The Language Teacher

Several issues of TLT are designated as special issues each year. There have been three in 1998 so far: CALL in February, Gender Issues in Language Teaching in May, and Video in August. Next month is a special issue on ESP (English for Specific Purposes).

The purpose of these special issues is threefold: First, special issues offer authors an opportunity to contribute to a collection of articles on a specific topic considered to be of current or potential interest to TLT readers. Special issues give JALT members the opportunity to gain editorial experience by taking the role of guest editor. Finally, speciall issues present readers with the opportunity to read a series of articles in one volume which are perhaps more specialized than articles in regular issues of TLT.

The usual procedure for undertaking a special issue is as follows: The guest editors submit proposals to TLT editors, and if accepted, take charge of the manuscripts and their preliminary editing. The articles are reviewed by the Editorial Advisory Board, and if they meet TLT standards, are accepted for publication in the special issue. TLT appreciates the work of the special guest issue authors and editors and hopes that the special issues fulfill the purposes for authors, guest editors, and readers outlined above.

This month, we lead off with two articles by JALT98 Special Guest Speakers: First, David Little and Leni Dam introduce their work on Learner Autonomy, which they will explore more with conference participants in November. Second, Kei Imai reports on a pay equity study by the Working Women's Network and discusses the impact that the current status of working women in Japan will have on our students.

In Steve Cornwell's interview with TESOL Quarterly editor, Sandra McKay, the focus is on what writers should keep in mind when writing for publication in academic journals. This interview kicks off a two-part series which will continue next month with an article by another journal editor.

Our feature articles this month include a unique program called "The Motivation Approach," introduced by Paul van Raay. Tim Murphey and Tsuyoshi Sasaki show that Japanese English teachers are increasing their use of English and make recommendations on how they can extend their use of English in class.

The Region column reappears after a long absence with an article by Jeong-ryeol Kim on elementary education and the introduction of English instruction in Korea. In Daniel McIntyre's column, Creative Course Design, Judith Lamie explores the use of pop media. Marc Helgesen responds to Richard Cauldwell's July TLT article on listening comprehension. Finally, Bill Lee's "Meditation for Troubled Teachers" is a thoughtful reminder of who our students are.

Laura MacGregor