In this Issue
Articles
In this autumn issue, we are pleased to present three full-length research articles. The first, by Scott Aubrey, is a report on changes in L2 motivation for tertiary-level Japanese learners of English over a one-semester period as they completed a communicative course. Hiroshi Suzuki and Peter Roger, authors of the second article, examine foreign language anxiety among Japanese teachers of English, explicate the sources of such anxiety, and offer recommendations for alleviating it. Todd Tournat, in the third article, reports on the adaptation of a measure for attribution theory, the Causal Dimension II Scale, into the Japanese second language acquisition context.
Reviews
This issue features seven book reviews. In the opening review, Darío Luis Banegas covers a title from the Routledge Introduction to Applied Linguistics series on both practical matters and research investigations in intercultural communication. The second review, by Robert Croker, introduces Rod Ellis’s synthesis of empirical studies on language teaching and learning research. Dominic G. Edsall looks at language learning motivation in Japan from an edited collection. Marlen Elliot Harrison reviews a take on critical ELT from Graham Crookes. Tim Murphey lends his expertise to tease out how a book on learning and creativity research using Cultural Historical Activity Theory (CHAT) could be of interest to language teachers and graduate students. Roger Palmer examines a title looking back at 30 years of genre-based literacy and pedagogy. Closing out the reviews, Cameron Romney highlights the gap between applied linguistics theory and ELT materials development in practice as presented in a book edited by Brian Tomlinson.
From the Editor
Four years ago, I joined JALT Journal as Associate Editor. Under the guidance of Darren Lingley, I learned many editorial skills, and it’s hard to believe that this is my last issue as Editor. I am honoured to have been part of the team at JALT Journal and grateful to have worked with many talented individuals. I have learned not only how to read others’ work, but also how to write more effectively. Another wonderful side benefit is that I have extended my network of friends and contacts.
Health issues have cropped up for me in the last year. I was hoping to extend my tenure with JJ, but find I must step down. I am confident that Anne Howard will continue to keep the standards of JALT Journal high. She has been a godsend since I became ill and I am very thankful that I was able to rely on her judgment, skill, and tact while recovering. I hope she will be, as I was, fortunate in receiving a fairly steady stream of high-quality work with which to fill JJ. If I could wave a magic wand and make it so for her, I would!
I would like, as always, to extend my thanks to the authors, reviewers, and members of the fabulous JALT Journal production team for giving me this valuable experience. I hope to continue serving JALT in other ways and will, at the very least, hang around the publications board table at JALT conferences to offer advice (requested or not) to anyone who will listen.
From everyone at JALT Journal, I would like to extend our gratitude to Cynthia Quinn for reviewing manuscripts for JJ over the last 10 years. We are sorry to lose her, but understand how busy life can get! We gratefully welcome Marie Kjeldgaard and Gavin O’Neill, who join as proofreaders this issue. Marie and Gavin have just finished contributing their impressive talents as copy editors for the JALT2013 Proceedings and have graciously agreed to try their hands at proofreading JALT Journal. We are always thrilled to add members to our team!
Sadly, JALT has lost two fine men who were integral members of the proofreading team. Alan Stoke passed away suddenly in August. Alan was active in JALT since 2005 and contributed in many different capacities, including 5 years as The Language Teacher proofreader and column editor, 2 years as TLT assistant editor, 3 years as conference publications editor, 3 years as Conference Proceedings editor, and 4 years as JALT Journal proofreader. He was truly a friend of JALT publications. Alan was also active in the West Tokyo chapter—treasurer since 2007 and website editor since 2012. He will be much missed by all who knew and depended on him.
Longtime JALT member Jack Yohay is also no longer with us. Jack passed away in late September. He was a JALT member since 1980 and had attended every JALT conference. Jack was an active Osaka Chapter member who served in various officer positions for 9 years between 1982 and 2000. He was a JALT Newsletter (which came before TLT) column editor and proofreader from 1984 to 1990 and conference publications editor in 1987. Jack has been the most reliable and dedicated member of the JJ proofreading team since 1995 and proofread this current issue from his hospital bed. His gentle wit, unassuming manner, and skill with words have been appreciated by 20 years of JALT Journal editors. Jack was also a member of the Journal Editorial Advisory Board since 2009. Jack will be missed by everyone who had the privilege of knowing and working with him.
Melodie Cook
