Dear Sensei

I have been Director of the Sydney Language Centre for over four and a half years since March 1997. I have thoroughly enjoyed my involvement with Japanese language education in Australia. The dedication and enthusiasm of Australians towards Japanese has been a major source of energy that I will continue to drive me in my future work. This will be one of the many special memories of Australia that I will take back with me to Japan. I think that students' enthusiasm for, and high proficiency in, Japanese is certainly due to the hard work of their Japanese teachers, and to the language policy and programs that Australia has. I think that Japan could learn much from these policies and programs.

On a personal note, my family and I have been very impressed with the Australian culture and its warm friendly people and we have had many wonderful experiences living here. I think that there will always be a part of my heart that remains in Australia, and I hope to return again one day.

I would like to express my sincere appreciation for the kind support and cooperation that you have shown to me, and the Sydney Language Centre, while I have been here. After my return to Japan, Ms Noriko Miyake will take over my responsibilities here with the title of Assistant Director. Ms Miyake will be overseen by Mr Koji Okamoto, Director of the Japan Cultural Centre, Sydney (The Japan Foundation).

I look forward to continuing to hear about Japanese language education in Australia after I return to Japan, and to reading each issue of 'Dear Sensei'! I wish you all the best and hope that we will be able to meet again in the future.

Nice to meet you!

My name is Noriko Miyake. I have been newly appointed as Assistant Director of the SLC. As a member of the Japan Foundation in Tokyo, I have always admired the tremendous effort and enthusiasm with which you work from day to day for the development of Japanese language education in Australia.
During my appointment, I look forward to meeting and sharing ideas with as many of you as possible.
みなさんにお会いできるのを楽しみにしております。どうぞよろしくお願いします。

Noriko Miyake; new Assistant Director of the Sydney Language Centre