|
The Language Teacher | |||
In an effort to help promote dialogue within JALT about employment issues, the JIC will, space permitting, publish short op-ed pieces from members. Submissions should be limited to 300 words, well written, and above all civil. Please feel free to contact me by e-mail or fax. Opinions expressed in this column are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the JIC, The Language Teacher or JALT.
Craig Sower
The Need Is NowThe non-renewal of contracts for older gaikokujin kyoshi at national universities beginning in 1992 sparked JALT's renewed interest in discriminatory practices. Equality and fairness are abstract concepts laden with cultural nuances. Few agree upon their definitions and even fewer their applications. The larger issue of discrimination, however, obscures the need for a succinct, and long overdue, appropriate response from JALT concerning mistreatment of its members. It is sufficient to state that those who lost positions presented to them on hire as permanent, clearly understood that they had verbal agreements to "stay as long as you want." Yes, they were non-Japanese; yes, they were older; but, more importantly, they were persuaded to place their trust in institutions of higher learning. The Ministry of Education initiated the policy, but it is no less the responsibility of the individual institutions which subsequently declined to protect the teachers they had hired as "permanent."The unfortunate delay in formulating a firm written response to this artifice should be addressed as the first order of business by the new Standing Committee on Employment Practices. In their rapid dismissals, the teachers were seriously misled and this fact requires no long philosophical debate or treatise for response. Although I am uncertain on many points of cultural correctness here, behavior with such severe consequences is conduct with which I can take firm issue. Delays attributed to cultural considerations, wording, or concerns about the letters' reception seem unjustifiable. These issues were not taken into consideration by the institutions when they made their decisions regarding the teachers. Letters should be sent to the Ministry of Education and to each of the offending institutions. That the letters will have no immediate impact is assumed; registering the organization's disapproval is simply the right thing to do. This action also assures JALT's membership that support is available from their professional organization in such discouraging circumstances.
Sharon Seibert Vaipae
The Web CornerThe APIC Jet Program site has changed its address slightly and now reads: <http://www.apic.or.jp/japaninfo/JETFAQ/>Interested in the Jet Program? Check out the "JET/JETAA Participants" page at <http://wacky.ccit.arizona.edu/~susd/jet.html> This page is run by people who have been in the Jet Program. Besides links they have a "List" (like JALT-CALL) where folks may join in discussions about JET. The Linguistic Funland people at the U of Nevada (Reno) have a very good job page at: <http://math.unr.edu/linguistics/job.postings.html> Looking for work? Check out Dave Sperling's excellent "ESL Job Center on the Web" at <http://www.pacificnet.net/~sperling/jobcenter.html> Definitely explore the ESL Job Center's three boards: ESL Jobs: Discussion, for job-related discussions; ESL Jobs: Offered, for current job announcements; and ESL Jobs: Wanted, for those seeking a position. While Dave posts notices for positions world-wide, there is a definite Pacific Rim slant. A relatively new page devoted to newcomers is the Quick Guide to Teaching in Japan at: <http://userwww.sfsu.edu/%7Elpoza/Guide.html>
All articles at this site are copyright © 1997 by their respective authors. |
