Happy New Year!

　１２月の最後の授業で学生から「先生、新年おめでとう」と言われることがあります。

でも、実はこれは正しくありません。

日本人は年末には「よいお年を」と、そして新しい年になってから「新年おめでとう」、「明けましておめでとう」などと言います。

　2011年もAOBAを応援してくれてどうもありがとう。来年も皆さんにとって幸せな一年になりますように心を込めて・・・「よいお年をお迎えください！」

During the last lessons in the month of December, students had wished our teachers [Sensei, Shin nen omedetou], which means [Happy New Year, Teacher]. However, the usage of the phrase is actually incorrect.

For the Japanese, a phrase [ Yoi otoshi wo] would be used at the end of the year to wish each other a good year ahead. At the start of the new year, phrases like [ Shin nen omedetou ] or [ Ake mashite omedetou ] would be more appropriate to wish each other a happy new year.

On this note, Aoba would like to thank you for the support you have provided in the year 2011 and we wish from the bottom of our hearts that you will lead a joyous year in 2012.

We hope that you will welcome a joyous and fruitful new year.

[ Yoi otoshi wo mukae kudasai ].

Merry Christmas!

As the festive season is just around the corner, on behalf of all the Aoba staff, Aoba Admin will like to wish each and every visitor of Aoba Chat a Merry Christmas.

Post JLPT 2011.

Sorry to all our frequent viewers of Aoba Chat for this long delayed post! >.<

Together with the rest the JLPT warriors, Aoba Admin is also fighting her battles with the weekly dosage of Japanese grammar/vocabulary tests. However, tough may these tests may, they are really good preparations for the JLPT.

Okay, back to the point.
How was the recent JLPT?
Eavesdropping from the students in Aoba for the past one week, the following are the top 3 comments about the test:

"I can't finish the paper! There're too many passages to clear!"

"Perhaps, we should consider redoing the test next year."

"Let's talk about it again after the results are released next year."

Was the year end JLPT that disheartening?
Share with us your views on it via our facebook page and Aoba Chat.

PS: Just a gentle reminder to those who intend to redo their JLPT, the next JLPT is in July 2012, perhaps starting the preparation early will be a move.

Till next post!

AFA11 - Anime Festival Asia

お待たせしました～
Sorry to keep you all waiting!
Hope you guys have been doing great!

To all anime fans, the annual anime festival will be in town between 11th to 13th November 2011 at Suntec Convention & Exhibiton Hall. Similar to the previous years, there are many events put in place by the organisers, from talkshow by anime illustrator to the regional cosplay championship. Of course, not to forget, they also have many anime screenings throughout the 3 days.

Okay, here comes the good news! Aoba will be holding a mini post-AFA11 contest. All you have to do is to share with us your AFA11 experience by posting on Aoba Language Centre facebook's wall and you will stand a chance to walk away with some Kinokuniya vouchers from us.

We understand that you may have some queries on how are we going to determine the winner(s) for this contest. For this time, we are going to keep it simple, the winner(s) will be determined by the number of 'likes' she has for her wall post. The deadline for this voting is at 2359hr on 20th November 2011.

In other words, everyone has a part to play in this contest!
We look forward to your active participation. =D

PS: A picture is worth a thousand words. =P

Aoba's Cultural Event Updates 2011/2012 (Tentatively)

23rd October 2011
- Onigiri Making Session [CONFIRMED!]

November 2011
- Bowling session

December 2011
- Dango Making Session

January 2012
- Shin Nen Kai (New Year Party)

March 2012
- Board Gaming Session

April 2012
- Aoba's School Tour ふたたび!!　XD

Do come to our events to get extra exposure to the Japanese Culture and Language~~ ^^

Sunshine Angel - Okinawa

A few days ago, a new Taiwan idol drama series (Sunshine Angel) was aired on a local channel. Unlike the usual Taiwan idol drama where most (if not all) of the scenes are taken in Taiwan/China, a fair bit of this drama was filmed in Okinawa, Japan. Furthermore, part of the drama is also in Japanese. Personally, I really enjoyed watching the drama as it often shows the culture and the scenic waters of Okinawa. Perhaps, these are not depicted in detail but it definitely has succeeded in making me a potential tourist of the sunny island.

If you come across any of such drama, feel free to share it with us! Well, we may not be able to fly to Japan immediately but at least we can be there virtually.

Aoba is proud to have a Touhoku Ambassador

One of our students, Miss Chue went on a trip to Sendai as a Touhoku Ambassador with 100 other students in an attempt to volunteer in the recovery efforts of the disaster stricken area.

For more information, please visit her blog.

There will also be an exhibition at ION on the 24th and 25th September. This exhibition will showcase the group's trip around the Touhoku regions and its current situation. Please attend if you have the time!! :D

Tanabata Festival （七夕祭り）

Have you heard of the Tanabata Festival (七夕祭り- Tanabata Matsuri) in Japan?

The most famous Tanabata Festival is held in Sendai in August every year. Similar to the many other festivals in Japan, there are many stalls and games along the streets where the festival is held.

At the Sendai Tanabata festival, people use seven different kinds of decorations which have different symbolic meanings to each of them.

1. Paper Kimono (Kamigoromo)

- To wish for improvement in sewing and artistic skills.

2. Paper Strips (Tazaku)

- To wish for improvement in studies and calligraphy.

3. Net (Toami)

- To wish for good fish harvest. The second meaning to it is to wish for good collection of fortune.

4. Streamers (Fukinagashi)

- To wish for improvement in handicrafts and weaving skills.

5. Trash Bag (Kuzukago)

- To wish for cleanliness and thrift.

6. Origami Cranes (Senbatsuru)

- To wish for longevity and health.

7. Purse (Kinchaku)

- To wish for wealth and flourishing business as well as thrift.

For more information, feel free to browse the link here. And if you are interested, make a trip down to Sendai next year and enjoy the festival!

JLPT 2011 (Year End)

Intend to take up the JLPT challenge end of this year?
Your chance is here! For those who are interested in challenging themselves, registration for the test will start in around 2 weeks. Click on this link here for more details!

Not sure about which level to register for?
Approach your respective senseis during breaktimes for some advice.

PS: A 2cent worth of advice from the hungry someone.
Try out some of the recent past JLPT papers before the actual test, it will definitely help you a great deal as you will have a better idea on what kind of questions to expect and how much time you should allocate for the various sections of the paper.

Spot the チューチュー ｢chuu chuu｣

Recently, Aoba adopted 2 mice. And they are somewhere in the school. Did you notice their existence?

If you are thinking that they are part of the adorable mouse species, you may be wrong. Or at least for me. At the first sight of them, I was really worried if I would suffer from some nightmares for the next few days.

Let us know if you have spotted both creatures. Who knows? You may be awarded with a slice of cheese. XD

Hint: The location of the mice is around the area where the school has the most food.

Note:

チューチュー ｢chuu chuu｣ is the sound made by mice.

New collections in the library!

We have added some new titles in our library today. Feel free to borrow them if you are keen. =)

Of course, do return them on time as well, so that the other students also have the chance to enjoy the dramas/concerts.

Cheers!