Aurora Foundation will present “Japanese Culture and Language Program” from April 2009 to March 2010 at Thousand Cranes Restaurant at Kyoto Grand Hotel & Gardens. The ten-session course will be designed to give an introduction to selected aspects of the Japanese culture and useful language relevant to the culture. It will provide information and experience to develop “survival” communication skills and strategies. Particular attention will be given to two areas: understanding culture-specific information on Japan, and developing “survival” communication abilities in Japan. Participants are encouraged to explore their own cultural heritage in comparison to the Japanese culture and language, which will enhance to define self-identity and help them to function in a new environment and experience. Each session will be lead by specialists in its field.
Dates: April 11th 2009 – March 6th 2010 (10-session course, conducted in English)
Time: 2:00PM – 4:00PM
Location: Thousand Cranes Restaurant at Kyoto Grand Hotel & Gardens in Little Tokyo
120 S. Los Angeles St., Los Angeles, CA 90012・http://www.kyotograndhotel.com/hotel/
Fee: $25/session + $10 Registration fee/one time + Additional material fees may apply,
depending on the session. Aurora Club members will also receive 10% off.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR SEMINAR
Registration: Please mail the registration form and make check payable to Aurora Foundation.
Aurora Foundation: 3127 Nichols Canyon Rd., Los Angeles, CA 90046
Online registration is available (www.jlsf-aurora.org). We also accept credit card payment.
Parking: A special permit will be issued for FREE parking at Kajima Auto Park on San Pedro St. between
1st St. and 2nd St. (valid between 1:30pm – 5:30pm) For more information, please contact Aurora Foundation.
Course Objective:
The class will be conducted interactively, focusing on “visible cultural aspects,” moving toward an understanding of “invisible cultural concepts and perspectives,” and developing cross-cultural strategies for effective communication. At the end of the course, the participants will have an awareness of the nature of selected aspects of Japanese culture and useful interpersonal communication strategies in the Japanese society. They could express themselves with useful but survival level Japanese. The course will extend their prior knowledge of Japan and expand their perspectives that, in turn, will help them face new experiences personally and professionally. Participants gain an awareness and appreciation for diverse cultures by understanding and experiencing sociolinguistic aspects of Japanese culture. It will also provide opportunities to examine their own language and culture, which will enrich their lives in general. Participants will develop the ability to identify barriers to communicate effectively and to find strategies for problem solving. Participants will gain insights into life in Japan in general after the ten-session program. They will be preparing to visit Japan after completion of the program.
Course Schedule (tentative):
Topics may be modified according to the participants’ interest and needs.
Session 1 /April 11, 2009 Introduction to overview of Japan, the language and culture, communicating without speaking
Japanese fluently - non-verbal communication
Session 2 / May 2, 2009 Japanese cuisine, bento, nature appreciation, gift giving and receiving
Session 3 / June 6, 2009 Flower arrangement, leisure and recreation
Session 4 / July 11, 2009 Travel, holidays and festivals (e.g. Star festival -Tanabata)
Session 5 / Sept. 12, 2009* Japanese architecture, Japanese garden
Session 6 / Oct. 10, 2009 Kimono, kabuki, Japanese dancing – nihon buyo
Session 7 / Nov. 7, 2009 Tea ceremony, religions
Session 8 / Jan. 9, 2010 Calligraphy, fine arts, Japanese Culture in LA
Session 9 / Feb. 6, 2010 Japanese film, music, Anime, Taiko, Koto
Session 10 / March 6, 2010 Orientation for Travel to Japan, Graduation Dinner
* indicates change in date
Optional Japan Tour (tentative):
Date: Mid April, 2010 / 8 days trip to Japan (visiting Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, Hiroshima and Onsen), up to 25 people
Price: TBA
Program Director:
Yoko Pusavat, Professor Emeritus, California State University, Long Beach; Transnational Culture and Communication
Consultant/Trainer
Aurora Foundation:
The Aurora Foundation was established in 1998 by Dr. Akiko Agishi, Founder and President, as a non-profit 501(c) (3) organization. Its mission promotes Japanese culture to mainstream Americans interested in Japanese language and culture by providing them scholarships and grants through the Aurora Foundation’s Scholarship Programs. We also offer All-USA High School Speech contest (co-presented by NCJLT and Consulate General of Japan), annual Japanese Film Screening, Charity Golf Classic, and Fall Benefit Award Dinner & Concert to support southern California communities and to exchange culture between US and Japan. The scholarship recipients have been generating immeasurable goodwill for USA/Japan relations, and the Foundation believes that its efforts and accomplishments will continue to influence younger generations now and into the future.
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Aurora Japanese Culture & Language Program
