First day of a new session of the Yokkaichi Teachers' Development Initiative on Saturday, and it was great. Our numbers are up, which makes for a far more dynamic group than 4 or 5. The group is also varied in their backgrounds. A couple of teacher-trainees, a couple of junior high and senior high teachers, one retired teacher who teaches privately new, and a another couple of teachers who teach privately; it is a really diverse group.

Andy and I have also started another kind of program where we will help the teachers organize their own small Action Research projects on themes that they are interested in. In the past that segment of our program was too loose to actually provide the support the teachers need to maintain a project for that amount of time.

It is truely amazing how stretched teachers become. (If you are a teacher, you probably know what I'm talking about.) Now, in addition to my regular classes in the university, there is the Community College, Teachers' Development Seminar, and a variety of administrative jobs on the fire.

On tonight's bill is a class on film English. No, we don't show them in class, which makes it a little difficult. But we do talk about them at some length, and use bits of dialog. Fortunately the students in this class are talkative and posess the necessary language skills to carry on a discussion. Then there is a speech making class. Lots fo fun, and I think the participants leave with a sence of having learned a useful skill.

Yes, well, another try. Today we have the first meeting to discuss the faculty's new curriculum. It would come into effect in April, 2005. I have put together a proposal for the language program. I'm interested to see how it flies. My guess is that it won't be what they're expecting. "Currucula=time schedule" is SOP here.

Three classes yesterday, and the English club. The first class was the class that scored highest on a placement test. Still a pretty mixed bunch, with some folks asleep at the wheel. It was the first class, so it will be interesting to see how many of them actually stay with the program. Many of the students are very interested, but appearances.

Then there were two night classes at the Community College, "Going to the Movies," and "Speech Making I". We discussed "2001" last night, not a very easy place to start for them, really. One other student and I were pretty much on top of it, after we both had done some reading on the film from other sources. The other students were confused at best about the meaning and the film as a story of any kind.

The speech class went well, with everyone giving self introductions. They did a fine job of looking at their audience and standing up. The next task is introducing their hometown. Looking forward to that.

Today's project is to write a newspaper for the students who appear on Tuesday. Monday is a national holiday, so Tuesday will be the first day of classes for the new year. My plan for this semester is to try out a newspaper is easy English that students can look at, choose from and get some extensive reading in English. I'll probably publish it on the net somehow, so that students who don't attend class can get a copy for themselves.

Today seems to be an auspicious time to get back to blogging on Japan and teaching EFL here. It is my 17th birthday here in the country. I came to Japan on a rainy, Ridley Scott night on September 11, 1986. I have been here since. It is also the anniversary of the terrorist events that have changed the world. I used to celebrate on this day, my birthday in Japan. I don't anymore. I was asked today if I was afraid of terrorism. I am not. There are so many more dangers that we live with every day, driving, chemical refineries, bad food, that the odd wacko with a bomb strapped to his or her body slides into the background noise. How does this affect Japan and teaching here? As onetime victims of incredible violence, first by their own government, and then by America and the rest of the Allies, most of the people here are at least outwardly peaceful. Their government is an American pupet, and would take up arms again if provoked. My students are typical young people, mobile masses of ego and chemistry. They don't seem to be afraid of terrorism, though this country has also recently suffered terrorism at the hands of religious fanatics. There is practiced mobilization as people and government are afraid of earthquakes. Are natural disaster and terrorism linked? Possibly. North Korea is very close and very unpredictable. The same technology and planning used in earthquake response could be used to rescue victims of agression. My students don't think about the need to be prepared for disaster any more than they think about the need to use English. Probably less. Students attend English classes, but have they ever attended a first aid class, or put away canned goods and water? Unlikely.

I'll probably stay here for a little longer, just because. Just like I have for the past 17 years. I'll continue to teach EFL, because it is a great profession. I will probably continue to turn off students to language, or just miss opportunities with others. Hopefully I'll continue to make important connections with some of them, though. I'll be happy for those times, and they will be my balm.