Japanese Language & Culture

Nami Ohara teaches Japanese language and culture to students in St. John's, NL and also around the world via Skype Lessons. This blog is designed to provide Japanese lessons, notes on Japanese culture and lots of other fun Japanese related stuff to enhance the learning experience of Japanese language students everywhere.
Japanese-na Nihongo (Facebook Group)

Tuesday, December 31, 2013

Happy New Year 2014

新年明けましておめでとうございます。今年もどうぞ宜しくお願いします。
しんねん あけまして おめでとうございます。ことしも どうぞ よろしくおねがいします。

Thursday, December 26, 2013

Year End Greeting

年末の挨拶(ねんまつ の あいさつ)



Friday, December 20, 2013

Online Lessons: Message from Alabama, USA

Google Hangout Lessons 

ジェイミー イゼルさん


I studied the Japanese language with the most popular language programs for nearly one year before deciding I needed something more. 

After only two months of lessons with Nami, I have gained a greater real-world vocabulary than any of the textbooks and programs ever supplied. I have also gained a deeper understanding of Japanese culture through her use of videos and media recommendations. 

Nami teaches in a way that is challenging, rewarding, and fun.  I would recommend her to anyone that is serious about learning Japanese. 

Monday, December 9, 2013

Taiyaki - Japanese Sweets


鯛焼き(たいやき)
Taiyaki  - baked sea bream
a fish-shaped pancake filled with azuki bean paste
 Abrielle made Taiyaki. It was very tasty. Thank you very much.
とてもおいしかったです。ごちそうさまでした。
鯛(たい)- sea bream

たい焼きレシピ Taiyaki Recipe 

Sunday, December 1, 2013

Kanji of the Month for Dec. 2013

今月の漢字(こんげつのかんじ)
12月(じゅうにがつ)





 あか(aka)=  Red





みどり(midori)=  Green

Saturday, November 30, 2013

Passwords for the Month of Dec., 2013

今月の合言葉(こんげつのあいことば)
12月(じゅうにがつ)

「こんげつのあいことば」は「サンタクロースクイズ」です。

れい1  (example1)

せんせい (teacher):サンタクロースはどこにすんでいるの?

せいと(student):ほっきょく

れい 2  (example 2)

せんせい (teacher):ルドルフのはなのいろは?

せいと(student):あか









Wednesday, November 20, 2013

Challenge Japanese Tongue Twisters

はやくちことば   に  ちょうせん
早口言葉 に 挑戦
 
Challenge Tongue Twisters
  
アリーシャさん、ダミアンさん、ジョーダンさんが早口言葉(はやくちことば)に挑戦(ちょうせん)しました。


みなさん とてもよくできました。


Saturday, November 16, 2013

Halloween Lucky Draw - ハロウィン くじびき

おめでとう! Congratulations!


First Prize 1とう:   T-シャツ

Second Prize 2とう:  T-シャツ

Third Prize  3とう:  バインダー





Saturday, November 2, 2013

Kanji of the Month for November, 2013

今月の漢字(こんげつのかんじ)
十一月(じゅういちがつ)




しち (schichi) - seven


ご (go) -Five


さん (san) -three



七五三(しちごさん)

What is しちごさん?
Please watch the following video.

Friday, November 1, 2013

Passwords for the Month, Nov. 2013

今月の合言葉(こんげつのあいことば)
11月(じゅういちがつ)




あいことば  Level 1(Easiest Version)



あいことば Level 2


 あいことば Level 3


 あいことば  Level 4


 あいことば Level 5 (Advanced version)













Monday, September 30, 2013

Message from Asssitant Language Teacher (JET Programme)

クリスティーナ プリティーさん 
Christina Pretty



When I lived in St. John’s, I was a student of Nami’s. Now, I am an Assistant Language Teacher in Japan with the JET Programme! I am placed in Yurihonjo City in Akita Prefecture (in the Tohoku region of Japan). My city is beautiful! We are on the coast of the Sea of Japan and we are surrounded by mountains and rice fields. It is a very scenic place to live and I love it here! Yurihonjo, like St. John’s, is a quiet city. Not many people speak English here, so I've had lots of opportunities to work on my Japanese.

CCC
Akita Prefecture
 aaaa 
ccc
aaaaa


My job keeps me very busy, but I enjoy working with my fellow teachers. Everyone is so nice and so helpful! I eat school lunch with them every day. In Japan, the school lunch is delicious! I was surprised; in Canada, school lunches are not always that good.

The students at my school are very kind. Teaching them is so much fun! I love greeting the students in the hallway, and they always reply back “hello!” with such enthusiasm! I was amazed that they clean the school every day by themselves. I help them sometimes, too – it’s a fun way to spend time together.

Japanese festivals are amazing to see in-person. I have been to two so far – a Bon Odori festival in Ugo, Akita, and a fireworks festival in Omagari, Akita. The fireworks festival is famous in Japan and for a good reason – it is over three hours of beautiful fireworks displays! Some of the displays are even choreographed to music. I love trying the food at festivals – I had takoyaki (fried octopus) in Omagari and it was delicious!

Of course, moving to a new country has led to some challenges, too. Going to the supermarket was difficult at first – it would take me 1.5 hours to grocery shop because it took me a long time to read/look up kanji. However, I am getting much more comfortable with it and now I look forward to trying new products every time I go to the supermarket and the convenience store.

Even though I've only been in Japan for a month, I am really enjoying my time here. I hope that, if you get the chance to visit, you will enjoy it here, too!

ccccccccc

Sunday, September 29, 2013

Passwords for the Month of Oct,, 2013


十月の合言葉
じゅうがつ の あいことば



Greetings
せんせい/teacher:こんにちは。 おはらです。
せいと/student:( なまえ/name )です。
せんせい/teacher:こんにちは。

Passwords
 Example 1
せんせい/teacher:こんげつのあいことば 「あき
せいと/student:もみじがり

 Example 2
せんせい:こんげつのあいことば「ふゆ
せいと:こたつとみかん

Example 3
せんせい:こんげつのあいことば「はる
せいと:おはなみ

Example 4:
せんせい:こんげつのあいことば「はなび
せいと:「なつ

Example 5
せんせい:こんげつのあいことば「こたつとみかん
せいと:「ふゆ
















Kanji of the Month for Oct., 2013


 十月の漢字(じゅうがつのかんじ)


 あか(aka) = red




き(ki) = yellow



Wednesday, September 4, 2013

Saturday, August 31, 2013

Kanji of the Month for September, 2013

今月の漢字 9月
こんげつのかんじ くがつ


月見 つきみ Tsuki mi  = Moon Viewing






Passwords for the Month of September, 2013

今月の合言葉 9月
こんげつのあいことば くがつ



Please answer your zodiac sign as the passwords for the month of September. 

せんせい: (     )さんの せいざは なんですか。
せいと:  (     )ざ です。

(れい)example
せんせい:マークくんのせいざは なんですか。
せいと:おひつじざ です。


Friday, August 9, 2013

Japanese Chat Club - August 31, 2013

 Japanese Language & Culture Meetup Group

Oshaberi Club (おしゃべりクラブ)  is in this month!

What is the meaning of Oshaberi?
Oshaberi means “Chat” in Japanese. 

Participants will be able to enjoy using Japanese language and experiencing Japanese culture. This is also a great opportunity for you to expand your Japanese network in St. John’s.

Photos from the previous Oshaberi Club  (click each month)
2013 
June   Jan.
2012
Nov.   
2011
July   June  May      

Place: Nami's Place (St. John's, Newfoundland)
Date:  Saturday, August 31, 2013
Time: Door Open 7 pm- Door Close 10 pm 
Fee: $10  (including free non-alcohol drink and popcorn)
           Early bird fee - $7  (by Sat., August 24)
Minimum Number of Participants: three



Monday, August 5, 2013

Testimonial from a Student

When I found out that I was accepted into the JET Programme, I knew that I wanted to improve my Japanese before I moved to Japan. My lessons with Nami were so helpful and so much fun! Not only did I learn about the language, but I really enjoyed how Nami incorporated teaching parts of the Japanese culture in my lessons, too. Nami tailored my lessons for me, making it a very comfortable and enjoyable way to learn Japanese!

Christina Pretty 
Assistant Language Teacher (ALT)
Japan Exchange and Teaching Programme

Wednesday, July 31, 2013

Song of the Month for August, 2013

今月の歌(こんげつのうた)kongetsu no uta

八月(はちがつ) hachi gatsu







Kanji of the Month, August 2013

今月の漢字(こんげつのかんじ)Kanji of the Month

八月(はちがつ)August

            
sun                                        blue
                
      



 clear, fair, fine, shine, bright



晴れ(はれ)hare --- clear weather




Passwords for the Month, August 2013

今月の合言葉(こんげつのあいことば)kongetsu no aikotoba

八月(はちがつ)hachi gatsu


せんせい (teacher): 
週末(しゅうまつ) どこへいきましたか。

せいと(student): 
(    )へ いきました。(    )です。

 れい (example): 
 (レストラン) へ いきました。 (おいしかった) です。

Please use your weekend activities as your passwords for the month. Watch the following video which helps you to make your passwords.





あいことば(Aikotoba/passwords) is a magical phrase (like "open sesame") to open the Japanese language classroom's door.

    

先生(せんせい)       生徒(せいと)


                               こんにちは。           こんにちは。xxxxxです。       

あいことば は なんですか。               xxxxxxxx

                                   どうぞ。

 


Sunday, July 21, 2013

Japanese Hiragana ABC - Song

「あいうえお」 の うた
「a i u e o」 song




Karaoke Version

Sunday, June 30, 2013

Oshaberi Report - June 29, 2013

Oshaberi Club was hosted on June 29.  Eight people participated in the club.  Onigiri (rice balls) were served. I hope that they enjoyed the taste.  

Participant's Voice  Mark Crosby
Thank you for having me over to your oshaberi club yesterday evening. I had a very enjoyable time and found that the structure of the club very conducive to practicing my rusty Japanese. I hope to join as often as possible and hopefully will continue to join in future.







Next Oshaberi Club (Japanese Chat Club)
Place: Nami's Place
Date:  Saturday, July 27, 2013
Time: Door Open 7 pm- Door Close 10 pm 
Fee: $10  (including free drink and popcorn)
           Early bird fee - $7  (by Sat., July 20)



Kanji of the Month for July, 2013

今月の漢字(こんげつのかんじ)
7月

夏=なつ(Natsu) = Summer


Passwords for the Month of July, 2013

今月の合言葉(こんげつのあいこば
7月

せんせい (teacher):夏休(なつやす)みに なにをしますか。

せいと(student)◯◯◯と◯◯◯を します。

example )どくしょにほんごのべんきょうを します。

Please use your summer vacation plans as your passwords for the month. Watch the following video which helps you to make your summer vacation plans.




あいことば(Aikotoba/passwords) is a magical phrase (like "open sesame") to open the Japanese language classroom's door.

    

先生(せんせい)       生徒(せいと)


                               こんにちは。           こんにちは。xxxxxです。       

あいことば は なんですか。               xxxxxxxx

                                   どうぞ。

Monday, June 24, 2013

Tanabata / Star Festival - July 7

七月七日は七夕です。
しちがつ なのか は たなばたです。

願い事を短冊に書いて 笹に飾りましょう。
ねがいごとを たんざくにかいて ささにかざりましょう。

July 7 is Tanabata which means Star Festival. Let's write your wish on the paper strips and hang them on the bamboo.

しちがつなのか-July 7 たなばた-Star Festival ねがいごと-wish  たんざく-paper strips


あなたのねがいごとは なんですか。
What is your wish?

I wish to improve my Japanese.
I wish to pass my exams.
I wish to get better grades.
I wish to be an English teacher.
I wish to be a lawyer.
I wish to be a medical doctor.
I wish I always will be happy.
I wish that my family will be happy.
I wish I will have a wonderful summer.
I wish I could lose weight.
I wish to have a girlfriend.
I wish to have a boyfriend.
I wish to marry.
I wish I will live long.
I wish for world peace.
I wish my dream will come true.
I wish the weather will be good on the evening of July 7.

Saturday, June 8, 2013

Song of the Month for June, 2013


今月の歌(こんげつのうた)
6がつ

Friday, June 7, 2013

Oshaberi Club - June 29, 2013

 Japanese Language & Culture Meetup Group

Oshaberi Club (おしゃべりクラブ)  is in this month!

What is the meaning of Oshaberi?
Oshaberi means “Chat” in Japanese. 

Participants will be able to enjoy using Japanese language and experiencing Japanese culture. This is also a great opportunity for you to expand your Japanese network in St. John’s.

Photos from the previous Oshaberi Club  (click each month)
2013 
Jan.
2012
Nov.   
2011
July   June  May      


Place: Nami's Place
Date:  Saturday, June 29, 2013
Time: Door Open 7 pm- Door Close 10 pm 
Fee: $10  (including free drink and popcorn)
           Early bird fee - $7  (by Sat., June 22)



Sunday, June 2, 2013

Kanji of the Month for June, 2013

あめ=Rain


Passwords for the Month of June, 2013

今月の合言葉(こんげつのあいこば)





あいことば(Aikotoba/passwords) is a magical phrase (like "open sesame") to open the Japanese language classroom's door.

    

先生(せんせい)       生徒(せいと)


                               こんにちは。           こんにちは。xxxxxです。       

あいことば は なんですか。               xxxxxxxx

                                   どうぞ。

Friday, May 3, 2013

Oshaberi Club

 Japanese Language & Culture Meetup Group

Oshaberi Club (おしゃべりクラブ)  is in this month!

What is the meaning of Oshaberi?
Oshaberi means “Chat” in Japanese. 

Participants will be able to enjoy using Japanese language and experiencing Japanese culture. This is also a great opportunity for you to expand your Japanese network in St. John’s.

Photos from the previous Oshaberi Club  (click each month)
2013 
Jan.
2012
Nov.   
2011
July   June  May      


Place: Nami's Place
Date:  Saturday, May. 25, 2013
Time: Door Open 7 pm- Door Close 10 pm 
Fee: $10  (including free drink and popcorn)
           Early bird fee - $7  (by Sat., May 18)



Wednesday, May 1, 2013

Kanji of the Month for May, 2013

今月の漢字(こんげつのかんじ)
5月


みどり(Midori) - Green