LEX is happy to announce selection of the 2009-2010 LEX yearlong intern. Michael from Wisconsin 4-H has accepted the internship and will spend one year at the LEX Institute in Tokyo in the Transnational Exchange Division as an Assistant Exchange Program Coordinator.
Since 2005, Michael has been a 4-H International Assistant with the WI 4-H Youth Development office. He has studied abroad in Germany and Austria and will graduate from the University of Wisconsin-Madison this May with a degree in Marketing and International Business.
We are very excited to have Michael as the next intern and are confident his extensive experience in international exchange will be a great asset to him as he immerses himself in both Japanese and Hippo culture!!
If you know a college student who might be interested in the internship, please have them visit http://www.lexlrf.org/exchange/index.html to learn more. Applications for the 2010-11 internship will be due in mid-December 2009.
Monday, April 20, 2009
Friday, April 10, 2009
New Office
Greetings from my desk at 90 Sherman Street in Cambridge!!
On Sunday March 29th the movers arrived at 9AM sharp to relocate the contents of the offices from Belmont across the city line into Cambridge. Despite the rain that day, the movers had all of our things packed in the truck and safely unloaded into our new space in just less than 6 hours. We spent the first week of April arranging and rearranging until we found a permanent home for our desks, file cabinets, etc. and held our first language club in the new club room on Saturday April 4th.
For the most part the move went off without a hitch and we are now happily settled into our new space, excited to attract new members to the clubs from the surrounding neighborhoods.
Just in case you haven’t updated your address book yet, our new contact information is as follows:
LEX America
90 Sherman Street
Cambridge, MA 02140
Phone – 617.354.1140
Fax – 317.354.1150
Email – same
Be sure to stop by for a visit if you find yourself in the area!
On Sunday March 29th the movers arrived at 9AM sharp to relocate the contents of the offices from Belmont across the city line into Cambridge. Despite the rain that day, the movers had all of our things packed in the truck and safely unloaded into our new space in just less than 6 hours. We spent the first week of April arranging and rearranging until we found a permanent home for our desks, file cabinets, etc. and held our first language club in the new club room on Saturday April 4th.
For the most part the move went off without a hitch and we are now happily settled into our new space, excited to attract new members to the clubs from the surrounding neighborhoods.
Just in case you haven’t updated your address book yet, our new contact information is as follows:
LEX America
90 Sherman Street
Cambridge, MA 02140
Phone – 617.354.1140
Fax – 317.354.1150
Email – same
Be sure to stop by for a visit if you find yourself in the area!
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Half Way
The arrival of March marks my halfway point through my Year-Long stay in Japan. In the past six months I have made more language discoveries than I am even aware of. Japanese, Thai, and Korean have started sneaking their way into my dreams at night and are invading my thoughts throughout the day. It's a transformation that I didn't consiously make but one that comes with the nature of being in this language rich environment I call home.
In the past 6 months I have had countless opportunities to meet people from all over the world and all over Japan. Recently I gave a presentation at an elementary school where students from Thailand, Korea, and England participated in our activity. At the end of the school visit, the guy from Korea came up to me and asked "nan nen gurai nihon ni imasuka?" "how many years have you lived in Japan?" Although it is a fairly simple question, I was thrilled at the way it was worded. At the time he asked me that, I had been in Japan for only 5 months and the shock on his face after I told him was priceless. It came as a huge sense of accomplishment but at the same time, made me honestly think about the current state of my Japanese skills.
Of course, Japanese doesn't come out of my mouth nearly as fast as English does. There are some days when I want to speak, the words just don't come out and on other days the frustration of having no choice but to communicate in Japanese keeps me from speaking. But just like the vibrations of sound, the use of language also has its own turbulent waves that are most dramatically experienced when placed in a new language environment. However, I am so lucky to have a truly wonderful support system of people of all ages and backgrounds who help me out everyday. Even when I can't make full sentences correctly or pronounce something completely wrong, the people around me continue to encourage me not by correcting my mistakes, but by nurturing discoveries. After all, the ability to speak a language does not come from one’s inner efforts alone, but mostly from the constant interaction with the people around us.
In the past 6 months I have had countless opportunities to meet people from all over the world and all over Japan. Recently I gave a presentation at an elementary school where students from Thailand, Korea, and England participated in our activity. At the end of the school visit, the guy from Korea came up to me and asked "nan nen gurai nihon ni imasuka?" "how many years have you lived in Japan?" Although it is a fairly simple question, I was thrilled at the way it was worded. At the time he asked me that, I had been in Japan for only 5 months and the shock on his face after I told him was priceless. It came as a huge sense of accomplishment but at the same time, made me honestly think about the current state of my Japanese skills.
Of course, Japanese doesn't come out of my mouth nearly as fast as English does. There are some days when I want to speak, the words just don't come out and on other days the frustration of having no choice but to communicate in Japanese keeps me from speaking. But just like the vibrations of sound, the use of language also has its own turbulent waves that are most dramatically experienced when placed in a new language environment. However, I am so lucky to have a truly wonderful support system of people of all ages and backgrounds who help me out everyday. Even when I can't make full sentences correctly or pronounce something completely wrong, the people around me continue to encourage me not by correcting my mistakes, but by nurturing discoveries. After all, the ability to speak a language does not come from one’s inner efforts alone, but mostly from the constant interaction with the people around us.
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
LEX America is Moving!!
After 19 years in Belmont, LEX America has decided to relocate to a new office and club space in Cambridge when our current lease expires this spring. During the past few years, Elizabeth has been seeking out a more economical space that is accessible to a wider audience. The challenge has been finding a new location with parking that is convenient for our current members.
Well, we’re happy to announce that we managed to find new space that meets all of our requirements – it’s economical, in a better location, has ample parking, and is convenient for our current members.
We will be making the move to 90 Sherman Street in Cambridge on April 1st. More details to follow as the moving date approaches.
Well, we’re happy to announce that we managed to find new space that meets all of our requirements – it’s economical, in a better location, has ample parking, and is convenient for our current members.
We will be making the move to 90 Sherman Street in Cambridge on April 1st. More details to follow as the moving date approaches.
Monday, February 23, 2009
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Chad Nilep
Next month, Chad Nilep, a linguist at the University of Colorado, will be visiting Boston for three weeks to participate in LEX Language Project clubs. Chad is a recipient of the National Science Foundation Doctoral Dissertation Research Improvement grant for his dissertation project, "Hippo Family Club Language Learners in Japan and the USA."
Chad’s initial interest in the LEX activities began when he was a member of a LEX club while living in Osaka. While in Boston next month, Chad will be interviewing both new and experienced club members for his research.
The project is an ethnographic analysis of Hippo Family Club, an international foreign-language learning group. Using discourse analysis and fieldwork in Japan and the USA, Nilep will explore issues of identity in these unusual communities, which are defined by a shared dedication to multilingualism. (taken from the University of Colorado website)
Chad’s initial interest in the LEX activities began when he was a member of a LEX club while living in Osaka. While in Boston next month, Chad will be interviewing both new and experienced club members for his research.
Thursday, January 15, 2009
World Language Club
Last week the new afterschool programs in Somerville got off to a fantastic start! The children were great participants and are very excited to experiment with multiple languages.
The clubs are composed of children with a variety of language backgrounds – Spanish, Portuguese, German, Hindi and Punjabi. Other than one student who whispered in my ear “We don’t have to speak our own language, right?” they have been very eager to share their heritage languages with other members of the group. While throwing a ball around and saying “My name is” in the basic seven languages, one student yelled out “I want to say it in MY language!” and so we did. : )
Hearing this made me think of my close friends who are American and Canadian, but have parents who speak Chinese, Portuguese, Hindi and Sinhalese. During childhood, their parents decided to primarily use English and now as adults, each of them has a grandparent with whom they cannot communicate due to a language barrier.
With the stories of frustration I've heard from my friends in mind, it is an extra special treat to have the opportunity to work with these students and encourage the use of their heritage languages. As for the girl who is shy for now, it is my personal goal to help her develop an appreciation for her language and confidence in sharing it with others… I will be sure to keep you updated on how I do!
The clubs are composed of children with a variety of language backgrounds – Spanish, Portuguese, German, Hindi and Punjabi. Other than one student who whispered in my ear “We don’t have to speak our own language, right?” they have been very eager to share their heritage languages with other members of the group. While throwing a ball around and saying “My name is” in the basic seven languages, one student yelled out “I want to say it in MY language!” and so we did. : )
Hearing this made me think of my close friends who are American and Canadian, but have parents who speak Chinese, Portuguese, Hindi and Sinhalese. During childhood, their parents decided to primarily use English and now as adults, each of them has a grandparent with whom they cannot communicate due to a language barrier.
With the stories of frustration I've heard from my friends in mind, it is an extra special treat to have the opportunity to work with these students and encourage the use of their heritage languages. As for the girl who is shy for now, it is my personal goal to help her develop an appreciation for her language and confidence in sharing it with others… I will be sure to keep you updated on how I do!
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