar vs. English grammar
Speaking vs. Writing
Listening vs. Reading
My daily schedule
I have no time to study!
I spent so much time studying, but..
My hobbies
My classmates
What I like/dislike about Japan or Japanese
Daily news
Japanese writing system
Kanji
Japanese vocabulary
Favorite lab exercise
Voc quiz
My favorite Japanese TV show, movie, or anime

• You can also use pictures and videos!

(Evaluation)
In the end of the semester your blog will be evaluated by the instructor, your classmates as well as yourself. We will discuss the criteria of evaluation in the middle of the semester.