** English Teachers Now Have A Low-cost Professional Organization **

By Sharon Abe, former Publicity Director, ETJ-Aichi

Inky pinky ponky, Daddy had a donkey, donkey died, Daddy cried, inky pinky ponky

Words to live by - if you teach English to children in Japan, that is. This little rhyme, which is a decision-making hand game like "Rock, Paper, Scissors," is one of the gems of wisdom shared at the last meeting of the Aichi Chapter of English Teachers in Japan (ETJ-Aichi). Wisdom? It's been a welcome repertoire addition for our members who face classrooms of children in tense, competitive situations, or even bored groups.

Are you wondering how to recycle all those textbooks your students have finished and will undoubtedly never look at again? What about making your own, professional-type picture cards; saving class preparation time; getting passive students to join in; getting passive parents to be more involved; and learning activities you can switch to when your students get that glazed look in their eyes? These are just some of the topics that have already been discussed at ETJ-Aichi meetings.

ETJ-Aichi is run solely by volunteers, which is how costs remain down while quality remains high. At our meetings, members learn from each other through interactive discussions on current situations they face in their classrooms. And, when members have classroom activities to share, we have hands-on fun during the meetings testing them for ourselves.

In addition to the national benefits and our bi-monthly chapter meetings, ETJ-Aichi offers this website for chapter members that will catalog information on meeting topics; a bulletin board-style forum for member comments; games, songs, and other learning activities; and other relevant subjects -- all just a click-away on the navigation frame here on the left.

If you teach English, are a school owner, or are thinking of starting your own school, you will benefit from attending an ETJ-Aichi workshop. Membership is free; simply fill out an application form during the first workshop you attend, and after that you will receive email announcements of upcoming meetings and other membership benefits.

ETJ -- national

David Paul, founder of David English House, an internationally renowned language school, and author of the Finding Out textbook series, started English Teachers in Japan in 1998 and continues to support the organization. Mr. Paul's aim for ETJ is to "give more power to learners and teachers in Japan." We readily accomplish this through meetings, e-mail discussion groups, training courses and workshops, and two ETJ magazines. We foster the self-development of Japanese learners by stimulating teachers to use varied ideas and materials.

English Teachers in Japan is dedicated to sharing ideas about teaching, much like JALT and other professional teacher groups. However, ETJ charges no membership fees, the two ETJ magazines are free to all members, and participation fees for meetings and other events are minimal, enabling members to have easier access to a valuable information source.

Another great benefit of being an ETJ member is the ETJ e-mail discussion groups. Currently we have two groups: one for all interested members who can post and receive questions, comments, and observations about English and teaching; and one for school owners, private at-home teachers, and those thinking of starting their own schools, to discuss finance and administration.

English Teachers in Japan has more than 2000 members nationwide and twenty-two regional chapters. The ETJ-Aichi Chapter, which started last year, serves children's teachers of English in the Aichi, Gifu, and Mie areas, and has more than 75 members.