Christmas Camp in Yame

On December 24, I went Christmas camping to Yame with 15 Tasmanian students
and Alex san. We took train from Fukuoka station to Kurume,then we went to Joyo-cho,Yame
by Ground Work car. The first activity was "Sobauchi"experience in "Furusato Warabekan"
We divided into 3-groups and cooked Soba(buckwheat noodles) It was tasty!!
After that we made " Kami-koputa"(paper-helicopter), on which we wrote our

wish, and flew them. May all our wishes come true!! Next was Green Tea experience in
"Hotaru-Ishibashino yakata" We learned how to make good tea and drank together.
And then we went to Hoshinomura, and visited "Heiwanotoo". And finally Hot Spring which everyone looks forward. Girls seemed to be satisfied with outside hotspring. On the way to "Kawaguchitei" where we stayed, we did shopping and we cooked curry and rice and salad for dinner. After dinner we did some game and spread Futon. It was all for the 1st day.
On the next day we experienced making "Kadomatsu"(a pair of auspicious pine and bamboo decorations placed in front of a house during the New Year period) We brought the Kadomatsu back to our school.

It was really cold but was very much fun two days!!

Photos >>>>

Asahi Nihongo Student meets Ritter School Student

It had been amazing 10 days for our Ritter School student Takayukisan. During Christmas time he went to Germany and visited many famous cities like, Cologne, Frankfurt, Dresden, Nurneberg, Leipzig and Rothenburg. He was impressed by all these nice christmas markets and enjoyed sightseeing. Afterwards he decided to meet Peter from Austria. Peter was our Asahi Nihongo student this year during summer time. He and Takayukisan met each other the first time at our School. They often enjoyed dinner or party together in Fukuoka and now Peter had the chance to show him the Nightlife in Innsbruck, Austria. As a souvenir from Peter, our school received a nice video message for our teacher and staff, of course in Japanese. Thank you Peter for your message and thanks also to Takayukisan for your souvenir in Fukuoka. We wish you a happy new year.Hopefully you guys can meet each other next year in Fukuoka again^o^

We truly care about our students!

The board members of Asahi Nihongo and WAHAHA Japanese Language School had a special meeting to discuss the cooperation of our two institutions. Both schools concentrate on the quality of lessons as we believe our schools represent the true spirits of Japan. This is not just pure business, but giving our students a helping hand and giving them a sense of enjoyment.
As a result of high quality and efficient lessons; many of our students are not only coming once a year, but more than twice. We are happy to work with other professional Japanese language schools together.

I am looking forward to happily help our students for as much as possible.

Alexander Binner

The ground floor is being counted in Japan

Yesterday I went to visit a traditional Japanese public bathhouse. You know, we Germans really like to study the customs of other cultures. My Japanese friends had warned me not to go there alone, since it might be "chotto" difficult not to make a mistake, but I preferred to make a firsthand experience. Who would need a tour guide for such a simple thing like taking a bath ??

Well, when I entered the bathhouse, it was quite easy, you just remove your shoes at the place where you always remove your shoes and put them into the shoe locker. And after having paid the admission fee (on my own and without any assistance) I heard the attendant tell me it was "ikkai". Well, this was also easy, since ikkai means "first floor". I was wondering a little why the curtain was red before I went to the staircase, but I entered anyway and went upstairs. After two or three steps I saw some women coming down looking a little strange at me, but then I thought that they had gone in the wrong direction. Anybody can make a mistake, can t she?

But hardly 5 seconds later the manager came after me telling me I was wrong and showed me the right direction ... ... I was about to go into the women s section of the bath. While I was nearly as red as the curtain I had just parted I went through the men s section s blue curtain on the the ground floor. How embarrassing ... ...

But there was no fault on my side, I had been given wrong directions by a bad attendant, I thought. Only later did I learn from my Japanese friends that contrary to German habit in Japan the ground floor is being counted. So I was actually wrong since "ikkai" means ground floor in Japanese. How embarrassing ... ...

But everything is okay because on this occasion I learned a new word from my japanese friends: "HAZUKASHIIIIII ..."

Mountain tour on Saturday

Do you want to see the first sunrise of the new year? Then join our Mountain Tour on Saturday. Early in the morning we`ll pick you up at your accommodation and climb up the Mt. Mikazuki Take advantage of the wonderful view of the Fukuoka area and take many photos. After breakfast we`ll leave for Sasaguri a beautiful area where you can see lots of temples and shrines. Enjoy delicious lunch there and have a nice start in the new year!!!

Date: January 1th (Sat)
Time: 5:30-14:00
Fee: 6000Yen (all included)

2010 has been a great year!

Thank you very much to all of the students for coming to Japan and to the staff for their great work effort. Also my thanks to our host families for their utmost welcome and patience.

Last but not least to our internship companies for their cooperation with Japanese and Internship School Asahi Nihongo.

Thank you very much and wish you all the best!!!

Alexander Binner

(CEO)

Click here for the best moments of 2010

How to get a mobile phone in Fukuoka

Getting your own mobile phone or your own phone number.

Many students of Asahi Nihongo ask us how to get a mobile phone or how to using their own phone with a Japanese phone number. Unfortunately, you cannot get a monthly service contract with a Japanese provider unless you will live in Japan for at least two years.

However, you have two other options for mobile service:
1. Buy mobile phone with prepaid card
2. Use your own phone with Japanese SIM Card

In either case, you will need your passport, current address in Japan, and some contact information (e.g. school phone number and address).
The standard mobile phone in Japan is 3G. In case you are not sure about your phone, you should go to your local Softbank branch and the staff will check it out.

Also visit these websites:
http://www.softbank-rental.jp/en/phones/

1. Buy mobile phone with prepaid card

With choice one, you can go to your local Softbank and purchase a phone with a prepaid card. The initial phone and card purchase price ranges from 5,000 yen to over 10, 000 yen. Usually all incoming calls and mails are free. Call cards are available from 3000 yen.

Outgoing rates are as follows:

Purchase price for the mobil phone: 7500-10 000 Yen
Price for renting the prepaid simcard: 3000 Yen Miete (20 min free of charge, after that you have top paty about 100 yen a minute)
Total: around 10500 Yen for the first month and than 3000-5000 Yen per month

2. Use your own phone with Japanese SIM Card

With the second choice, if you have an iphone or a 3G phone you can purchase a sim card (approx. 3500 yen) with a rented Japanese phone number for (105\/day). Once again, all incoming calls and text are free. This SIM card is only at the Fukuoka Airport available.
You have your own phone and it is the best choice for very short stay in Japan.

Outgoing rates are as follows for the Airport Softbank Simcard:

Price for renting the prepaid simcard: 105 Yen per day
Price per minute: 105 Yen
Total: 3000 Yen + Phone calls

Beautiful castle

Do you know Kokura castle? It's a very beautiful castle located in Kitakyushu, constructed in 1602 by the Hosokawa family. I read a lot of the Hosokawa family's history, so I was proud to guide my Japanese friends with their children from Tokyo. And I showed them a lot of the "kireina oshiri". But for some reason their children always laughed when I said castle in Japanese. What was wrong with it? Oh no, I confused oshiri (backside) and oshiro (castle). How embarrassing^o^. That's why everybody laughed...

Have you ever talk to Japanese politicians? This is your chance!

There will be an international information exchange event holding by Fukuoka prefecture assembly on 17th of January 2011.
This is your chance to meet with Japanese politicians and exchange your opinions!
Please register if you are keen to join!

Outline
********************************************************************
Date......:17th January 2011
Time.....:17:30-19:30
Place.....:New Otani Hotel, Address 1-1-2 Watanabe-douri Chuo-ku fukuoka
Tel.........:092-714-1111

TV interview at Asahi Nihongo

On 21st of December, I had a TV interview about my internship experience at Asahi nihongo.

Since my internship program is supported by government, Jwave, one of the temp agencies that have been delegated this program offered me to take an interview.

It was all about my experience in Asahi Nihongo and how I have changed through out my internship.

They also filmed while I was working at the front desk so our beautifully decorated Christmas tree has to move away from the desk as the TV show will be on after Christmas. Poor Christmas tree:(

I was very nervous while my interview but also it was good experience to find out how they make TV interview.

Check this out, this interview will be shown on 15th of January from11:25a.m!

Amazing Christmas Party at Asahi Nihongo

Last Friday there was held our annual Christmas party at Asahi Nihongo School. Students from Tasmania, German and English students came together and enjoyed the cozy atmosphere there. Morris our English teacher showed us a great Salsa performance involving teachers and students from Asahi Nihongo. And Patrick, our student from Germany, performed a backflip. We had a great time, thank you guys, that was amazing!!
Thanks also to Sandra and the students from our sister School Ritter. Before party time they gathered to participate in a German cookies course. Sandra, our German teacher showed her students how to make original Christmas cookies from Germany. Only for our Christmas party they made the delicious cookies. So students and staff got involved in the party preparation. Thanks everybody for joinig our party!! And hopefully see you next year again!!! Merry Christmas^0^

About Integration in Japan

Last weekend I met Hans from Germany. He lives in Fukuoka for 17 years and got married here 10 years ago. So I guessed he' s well integrated in Japan, because he speaks fluent Japanese and he knows all the customs and tradition. But he told me that he sometimes feels like an typical gaijin who can't eat with chopsticks. For 10 years he used to go to the same convenience store with always the same staff. But he always receives a knife and a folk when he buys food. When his wife cooks the meal she gives everybody chopsticks except Hans, although I told her that I want to eat like a Japanese. That's soooo frustrating 0^0

Christmas party on Friday!!!

The Christmas period is the most coziest time in the year. So don't miss the chance to celebrate with us the Asahi Nihongo's Christmas party on Friday. Have some delicious Christmas food, sing Christmas songs and watch a Salsa performance. Before the party you have the chance to participate in an original Geman Cookies Course. Learn how to bake cookies and enjoy the Christmas atmosphere with us!! See you on Friday!!!

German Cookies Course
************************
Date: 17th December (Fri)
Time: 13:00-16:30
Place: Airebu (Tenjin)
Fee: 1500 Yen

Christmas Party
***********************
Date: 17th December (Fri)
Time: 18:00-20:00
Place: Asahi Nihongo School (3rd Floor)
Fee: 1000 Yen (all included)

Yoshiko Fukuzawa from Kyushu-Gaigo-Collage

初めまして、こんにちは。　九州外語専門学校から研修に来ております福澤　佳子です。18日間の短期間ではありますが、ここでしか学べないことを日々沢山学ぶ機会を頂いております。　日々の仕事は主に学校のホームページの英語から日本語への翻訳、コース案内のプログラム作成そして海外の留学生からの良くある質問にすばやく答える為の紙面での案内作成です。　それに加えて、留学生の日本語学習を助けたり、課外活動や生活の手助けをしております。短い期間ですが、気軽に声をかけてください。
Hello, Nice to meet you. I am Yoshiko Fukuzawa from Kyushu-Gaigo-Collage as internship. In the short term 18 days (Nov, 29th-Dec, 22nd) here, I have gotten the opportunity that I can learn at only here everyday. Daily main works are translation from English to Japanese on the website of this school and creating some paper guides for quick answers for frequently asked questions from international students to create programs and course information. In addition, I am helping overseas students to learn Japanese, to get used to live in Japan. Please feel free to talk with me in this short term opotunity. ;)

Japanese Festivals & Language Course

Come and join us for the most exciting, interesting, and educational Japanese course and learn about the Yamakasa festival!Hakata Gion Yamakasa is one of the most exciting and important events in Hakata. Several beautiful Kazariyamas (decorative portable shrines and floats) are built and displayed in several parts of the city for a two week period. It's said that the origin of this festival is attributed to a ritual to stop a bad plague from spreading through Hakata in 1241. The highlight of the festival kicks off at exactly 4:59 AM on July 15th when thousands of men from seven districts race through the streets carrying decorative, one-ton floats. In this contest, men compete on the time taken to race along a 5 km course, either more or less than 30 minutes. Although speed is important, they are also required to maintain a graceful and heroic style as they run carrying the floats on their shoulders. Come join the fun!

Japanese Festivals & Language Course

Date: July 4th (Mon)- July 29th (Fri)
Fee: 139.000 Yen (including Japanese Classes, BBQ Party,
Welcome Party, Sayonara Party, Yame, Yamakasa, Fireworks, Yukata Lessons, Marine Sports and a Lunch Box on the first day)
Level: All Japanese levels


Schedule:

July 4th: Greetings, level check, class information, Fukuoka
guiding tour
July 8th: Yukata Lessons and Welcome Party
July 15th: Yamakasa, Festival in Yame (overnight)
July 17th: Pantai Bagus BBQ Party
July 24th: Marine Sports

Great Support for Asahi Nihongo

We are very happy to introduce to you our interns from Kyushu Gaigo College. As a part of their education they are doing an Internship here to practice Business English. With great enthusiasm, they are supporting us for the next few weeks in different areas like teaching Japanese, creating flyers and event preparations for next year. Especially at this time we are very busy with many students. So thank you very much for your support, we are lucky to have you!!!

Beginner in Japanese? You TOO Can Have a Great Internship Experience!

Today, I sat down with Philip Schwerdfeger at Kyushu Gaigo College. Philip has had a unique and fast paced course in Japanese living, home, and business culture. Philip, a recent high school graduate from Berlin, Germany, had a one week course in Germany and a three month course here at Asahi Nihongo. He passed his Japanese interview with flying colors, landing his current one month internship.

Asahi: What is the company’s main focus?

Philip: Well, it’s a college, but not a normal college. They make the employees of tomorrow with specific English courses. The people that finish these courses can continue to careers as an English teacher, commodities trader, etc.

Asahi: What tasks do you do?

Philip: I have mainly two tasks. I join in with classes for English which shows the other side of teaching. The other task is in the office making spreadsheets with many new kanji.

Asahi: Is there a special technique?

Philip: I only need to make my boss laugh and then everything’s OK. As long as my boss is not mad at me, then everything’s OK. That is my special technique.

Asahi: What are your future plans?

Philip: It’s a nice experience to be here, because in Germany I had a one week course. Then, I came here and studied, and that was a whole different Japanese. Now, I am outside the school in an office, and it is another experience in the language. It is totally crazy and different. It really helps you figure out if Japanese is for you in your future.

Asahi: Any suggestions to people who wish to intern in Japan?

Philip: They should just do it and try it out. Even though I’m a bit lazy about speaking Japanese, cause they speak English here. But through our communication, I still get an understanding of daily life in a Japanese company. So just do it. And everyone should try to get the internship here at Kyushu Gaigo College!

Aso Tour on Saturday

Let's go to Mount Aso! Mt. Aso is the an active volcano in Japan and is among the largest in the world. Aso-san is ca.1592m above the sea level and located in the Aso National park in the Kumamoto prefecture. Come and enjoy the beautiful autumn season there and take advantage of the nice landscape in the mountainous area. Afterwards have a warm bath in the Kurokawa Onsen, a hot spring, we promise, you'll enjoy it!

Outline
****************************
Date: 11th December (Sat)
Time: 7am- 8pm
Fee: 8000 Yen
Participants: max. 7 people

Schedule:
***************************
07:00 Meeting in front of School
09:30 Hiking Aso
11:30 Leave Aso for Lunch
12:30 Lunch
15:00 Onsen in Kurokawa
17:30 Leave for Fukuoka
20:00 Arrive in Fukuoka

Blog: http://bit.ly/ccXMYN
Photos: http://bit.ly/dbbV8R

Embarrassing Japanese!!!

Last week I had my first job interview at a school as a German teacher. They introduced me their teaching method and asked me to do a trial lesson in front of the interviewer, so I met my first student. We talked about adjectives and my student asked me what's the meaning of cold. And I answered it was the "hentai" (opposite) of hot. Suddenly everybody seemed very shocked and laughed. I blushed and felt that I said something stupid....yes I did. I confused the words hantai (opposite) and hentai (gay). Oh no, how embarrassing!!!! But finally I got the job^0^

Aki Okawauchi from Asahi Nihongo school

Hello I'm Aki Okawauchi and I'm working at Asahi Nihongo school under internship program.
I am very excited to work here meeting a lot of new people, also I would like to experience as much as I can for 2 months.
I went to study abroad in Adelaide, Australia for 10 months when I was in high school. I loved study English and my dream was to be able to speak fluent English.
After graduating from high school I went back to Australia again to study at university.
My major was Hotel Management and Tourism. I also have experience working at Hotel as a team leader of VIP lounge. Staying in Australia was a great experience and Australia is kind of my second home town for me now.
I used to be a oversea student myself and a lot of people helped me when I was in Australia so this time, I am very happy to support oversea student in Japan for their needs. Also I wish Fukuoka will be your second home town while your stay in Fukuoka.
Again, I am very excited to meet new people while my internship with Asahi Nihongo school so please talk to me when I am around.

Willi´s surprise from Germany

The relationship between students and teachers is very special at the Asahi Nihongo and it happens quite often, that the students keep in contact with our school even when they are back at their country. Because of that, we receive several postcards and letters from all over the world! This year, one of our most popular teachers got a real big package which traveled very far- it came from Willi in Germany! First, Mayasensei didn´t want to open the package before Christmas- but then, she was too curious! So she opened it and found three presents and a chocolate- santa! Maya was very surprised, happy and also a little bit curious. So she opened only one present to find out what´s inside- and there was a special German sweet called "Lebkuchen"! We tried one and it was very, very delicious! Thank you, Willi, for sending us real Christmas- feelings to Japan!

Asahi Nihongo is in the Guiness book of records.

Good job!!

Manga Course

Let’s draw manga with a professional Japanese manga artist! The instructor will introduce you to the special world of manga culture. Manga and animation has become a special part of Japanese culture. Learn their best tricks for difficult parts from a professional, like how to draw the head, eyes, hair, ears and nose. Before the course starts you can send your instructor an email and ask for information about course preparation, advice etc. Then, feel like a real anime character and get a professional mask by a make up artist. Afterwards let’s put on cosplay costumes and go for an anime song contest at karaoke!!!

Manga Course
Period
Lesson 2011/4/25 (Mon) – 2011/5/6 (Fri)
09:00-10:30 and 10:45-12:15
20 lessons
Place Asahi Nihongo
Level All Japanese levels
Fee 18.000 Yen
Includes 5 manga lessons, Fukuoka guiding tour, welcome party, sayonara party, certificate, lunch box on the first day

Schedule
4/25 Greetings, level check, class information, fukuoka guiding tour, welcome party
4/26-4/28 Manga Lesson
4/27 Cosplay & Karaoke
4/29 Marine Sports
5/2 Manga lessons
5/3 Dontaku festival (parade)
5/4 Eating lunch with Manga students
5/5 Nakanoshima Beach
5/6 Manga lesson
*Schedule (only the days) may be changed*

Learn Japanese for free

Learn Japanese for free and join the Fukuoka Japanese Club!! Every Saturday the lessons will be held at the Japanese and Internship School Asahi Nihongo by voluntary teachers. The main goal is to equip participants with the necessary language skills, so they can manage real life situations such as shopping, requests, location information or assistance in emergencies. The class size is very small (1-3 students) so each participant receives maximum attention. Take the chance and join it!!

Place: Japanese School Asahi Nihongo
Date: every Saturday
Time: 15:00
Levels: Beginner to Advanced
Age: from primary school children to adults
Class Size: 1-3 students per class
Learning materials: Copies and all the necessary course materials for the class will be free

To apply for the free Japanese lesson please check the website:
www.fukuoka-japanese-club.weebly.com

Disoriented direction

Getting oriented in Fukuoka is sometimes difficult. Since 1 year ago I have been living here, and I actually know the town very well. But today, I was in the Tenjin Underground Shopping Center and I wanted to go to the Asahi Nihongo School, so I went to the next map to find the most convenient exit. That confused me a lot. The map directed me in exactly the other direction, and I followed the information. When I arrived at the other end of Showa Street toward the Hakata area I recognized I was wrong! What the hell happened? When I saw the map the second time, I realized the directions were disoriented. The north was not at the top of the map but the bottom! That means, I didn't go to the north but to the south.