(To read this information in Japanese, please download this PDF)

This Seminar will be organised by the British Association for Teaching Japanese as a Foreign Language and the Japan Foundation, London. Each year, we use these seminars as an opportunity to explore practical, every-day themes that apply to both younger and older learners, studying at all types of educational institutions. We invite educators at the forefront of their fields to provide a novel and exciting learning opportunity.

This time, we have invited Professor IMAI Mutsumi, author of one of the best-selling books of 2023 in Japan - “Nature of Language: How Language was born and has evolved.” We believe that as A.I. evolves, there will be those who are experiencing increasing opportunities to re-think what it means to learn a language. What are the differences between A.I. and people? How did language come to be and systemise? What are the fundamental characteristics of language? Professor Imai will discuss all these themes using onomatopoeia as a starting point.

We look forward to receiving your applications.

Event Outline

• Date/Time: 4th February 2024 (Sunday), 10:00 to 12:00 GMT
• Theme: Nature of Language: How language was born and has evolved.
• Speaker: Professor IMAI Mutsumi (Faculty of Environment and Information Studies,
  Keio University)
• Target audience: Japanese language educators and post-graduate university students specialising in Japanese language education who are based in the United Kingdom and Europe. (Applications from those in other regions will also be accepted if places are available)
• Maximum number of participants: 80
• Location: Online seminar using Zoom software
• Spoken language: Japanese
• Cost of seminar/applications: BATJ member £5  / BATJ non-member £10
• Application deadline: 30th January 2024 (Tuesday), 12:00 GMT

* Once the number of places has been filled, applications will close.

Organisers: The British Association for Teaching Japanese as a Foreign Language and the Japan Foundation, London.

To apply, please follow the instructions on the BATJ website