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Japanese Language Scholarship Foundation, aka Aurora Foundation, is currently accepting applications for the year 2011 scholarship.

The application form can be downloaded at www.jlsf-aurora.org.

Japanese Language Scholarship

The Aurora Japanese Language Scholarship Foundation (JLSF) is currently accepting applications for the year 2011 scholarships.

JLSF was established in 1998 to encourage teachers of the Japanese language as well as to generate international cultural exchange.

These awards will enable the awardees to carry out a project of their choice in Japan. Each awardees will receive a $3,000 scholarship and roundtrip air tickets from the USA to Japan (coach class).

The project can be anything that would enhance the quality of the awardee's teaching.

Applicants are encouraged to propose any projects they would like to carry out but are currently unable to because of the lack of funding.

Types of projects awardees may choose are unlimited! For example, projects may include:

Studying Japanese at a pre-existing program, such as the Japan Foundation Japanese-Language Institute, or the Hokkaido International Foundation

Traveling around the country to gather authentic materials for teaching purposes, including taking photographs and making films;

Visiting a school(s) in Japan to learn more about their education system

Volunteering at Japanese non-profit organizations to learn differences and similarities in how different cultures operate in a working environment

Experiencing Japanese New Year's with a host family and write up the experience on a web page.

After their Japan trip, scholarship awardees will be required to submit reports to the JLSF about their experiences in Japan.

Each awardee will also have the (optional) opportunity to attend the annual ATJ Conference to address the conference about their scholarship experience in Japan.

Qualifications

Non-native Japanese speaker / non-heritage Japanese speaker

AND

In-Service Japanese language teacher in any school level; OR

Graduate student studying Japanese language education who is committed to becoming a Japanese language teacher in the USA; OR

Pre-service Japanese language teacher currently studying to obtain a teaching credential for teaching Japanese.

Must be available for an oral interview in person or by phone.

Must be able to attend the award ceremony to be held in the Autumn of 2011 in Los Angeles (date to be announced). (Limited travel expenses and accommodations may be covered by JLSF as needed.)

Required Applications Documents

Completed application form

Current resume/biography

Official college transcript sent directly from the college to the JLSF

Photograph of applicant (optional)

Two letters of reference A typed letter no longer than 3 pages on 8-1/2" x 11" (double spaced, font size 10pt or 12pt) that describes the potential scholarship recipient and proposed project. The letter should include the applicant's background, goals, current activities, commitment to Japanese language education, a detailed description of their proposed activity in Japan, and a proposed budget (excluding airfare between the U.S. and Japan).

Deadline and Submission

All applications must be mailed on or before January 21, 2011 to:

JLSF Scholarship Application Submission

3127 Nichols Canyon Road

Los Angeles, CA 90046

Judging Criteria

Applications will be judged by the JLSF selection committee and the JLSF Board of Directors, according to the following criteria:

long term commitment to Japanese language education

teaching experience and training background, i.e. methodology courses, workshops, seminars, and conference participation

usefulness and appropriateness of the project

design and feasibility of the project within the budget

applicability of the project results to teaching

Up to two winners will be selected, depending on application volume and quality of applications, from anywhere in the USA. Selection will be announced by February 28, 2011.

Entries, including photographs, will not be critiqued or returned. From the time of submission, all entries are the property of the JLSF.