Professional Development

Past Workshops Organized by IATJ

All workshops were made possible by generous support of the Japan Foundation in Los Angeles.

2025-2026

Fall Workshop (October 4, 2025) 研修会詳細・プログラム、参加申し込みは＜こちら＞

“Kanji Instruction for Developing Reading Comprehension: Theory and Practice”

読解力を育てる漢字指導：理論と実践を学び合う

Lectures by:

Prof. Etsuko Takahashi, Distinguished Senior Lecturer, University of Miami

Prof. Hisae Fujiwara, Assistant Professor of Japanese and Director of the Japanese Language Program, Brandeis University

Panel sesskon by:

Yoko Katagiri, The University of Chicago

Shino Hayashi, The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champagne

Ryoko Hayashi, Bartlet High School, Streamwood High School

Karla Button & Riho Wakabayashi, Lockport Township High School

2024-2025

Spring Workshop (March 9, 2025)

Co-hosted with the Japan Information Center, the Consulate-General of Japan in Chicago

Held at the Japan Information Center, Chicago, IL

"High School Japanese Language Curricula: Towards Improved Articulation 1"

「高校における日本語教育〜アーティキュレーション①〜」

Speakers: Margaret O'Connell, Evanston Township High School

Hikaru Takeyama, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Laboratory High School

Fall Workshop (October 26, 2024)

Held at Elk Grove High School, IL

“From Heritage Language Education to Higher Education: The Cutting Edge of Educational ICT and Japanese Language Teaching Material Development”

「継承語教育から高等教育まで〜教育ICTと日本語教材開発の最前線〜」

Speaker:   Aya Okada, the University of Oklahoma

2023-2024

Winter Mini Workshop (February 17, 2024)

Co-hosted with the American Association of Teachers of Japanese (AATJ)

Held at Elk Grove High School, IL

“Discussion with parents of children with developmental disorder: what teachers can do for these children and their parents” 

「発達障害をもつ学習者支援〜保護者の視点、教師の視点〜」

Speakers: Mariko Moroishi Wei, Purdue University 

    Mieko Avello, Miami Palmetto High School

Fall Workshop (October 22, 2023)

Held at Elk Grove High School, IL

"Effective Use of Can-Do Statements and Learning Materials: Facilitating Learners' Social Engagement" 

「社会参加者の育成を目指す教育におけるCan-Do Statementsの活用と教材作成」

Instructor: Yoko Sakurai, Baruch College, The City University of New York/Fordham University

Spring Workshop (May 7, 2023)

Co-hosted with the Japanese Information Center, Consulate-General of Japan in Chicago

Held at the Japan Information Center, Chicago, IL

“Supporting Japanese Language Learners with Neurodevelopmental Disorders and Other Special Needs During Classroom Instruction” 

「学習面・行動機能面の障害を持つ日本語学習者支援～日本語教師にできること」

Instructor: Natsuki Tanabe Piazza, Ed.D, NCSP

Followed by three online summer discussions sessions