The Language Teacher
April 1999

A Chapter in Your Life

edited by joyce cunningham & miyao mariko

This column is dedicated to the many exciting chapters that make up JALT. The co-editors encourage 900-950 word reports (in English, Japanese or a combination of both) that describe challenges, solutions, and experiences in keeping your chapter active. This month, Leo Yoffe and Shibayama Morijiro introduce the Gunma Chapter and cordially invite you to attend the JALT99 Conference (October 8-11) in Maebashi-shi, Gunma.

Gunma Chapter Welcomes You to JALT99

JALT99 in Maebashi? Where on earth is that? At this point, most of the esteemed JALT98 participants could proffer their educated guesses as to the whereabouts of Maebashi, or failing that, Gunma. Most opinions would probably be actually pretty accurate if we accept that New York City is in the American Midwest, give or take a few hundred miles. For the uninitiated, Gunma is smack in the middle of Japan. Incidentally, there is a city in this prefecture, which is affectionately referred to as the "belly button of Japan" for this very reason. Among other goodies that Gunma offers, one which you would remember most fondly in the unlikely event of a government scandal, is that Gunma has generated more modern prime-ministers than any other prefecture. Our "local production," so to speak.

Just an hour from Tokyo by Shinkansen or car, it is actually hard to understand why Gunma hasn't been chosen as a site by the national committee before. The twin cities of Maebashi and Takasaki offer plenty: good conference facilities, abundance of nature, and most importantly, varied nightlife. So, all of us at Gunma-JALT are very excited about this chance to show off a gem of a prefecture.

Maebashi - a city of "water, trees and poems" - is special in more ways than one. Historically, the city, which was called the "Nara of the Kanto Provinces," was one of the important strategic points, where the warlords divided the turf, in the Age of Civil Wars (1467 to 1603). During the Edo period, it flourished as a castle town and became famous as the city of raw silk from which the Silk Road of Japan started. Those coming to JALT99 will not go away disappointed. In the vicinity of the Green Dome, the site of the Conference, October 8-11, you will find Shikishima Park (a great place to jog or engage in less stressful activities) and its Rose Garden. Also nearby are the shopping/drinking/eating establishments of downtown Maebashi and several places of historic interest.

If you are an onsen aficionado, a total of 70 hot springs here including Kusatsu, Minakami and Ikaho are awaiting you. It may be a touch too early to ski, but there are many famous ski resorts in northern Gunma.

Founded in 1986, Gunma JALT was set up to help foreign and local English teachers in the prefecture with methodology and teaching techniques. Beginning with 40 members, the early years were spent primarily in teacher-training. Some of the early speakers were Thomas Robb, Thomas Scovel, Mark Seng, Wilga Rivers, Ron White, and Robert Juppe. Membership peaked at 99 early and has been slowly declining. At present, there are 60 full-time members. Most of our members are teachers at secondary level and above.

Along with monthly meetings, Gunma JALT has always held well-attended three-day summer workshops at the end of August, where local members can contribute their expertise and meet leading experts in the field. Also, a traditional annual Christmas Party is held to bring members together socially.

Over the last couple of years, we have sought to broaden the scope of events organized by our chapter. EFL educators--the "bread and butter" of our programs--are being increasingly supplemented by a healthy dose of professionals from other walks of life. The presentations have ranged from working as a translator in Japan (Paul Rector--our local Paul Bunyan) to the American portrayal of Japan through movies (Mark Schilling). We believe that covering a wide range of issues, which may not be immediately related to classroom concerns, will allow our chapter to grow and attract a wider spectrum of free thinkers with diverse philosophies.

Though the composition and demographics of the happy family of Gunma-JALT have changed (ehm... grayed), the goals of the chapter have remained the same: to keep members abreast of the changes in the field of language teaching, provide a venue for the exchange of ideas and information, create opportunities for networking among language teachers in Gunma, and a forum for new members to meet others and get job information.

On behalf of Gunma-JALT we look forward to seeing you in Maebashi in October !

Leo Yoffe, Co-Program Chair, and George Ricketts, Newsletter Editor

People in JALT-Gunma

What I appreciate the most about JALT-Gunma is the people. They teach English and other languages at junior and senior high schools, colleges, conversation schools, and even private or what we call kotatsu schools. We learn from each other. These people are what keeps JALT-Gunma going. Our program chairs invite excellent speakers. It is not unusual that a distinguished scholar from abroad gives a major lecture in Tokyo and soon after we meet the same person in Gunma. In our programs, we try to combine theoretical presentations with hands-on practical workshops. I believe this approach is very much in line with the theme of this year's JALT Conference: "...Connecting Research and the Classroom." After all, the two facets are inseparable.

Our facility and social chairs provide invaluable service, together with the treasurers and membership chairs who make sure our ranks and coffers are never depleted. I think you will also be impressed by our Chapter newsletter: SPEAKEASY. It is a powerful voice of our organization and never fails to stir debate and discussion.

Not only the officers, but everyone at Gunma-JALT are now looking forward to meeting people from all over the world at JALT99.

Shibayama Morijiro, JALT99 On-Site Chair and Chapter Co-President

If you are interested in joining Gunma-JALT, please contact Shibayama Morijiro; t: 027-263-8522. For information about upcoming events or if you want to become a volunteer at the Conference (October 7-11), contact Leo Yoffe; t: 027-233-8696.

The Language TeacherApril 1999

A Chapter in Your Life

edited by joyce cunningham & miyao mariko

Gunma Chapter Welcomes You to JALT99

People in JALT-Gunma

The Language Teacher
April 1999