March 2006

The Japan Association of College English Teachers

No.153[Foreword]

Evolving or merely changing?
Jiro Numano
Chairman
Chugoku-Shikoku chapter
Are we, as an organization or individual language teachers or whatever, evolving or
merely changing? I suppose this is an on-going question.
But first, some greetings. Four years, or two terms as chairman of a chapter, havepassed. It was quite an unexpected and unwelcome post for me when the responsibility
was first suggested in a chapter board meeting held in Hiroshima in 2001. However, as I
had greatly benefited from the JACET organization for so many years, I could not but
accept the role after some hesitation. I was reminded of the saying, “It is more blessed togive than to receive”(Acts 20:35), though I did not mean to give, however felt I could not
avoid assuming the role to repay what I had received.
Everything is changing, either evolving or simply changing. I would like to mention
several cases I have observed during my past twenty-five years as a language teacher.
First, regarding current secondary school English education around the nation. While it is
the result of the so-called yutori education system meant to give pupils room to think,reason, and be creative, so that they could be equal to their counterparts in otheradvanced nations, the system has obviously led to a considerable decline in their English
ability, as well as in other subjects. I think this could be regarded as a simple case of“change,” and I anticipate a swinging back of the pendulum.
Next, EFL education methodology comes to mind. Here, most of the readers will
think of this as a clear case of “evolution.” We are all aware of the general developmental
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sequence from the Grammar-Translation Method to the Direct Method, to the
Audio-Lingual Method, then to the latest Communicative Approach under various
different names and with related ideas. Each method claims to be the best, repudiating
the preceding ones. We might be justified to ask here if this is a real case of evolving.
When I prepared a paper on syllabus design to submit to 清 華 大 学 (Tsinghua
University) in 1998, however, I found that each stage has something which cannot be
totally rejected. So I have some reservations. I even feel similar elements recurring eachtime somenew method

is brought up. A maxim aptly describes: “Is there anything of

which one can say, ‘Look, this is new’? No, it has already existed, long ago before ourtime.” (Ecclesiastes 1:10)
Third, regarding EFL teachers, or our current state. Have we changed from being
liberal arts instructors of English (as one of the basic education courses) into professors
who teach at the graduate level, or into professors who teach English majors, or have we
expanded our field of instruction beyond EFL courses to teach (English) linguistics,
intercultural communication, and the like? Many, or most, of the readers here have been
fortunate enough to move forward and upward in their careers. But, we know quite a few
who have not been so fortunate and are daily coping with the students left behind. These
colleagues of ours are often times heavily burdened with administrative chores. Here, we
see a divide between the privileged educators and those who are not, but who must deal
with drop-outs. In passing, let me share my humble observation regarding English
teachers in Japan. I have often been surprised at the conspicuous lack of fluency on thepart of Japanese English teachers. I feel many Japanese English teachers, young and old,should be making more efforts to develop fluency. I know this is a self-addressedadmonition and I know there are many excellent Japanese English teachers in terms of
spoken English, and I respect them. Also, I would like to see more English teachers learn
another foreign language: that will help them understand their students’ standpoint andallow the teachers to come up with fresh ideas to teach.
Finally, if we look at the JACET organization itself. Is it evolving or simply changing
or has it left behind necessary innovations? I observe it as undergoing two aspects oftransformation. One, in leadership, seems to be shifting from outstanding individuals toorganizational executives with various committees. Two, the organizational entity is
about to change from an arbitrary association to a public corporate body, which is moreaccountable to society. Therefore, I can say that, according to needs of the times the
JACET organization has been “evolving.”
In conclusion, not everything is evolving but many things, both human andnonhuman, are simply changing, often toward a lower level. However, it is also true thatevery individual being is striving for improvement or, at least, survival. We learn andmature through this process, which can be called “evolving.”
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News from the JACET OfficeSecretary General KIMURA, Matsuo
The possibility of a shift from the present voluntary JACET corporation to a future public JACET
corporation has been seriously discussed from last year by the JACET Future Plans Committee members
in collaboration with representatives of Shin-Nihon Ernst & Young, one of the big four world inspection
corporations. In the semiannual meeting of the JACET Board of Directors on March 26-27 at Waseda
University, the outline of a tentative but a comprehensive future plan for JACET as a public cooperation
was introduced by Professor Jimbo Hisatake, one of the JACET vice-presidents, in charge of the future
JACET plans. As a result of the discussions, in the meeting the future public JACET corporation plan
was passed by common assent. The plan, with some amendments, will go into effect in the spring of2007.
I thank all of you for your academic and practical efforts supporting JACET’s progress throughout theyear.

Chapter News
<Hokkaido Chapter Report>
Lecture Meetings
On October 29, the ESP Hokkaido SIG had their first open meeting. The meeting was chaired by
Masashi Takemura (Hakodate National College of Technology) and the venue was the Dohto University
Sapporo Research Center. Lectures included the “ESP Hokkaido 2005 research project: A study on theuse and the need for English in Hokkaido business corporations” by Hisashi Naito (Asahikawa Medical
College); “Research methods for need analysis: Who, what and how?” by Ken Urano (Hokkai Gakuen
University); “An investigation on the need for English among the Department of Agriculture graduates ofthe Hokkaido Institute of Technology (a mid-term report) by Hiroko Miura (Hokkaido Institute ofTechnology); and “An Internet survey on the use and need for English” among adults in Hokkaido (amid-term report) by Megumi Yamada (Hokkaido Pharmaceutical University).
On November 7, the second JACET Hokkaido lecture meeting was held at Hokkaido University. This
event coincided with the OUP English seminar: Grammar and Dictionaries, in which lectures were given
by Henry Widdowson (University of London) and Michael Swan (a writer who specializes in English
language teaching and reference materials). The lecture titles were respectively, “Setting a Good
Example: Dealing with Meaning in Learner Dictionaries” and “Usage Guides: Keeping up with theLanguage.”
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On February 11, 2006, the ESP Hokkaido held the second open meeting at the Dohto University
Sapporo Research Center. Atsuko Yamazaki (Monotsukuri University) delivered a special lecture, “The
Relationship Between the Present State of ESP Needs in the Manufacturing Industry and College English
Education.” Akiko Shibata (Senshu University, Hokkaido Junior College) also presented a mid-term
research report, “A Questionnaire Regarding English Use and Needs in Hokkaido Business Corporations
and Industrial Society.”
On February 17, the JACET Hokkaido CALL SIG held a lecture meeting at Hokkai Gakuen
University Sandra Fotos (Senshu University) gave a lecture entitled, Five Features of a Superior CALL
Facility: A case study of the CALL Facility of the University of Victoria, BC, Canada.”
On February 18, the third JACET Hokkaido lecture meeting was held at Fuji Women’s College. Koji
Takeuchi (Sapporo International University, Junior College) presented a research report, “About the
Effects of the Reader’s Knowledge, Text Types, and Test Types on Readings in a Native Language(Japanese) and a Foreign Language (English).” A video lecture by Sandra Fotos (Senshu University)
recorded on the previous day was followed by a symposium, “Designing CALL for Foreign Language
Education: Case Studies in Each Institution.” Yuri Nishihori (Hokkaido University) was the chair, andYasushi Kawai (Hokkaido University), Tahara Hiroyuki (Sapporo University), Keiko Hayasaka (Hokusei
Gakuen University) and Seiichi Miyamachi (Sapporo Gakuin University) were speakers.
Publications
The Research Bulletin of English Teaching, No.3 (The JACET Hokkaido Chapter Research Paper
Collection) was published in March 2006. The 19th issue of the Chapter Newsletter will be issued soon.
(Yasushi Kawai, Hokkaido University)<Tohoku Chapter Report>
Timeline of the Year 2005-2006
1) June 4, 12:00-17:10, Tohoku Gakuin University
Board Meeting
Annual Chapter Convention
Special Lecture (1) and Symposium2) September
JACET-Tohoku Newsletter No. 28 issued3) October 1, 13:00-16:45, Akita University
Regular Meeting
Presentations (1), (2), and (3).
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TOHOKU TEFL: JACET-Tohoku Bulletin Vol. 1 issued5) December 3, 12:30-14:30, Sendai City Civic Auditorium
Board Meeting
Regular Meeting
Presentations (4), (5) and Special Lecture (2)6) March 11, 12:00-15:00, AER Building, Sendai
Board Meeting
7) March, 2006
JACET-Tohoku Newsletter No. 29 (to be issued)
I. List of Special Lectures(1) Jimbo, Hisatake (Waseda University)“Communication and English Grammar from a Materials Development Perspective”
June 4, 2005, Tohoku Gakuin University(2) Aizawa, Kazumi (Tokyo Denki University)“Reading Texts and Vocabulary Learning”
December 3, 2005, Sendai City Civic Auditorium
II. Symposium
Theme: Communication and English Grammar
Chair: Ogata, Ryodo (Tohoku University of Art & Design)
Panelists: “Indispensable Formal Instruction”
Fukuchi, Kazunori (Sendai National College of Technology)“English Grammar and Usage that Needs to be Taught Explicitly to Japanese Students”
Takahashi, Kiyoshi (Miyagi University of Education)“Grammar in Context”
Jimbo, Hisatake (Waseda University)
III. List of Presentations(1) “The Influence of Language Environment and the Personality Factors on EFL Learners’
Willingness to Communicate”
Tsue, Natsuko （Graduate Student of Akita University Graduate School of Education）
October 1, 2005, Akita University(2) “Learner Autonomy and Culture: Universals and Specifics”
Cotterall, Sara (Akita International University)
October 1, 2005, Akita University(3) “Perceptions in Language Teaching”
Ingram, David E. (Melbourne University Private)
October 1, 2005, Akita University
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(4) “Corpus Linguistics: Gender Reflected on Society”
Narisawa, Yoshio (Tohoku Gakuin University)
December 3, 2005, Sendai City Civic Auditorium(5) “Toward the Improvement of Elementary School English Activities in terms of Communication
Competence”
Aizawa, Marie (Shokei Gakuin College) and Miyasone, Mika (Tohoku Institute ofTechnology)
December 3, 2005, Sendai City Civic Auditorium
IV. Publications(1) JACET-Tohoku Newsletter 28, September 2005 issued(2) TOHOKU TEFL: JACET-Tohoku Bulletin Vol. 1, October 2005 issued(3) JACET-Tohoku Newsletter 29, March, 2006 (to be issued)
TOHOKU TEFL: JACET-Tohoku Bulletin Vol. 1 was published by Watanabe Yoshinori (Akita
University), Itagaki Nobuya (Miyagi University of Education), Muranoi Hitoshi (Tohoku Gakuin
University) and Sakuma Yasuyuki (Fukushima University). Three papers are included.
JACET-Tohoku Newsletter 29, including reports of the lectures and the paper presentations, is going
to be issued in March, 2006.
(Muranoi, Hitoshi, Tohoku Gakuin University & Okazaki, Kumiko, Miyagi National College ofTechnology)<Chubu Chapter Report>
Executive Committee Meetings
1.Date: February 11
Venue: Tokai Gakuen University Sakae Satellite Campus
Agenda: Honbu report, Chubu Chapter report, chapter executive committee members for 2006,
Chubu Chapter memoranda amendments, 2005 chapter activity report and proposal for 2006, JACET
annual convention chairs, IATEFL representative and 2006 Chubu Chapter convention
2. Date: February 25
Venue: Tokai Gakuen University Sakae Satellite Campus
Agenda: Honbu report, Chubu Chapter report, chapter executive committee members for 2006,
2005 interim account statement of Chubu Chapter, 2006 budget proposal, chapter annual convention
steering committee appointments, Chubu Chapter Newsletter
Study Meetings
One study meeting was held at Tokai Gakuen University Sakae Satellite Campus on February 25.
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Professor Masayuki SANO (Teikyo University) gave a lecture on "Improving Class by Action
Research." Professor Yukiko KURU (Gifu Shotoku University), a member of Chubu Chapter Writing
Research Group, gave a presentation titled "Nihonjin gakushusha nitotte no eigo deno writing okangaeru." A get-together dinner for participants and chapter members followed the study meeting.
Publications
JACET-Chubu Newsletter No.15 was issued on December 30.
（Yasumi MURATA・Meijo Univ.)<Kansai Chapter>
Activities of the Kansai Chapter in early 2006 and scheduled activities for the middle of 2006 include thefollowing:
2006 Spring Conference
Date: Ritsumeikan University
Place: June 3, 2006
The program for the Spring Conference will be available on the chapter web site(http://www.jacet-kansai.org/taikai.html) from the middle of April.
Seminar and Lectures
1. Second Chapter Lecture of the 2005 Academic Year
Date: December 10, 2005
Place: Co-op Inn Kyoto
Presenter: ISHIKAWA Yasushige (Kyoto University of Foreign Studies)
Title: Things to Consider before "Teaching Content": Rethinking Teaching Style
2. 10th Annual Graduation-Master's Thesis Seminar, chapter co-sponsored with the Kansai English
Language Education Society (KELES)
Date: February 19, 2006
Place: Doshisha University, Imadegawa Campus
Plenary Speaker: Mike Bostwick, Katoh Gakuen
Title: Six Common Myths Surrounding Early Foreign Language Education
3. Third Chapter Lecture of the 2005 Academic Year
Date: March 5, 2006
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Place: Campus Plaza Kyoto
Presenter: HAYASHI Keiko (Hiroshima Jogakuin University)
Title: Foreign Language Instruction and Parent-Child Interaction in Foreign Language Learning
Publications
JACET-Kansai Newsletter, No. 31 was published in January 2006. Current
and back issues of the Newsletter can be accessed at http://www.jacet-kansai.org/newsletter.html
JACET Kansai Journal, Vol. 8 was published in June 2005. JACET Kansai Journal, Vol. 9 will be
published in 2007.
Information on Chapter SIGs
The Kansai Chapter has 11 special interest groups that conduct research in a wide range of fields. For
more information, please refer to the following web page: http://www.jacet-kansai.org/kenkyukai.html
Announcement
The Kansai Chapter will not hold a Fall Conference in 2006 because thechapter will host the 45th JACET National Conference at Kansai Gaidai University, September 8-10,
2006.
For further information on all the chapter's current and past activities, please refer to the Kansai Chapter
web site at http://www.jacet-kansai.org.
(Robert J. Fouser, Kyoto University)<Chugoku-Shikoku Chapter Report>(1)Annual Chapter Convention
Date: June 11, 2005; Place: Shimane University(A) Presentations [1]Chair: Tadashi Nishida (Hiroshima University)
Deena Quadir Moriam (postgrad., IDEC, Hiroshima University) and Tadashi Nishida(Hiroshima University): "Speaking Strategy Use by EFL Students in Japan and Bangladesh"; Vasantha
Danapala (MA Student,
IDEC, Hiroshima University): "Language Learning Strategies: A Cross-cultural Comparison"; Joseph
Nattress (Matsuyama University):
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"Simulating Real-life Communication in the Classroom Using Impromptu Skits"(B) Presentations [2]Chair: Hironobu Matsuoka (Yasuda Women's University)
Tomoko Nakamura (Hiroshima International University): "Creating an E-Learning Pilot Program for
Beginners Using Multimedia"; Hidetomo Torigoe (Takuma NCT): " Verbal Strategies to Keep
Conversation Going "; Toshiaki Takahashi(Yamaguchi University): "Hints for Improving ESL Teaching -- With Reference to the Teacher's
Questioning Technique"(C)Lecture
Osamu Takeuchi (Kansai University): "Before Starting a New EFL Program: Filling in the Gaps
between Purposes and Evaluation"(D) Symposium
Chair: Tadashi Nishida (Hiroshima University)
Theme: "New Attempts to Improve English Competence"; Panelists: Chiaki Iwai (Hiroshima City
University): "Providing Opportunities for Authentic Language Use? In Reference to a Summer
Intensive Course "Hiroshima and Peace" at Hiroshima City University"; Toshiyuki Takagaki(Onomichi University): "Activities for Raising Students' Awareness of Linguistic Realities ofEnglish"; Hideo Horibe (Hiroshima Institute of Technology): "Possibilities of International Student
Exchange between Universities -- A Case Study of the UI-HIT Program"(2) The 1st Steering Committee Meeting
Date: June 11, 2005; Place: Shimane University(3) Seminar
Date: October 15, 2005; Place: Yasuda Women's University(A) Presentations [1]Chair: Chiaki Iwai (Hiroshima City University):
K. V. Dhanapala (IDEC, Hiroshima University): "A Cross-Cultural Study on English Language
Learning Strategies in Japan and Sri Lanka"; Roger Nunn and Darren Lingley (Kochi University):"Using Mini-Lectures in University English Classes"; Yoko Nogami and Chiaki Iwai (Hiroshima City
University): "A Comparative Study of Complaint Speech Acts in English and Japanese by JapaneseCollege English Learners";(B) Presentation [2]Chair: Toshiaki Takahaashi (Yamaguchi University):
Tomoyuki Yokoyama (Hiroshima City University)"A Coordinated Way of Using a Content
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Management System (CMS) and a Questionnaire Management System (QMS)"; Hironobu Matsuoka(Yasuda Women's University) and Tomoko Nakamura (Hiroshima International University): "About
the Validity of the Order to Introduce the Restrictive and Non-Restrictive Relative Pronouns−
Inspection through Historical English Textbooks and the Acquisition Sequence of Japanese Learners"(4) The 2nd Steering Committee Meeting
Date: March 5, 2006; Place: Hiroshima International Gakuin University Items on the agenda:
The accounts for the 2005 fiscal year and the budget for 2006
Plans for 2006: the annual convention and seminars
The JACET Chugoku-Shikoku Chapter Research Bulletin
Change in chapter executives
Revision of chapter regulations(5)Publication
The JACET Chugoku-Shikoku Chapter Research Bulletin Vol. 2 was issued in April 2005 and Vol. 3
will be published in April 2006.
Hidetomo Torigoe (Takuma NCT)

<Kyushu-Okinawa Chapter Report>
January 28
The 7th Steering Committee Meeting
February 4
SIG East Asia English Education 57th Seminar (Venue: Seinan Gakuin University)
Speaker: Shinichiro Ishikawa (Kobe University)
Topic: Size of the Target Vocabulary at High Schools in Japan and Korea: A Corpus-based Analysis of
the English Tests from 1994 to 2005
March 11SIG East Asia English Education 58th Seminar (Venue: Seinan Gakuin University)(1) Speaker: Ikuko Inoue (Shiida Elementary School)
Topic: Meeting Okbaji, a Volunteer in Nepal(2) Speaker: Chiyuki Takubo (Kurume University, Fusetsu High School)
Topic: An Introduction of the Exchange Program Between Shanghai High School and Kurume
University, Fusetsu High School (part 1)
March 18
The 8th Steering Committee Meeting
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March 18
Asia TEFL 2006 3rd Local Executive Committee Meeting
April
Kyushu-Okinawa Chapter Newsletter No. 22 to be publishedMay 13The 9th Steering Committee Meeting
May 13
Chapter General Meeting (Venue: Seinan Gakuin University)
May 13
Spring Special Lecture (Venue: Seinan Gakuin University)
Speakers: Hisako Yamauchi (Kurume Institute of Technology), Hideko Nakano (Kyushu Kyoritsu
University), Mariko Oda (Kurume Institute of Technology)
Topic: Human Resources Companies are Seeking in the Global Age
May 31
Deadline for submission to Annual Review of English Learning and Teaching No. 11
Official Chapter homepage: http://www.n-junshin.ac.jp/jacet/(Toshihiro Shimizu, Kyushu University)

Main Articles on this Issue
Foreward (NUMANO, Jiro) ------------- 1
Report from JACET Office (KIMURA, Matuso)--------------- 3
Chapter News ------------------ 3

JACET News
Editors: NAKABACHI, Keiichi
MILLER, Jeffrey
YOSHIDA, Hiroyo
Published March 31, 2006
The Japan Association of College English
Teachers(President: MORIZUMI, Mamoru)
55 Yokotera-machi, Shinjuku, Tokyo 162-0831
Tel 813-3268-9686 Fax 813-3268-9695
http://www.jacet.org/

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