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JLEU39FEBRUARY, 2017: BREEZE ISSUE #112
A FREE MONTHLY E-NEWSLETTER FOR FRIENDS OF JAPAN & TEACHERS OF
JAPANESE

JAPANESE LANGUAGE EDUCATION UPDATE 39:RECRUITING JAPANESE TEACHERS
by Amanda Rollins, Japanese Language Program Coordinator
Japanese Language Education Update 39: Recruiting Japanese Teachers
By Amanda Rollins, JFLA Program Coordinator
There is a national teacher shortage. The JF Survey 2015 confirmed that this trend is affecting
Japanese language teacher numbers as well. What can our community do about it?
First of all, what is “our community”? Who are we?
There is a vast network of passionate Japanese language
teachers in the United States. Not only are there Japaneseteachers’ associations across the country, but we are also
connected to other organizations like Japan-America
Societies, Consulates-General of Japan, Japanese chambersof commerce, and Sister City Organizations. And please
remember that the Japan Foundation, Los Angeles is ready tosupport this community with grants and advocacy.
Together, our community has the resources to reach out and support new teachers.
When someone tells you, “I’m thinking about teaching Japanese,” what should you do?
Immediately share the Becoming a Japanese Language Teacher page with them. It now has aJapanese translation for native speakers: ⽇本語教師を⽬指したい︕
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Tell them about the local teachers’ association andencourage them to join. Other members can give them advice
about teacher licensing and teaching methodologies. Maybethey’ll even find a mentor who will let them observe a class ortwo.
Find pre-service teachers!
Teachers’ associations should maintain contact withuniversities which train Japanese language teachers. A new Japanese language teacher must
start his or her career connected to support networks full of people who can answer questions.
Find the person who is in charge of teacher training and send them an email to update them
about your association’s activities.
Several young teachers have told me, “I wish somebody had hunted me down and recruited me
as a student! Nobody told me that this organization exists!”
What about experienced teachers who are currently outside of our network?
Your teachers’ association probably has a list of members and their schools. Cross-check yourlist with the JF Survey’s school database, which will be updated soon with the 2015 data. Whichschools are NOT on your member list?
Make a list of target schools for recruitment and send it toyour members. Say to them, “Do you know anyone teaching
Japanese at the schools on this list? Please contact them andtell them about the benefits of being a member. If you recruit
a new member, your next year of membership will be free!”And of course, provide your members with a list ofmembership benefits to share.
It’s also a good idea to establish a “recruiter” position on theboard itself. It can be that person’s job to call every school and get in direct touch withpotential members.
Sometimes a school district decides to start Japanese and nobody tells us. How do we find out
about it?
Often, school districts have a “world language supervisor”
who would know about new programs in their district. These
supervisors have an association of their own called theNational Association of District Supervisors of Foreign
Languages (NADSFL). Find the world language supervisors inyour region and email them to establish a connection. Even ifPrivacy - Terms

the district doesn’t offer Japanese, the winds could change and they might consult with you
about reasons to start one. And feel free to start the conversation by telling them about ourgrants.
I also recommend maintaining close contact with your state Department of Education’s world
language supervisor. They are probably a member of the National Council of State Supervisors
for Language (NCSSFL). It’s their job to support language teachers in the state, so they need toknow that you exist and have a voice.
The more connected we are, the farther our information and support can travel. Good luck!

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Japanese Langauge Education Update 39
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2016 J-LEAP Report: Hina

2016 J-LEAP Report: Natsumi Uejo

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