** 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 workshops, ETJ-Aichi offers this website to catalog information on meeting topic, games, songs, learning activities, and other relevant subjects -- all just a click-away in the share section.

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. We foster the self-development of Japanese learners by stimulating teachers to use varied ideas and materials.

English Teachers in Japan (ETJ) is dedicated to sharing ideas about teaching. There are no membership fees, and the minimal participation fees for ETJ-sponsored events such as workshops and national Expos allow members easy access to valuable sources of teaching information.

Another great benefit of being an ETJ member are the ETJ email discussion groups, which range from general discussion to more specific interests such as designing activities or running a school. The lists are very active and full of useful advice.

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