Have you heard of "Watashi-go portfolio?", or "Wata-Poto"?

"Wata-Poto" is a resource for adults to help our children, who live in a complex mixture of languages and cultures, discover their own "Watashi-go" (literally, “Me-Language”; language of self-expression, or self-curated language ) and develop the ability to connect people to people and people to cultures.

"Watashi-go" is the collective term for the repertoire of words that each of us possesses. We use Japanese, English, and other languages every day. We speak English with an Australian or/and Japanese accent, and we listen to British, American, and other versions of English on television. If you go out on the street, you may see a sign in Chinese and understand what it means. There are many young people's expressions in Japanese that I do not understand, but I am sure our young readers understand them well. On the other hand, I am probably better at using keigo (honorific expressions) than most young people.

In this way, each and every one of us has a variety of "Watashi-go". And within each child's "Watashi-go" is also their own "Nihongo". "Wata-Poto" is a resource to help children develop their Japanese, within their "Watashi-go".

The Australian Network for Japanese as Community Language has planned a workshop to introduce "Wata-poto", and discuss how parents and teachers can use it to help their children learn. The first workshop will be held in Sydney in September for teachers of community language schools, and will be facilitated by Ms Yukiko Futami of Central Coast Japanese Community language School. The "Wata-Poto" workshop will then be held by myself in Adelaide in October, and Perth in November, for teachers and parents. I am very much looking forward to meeting many of you.

"Wata-Poto" is the result of the efforts of Team Motto Tsunagu (“Further Connections”) who are active in Germany. ANJCL has created an Australian version of "Wata-Poto". We will use the Australian version in our workshops. Please take a peek here.

(Chihiro Kinoshita Thomson, UNSW Sydney)

In Sydney, printed copies of "Watashi-go Portfolio User Guide" will be distributed, and we will refer to it when learning about "Wata-Poto".  Then, after demonstrating "Wata-Poto" being used by students of Central Coast Japanese Language Community School, participants will workshop activities from the portfolio.

Facilitators: 

Yukiko Futami (Central Coast Japanese Language Community School / Willoughby City Library)

Shoko Ono (ANJCL)

• Saturday 14 September, 6-8pm @ The Japan Foundation, Sydney

• Application open: 1 August - 7 September → 11 September

• Apply here.

• Watashi-go Portfolio can be downloaded here.

The workshop sessions will be held for parents, children, and teachers respectively.  

Facilitators: 

Prof Chihiro Kinoshita Thomson   (UNSW Sydney  / President of ANJCL)

Shoko Ono (ANJCL)

For more details, please enquire: Adelaide Japanese Community School 

The workshop sessions will be held for parents and teachers respectively.  

Facilitator: 

Prof Chihiro Kinoshita Thomson   (UNSW Sydney  / President of ANJCL)

in corporation with Dr Kyoko Kawasaki (The University of Western Australia / ANJCL)

For more details, please enquire: The Weekend Japanese School in Perth