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Participants
in the Urawa Symposium October 2001
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Jacqueline
Brown JLTAV |
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In late October 2001 I participated in the Japan
Foundation Symposium on Japanese
Teacher Networks in Tokyo on 27 October,
on behalf of the JLTAV and Australia.
Mr Kakazu, former Director of the Sydney
Language Centre, who had recently returned to Tokyo, oversaw
the Symposium. There were 12 panellists from Brazil, India, Indonesia,
England, Germany, North America, China, Korea, Europe, the Middle
East and 2 from Japan. Like me, these participants represented either
local or national Japanese language education networks and represented
both primary-secondary and tertiary teaching.
At the Tokyo Symposium participants
discussed their Japanese language network in detail. The
JLTAV was asked to present on the background of Japanese language
teaching in Australia, the establishment of the JLTAV
and a description of activities for teachers and students that are
held throughout the year. In addition, issues facing the JLTAV
and Japanese language teaching in Australia were also raised,
such as dealing with external influences of government policies, the
constant need for organisations to determine the ongoing needs of
students and teachers in providing engaging activities and practical
professional development as well as the importance of an enthusiastic
committee and membership in order to maintain an active organisation
that can benefit Japanese language teaching and learning.
 While
the number of learners of Japanese is on the increase around the world,
there are common issues facing teachers, such as a lack of support
and recognition from communities for language teachers, highlighting
the importance of teacher networks. Following the symposium, discussions
were held amongst the panellists and officials from the Japan Foundation
to explore further opportunities for networking between Japanese language
teaching associations. Possibilities of broadening our networks via
'the human network' but also developing
'an information (technological) network' were also suggested,
such as connecting our web pages via the Japan
Foundation site. I hope that in Australia, with the assistance
of the Sydney Language Centre, we can
further develop networks between each JLTA/MLTA
and local network groups in addition to building closer networks between
school and tertiary educators. From this links can be built with other
countries.
On behalf of the JLTAV, I would like
to thank the Japan Foundation for providing
such a valuable opportunity to share information and learn about Japanese
teaching networks at this symposium. |
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