JLfest 2024 | The 17th Annual Japanese Language Festival
KOBANASHI @ JLfest 2023
JLfest 2023 Special Feature
KOBANASHI will be featured extensively in JLfest 2023.
Whether you just wish to have a good laugh or want to know more about it or even wish to try your hand at it and take part in the competition, you are very much welcome to do so.
There is 1 competition, 3 workshops, and a session on JLfest Online Cafe related to KOBANASHI.. Check them out!
What's KOBANASHI?
KOBANASHI are short comical jokes that RAKUGO (Japanese sit-down comedy) storytellers tell to warm up the audience before they start telling the main story. Some of them can be as short as just 2 lines.
Why KOBANASHI?
It is short, simple, relatable and enjoyed by all. The same story can be told in different settings, with different characters and their relationship and in the unique style of the teller. These add richness to the story and enhances language creativity and the development of the characters found in the story. Thus, the audience is never bored hearing the jokes over and over again.
As word play and punchline are the essence of KOBANASHI, it is a fun and effective way of mastering the communication skills in Japanese, building self confidence in public speaking.
The Competition
WHO CAN JOIN
Anyone (including teachers and native speakers) may join this competition as long as you have registered as a JLfest 2023 participant. (If you have not, register here).
WHAT TO DO
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Make a video (not more than 1 minute) of you performing one of the 5 KOBANASHI stories.
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Add in an interesting self-introduction.
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Read the rules and regulations of the competition carefully and edit the video according to its requirement.,
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Complete the competition form and submit it together with the video link by the closing date.
CLOSING DATE
Wednesday, July 19, 2023 (12 noon) Malaysia Time (world clock).
The Workshops
WHO CAN JOIN
Only teachers who have registered as JLfest 2023 participants may join. (If you have not, register here).
CLOSING DATE
Download the Workshop Form here. Complete the Form and submit it by Wednesday, Apr 26, 2023 (12noon) Malaysia Time
WHO CAN JOIN
Anyone who has registered as JLfest 2023 participant may join. (If you have not, register here).
WORKSHOP FORM
Download the Workshop Form here. Complete the Form and submit it by Wednesday, May 10, 2023 (12noon) MalaysiaTime
WHO CAN JOIN
Anyone who has registered as JLfest 2023 participant may join. (If you have not, register here).
WORKSHOP FORM
Download the Workshop Shop here. Complete the Form and submit it by Wednesday, Jun 7, 2023 (12noon) Malaysia Time
We would like to express our deepest gratitude to the following sensei for their contribution, support, and advice in ensuring the success of this project.
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HATASA Kazumi sensei, Purdue University, US
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KAWASHIMA Makiko sensei, Charles University, Czech Republic
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OFUNE Chisato sensei, JF London
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FUJIMITSU Yuko sensei, JF Manila
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MORITA Mamoru sensei, JF Jakarta
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KONDO Maiko sensei, JF Bangkok
Special thanks to the KOBANASHI KOKUSAI GODO HAPPYOKAI, THE JAPAN FOUNDATION, LONDON, and LAUGHTER.COM