The Language Teacher
01 - 2002
Small but Vibrant Kagoshima
Nick Walters
<kagojalt@hotmail.com>
A Chapter in Your Life
edited by joyce cunningham & miyao mariko
Settle your sights on Kagoshima JALT this month and learn how this chapter has found a way that works for them. The co-editors encourage 800-word reports about your chapter's activities, challenges, and solutions in English, Japanese, or a combination of both.
Nestling in the shadow of our friendly volcano, Sakurajima, sits the city of Kagoshima, home to Kagoshima JALT. Beautiful and revered though it is, Sakurajima is also an irritation to the locals: an irritation to the eyes, when doing the washing etc., but only when the wind brings the ash over the city. And when the wind of organisation blows, so the Kagoshima Chapter committee members are brought together.
With upcoming chapter elections, (a feisty and contentious annual occurrence when the hoards jockey and jostle for the array of unfilled places), Kagoshima JALT has a committee of seven. The president, Nick Walters, has been a member of JALT for the past four years. However, he really only had the chance to get involved after coming up to mainland Kagoshima from Amami, one of Kagoshima-ken's many islands. Nick works in a local private school and teaches part-time at a university and a two-year college. When not teaching, he's prone to pick up his guitar and disturb the neighbours as well as anyone else unfortunate enough to be close by.
Reiko Mori, this year our program chair, has once again done an outstanding job. A quick look at what the chapter has been able to do this year shows the effort and commitment Reiko has given to the chapter. We have had presentations on nonverbal communication, fun activities for elementary classes, changes to the elementary curriculum, the teaching of phonics, using computers in the classroom, and there is still more to come: future presentations on teaching Japanese as a Foreign/Second Language, haiku, and teaching using the "Silent Way," to name but a few. Apart from putting together these interesting and varied events, Reiko is also a fount of knowledge about local history. So, when you come to visit, I'm sure she would be happy to tell you about the city!
Steve Cother (pronounced with a long "o" please) is usually a sociable, easy-going fellow, but when behind a reception desk at an open meeting, he changes into a keen-eyed businessman. Not usually something that, personally, I would approve of, but when it comes to the chapter's finances, then Steve is certainly in control. In the past two years, the chapter has gone from wondering where it will find the money for the next presentation to feeling secure enough to put on the events mentioned above. With all our debts finally cleared off, and under the careful guidance of Steve and Reiko, next year's program should be even more exciting (assuming both get reelected of course!)
The "Oracle," as he is affectionately known, Jim Scott fills the role of recording secretary. Jim also provides the chapter with a wealth of information about what happens at JALT national (past and present). So luckily, the chapter remains well informed. Whilst it is often difficult for Jim to get down from his nest in Kirishima to attend the local meetings, the committee appreciates his presence whenever he can make it. Jim also provides a useful alternative perspective in that he runs his own language school and as such, can speak for those in a similar situation.
While it goes without saying that attending a meeting of the chapter is an experience second to none (depending on your social life of course), it would certainly be less of an occasion without taking some refreshment halfway through. It is thanks to Rieko Nagamasa that the chapter is able to offer a cup of tea or coffee (or just plain hot water if, like Rieko, you prefer a herbal beverage) and a friendly ear. During the interval, "Bar Nagamasa" is well worth a visit.
Every chapter needs a source of energy to keep it going. Thankfully, the Kagoshima chapter is blessed with a clean, non-nuclear, non-fossil or ozone-destroying and renewable (almost endless) energy source: Nori. No, not the stuff from the sea (though, you really can't knock it) but our membership chair, Hatsushi Katsunori. Always bouncing (does any one remember Not The Nine O'clock News?) and encouraging people on, Nori has carefully guarded the chapter membership. Thanks to the effort he has put in, we have retained a solid and active membership. Like Jim, Nori runs his own language school and he has consistently brought in interested and interesting people from that sector to our meetings, giving them a new and fresh flavour.
So there you have it, the Kagoshima JALT committee. By all
means, come down and see us. We would love to hear from and listen
to you! Feel free to contact any of the Committee members by email
at <kagojalt@hotmail.com>
or check out the Kagoshima Chapter homepage: <www.kyushu.com/jalt/kagoshima.html>.
Reported by Nick Walters
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