The Cornell University Japanese Teacher Training Workshop (JTTW) was demanding, yet ended much too quickly. I studied so much that I thought there was no way I could study anymore. Looking back I realize the importance of actually having the opportunity to teach for real in the workshop, not just studying methodology written in books. Teaching is not just using your brain; it is actually an experience thorough the body. The difference between FACT and ACT.

In our daily demonstration classes I attempted to use what we were taught in the lecture classes; I constantly revived and changed lesson plans that didn't go as well as planned and tried them again in the next demonstration class. In the first week of the program we observed master instructors teach real Japanese classes.

We started giving demonstration classes from week two. Of course, the Cornell pedagogy professors continued to explain the mechanics of an effective drill class during this time. We also learned how to develop oral tests and effective evaluation techniques. It was impossible to learn everything perfectly in such a short program, but I was able to secure the permanent foundation needed for teaching real Japanese classes from the fall.

JTTW was a very demanding program, but what we learned was extremely practical and able to be applied immediately in the classroom setting.

After finishing JTTW, I came to Wellesley College in Massachusetts as an ALLEX adjunct lecturer to teach Japanese 101. Here Japanese 101 meets 5 times a week, each class being 70 minutes. Basically there are two lecturers and three drill classes per week. The lecturers are conducted entirely in English while the drill classes are entirely in Japanese. I am in charge of the drill classes. We use a team-teaching method in that there are two of us who are in charge of three sections.

There are usually less than 10 students in a section; more than half of the students are of Asian decent. The remainder is American and Hispanic. The students at Wellesley are extremely diligent and carefully study the text (Japanese: the Spoken Language by Eleanor Jorden with Mari Noda). Therefore we are able to move quite quickly. I use all of the skills I learned in the summer training program. This is the first time that these students have studied in this manner and with JSL but they seem to give the highest regards our teaching. I am hoping to achieve a high level of Japanese education and bring up their levels even further.

Day after day I believe more and more that this teaching method is truly fantastic! Communicating with the students is great fun. It still takes me a long to put together a good lesson plan but every minute of it is exciting! I am so thankful for this opportunity. I really enjoy both my class time and office hours when I can study with the students individually. In both cases I am able to use the many skills I learned in JTTW. As each day passes I learn more and more from the students. If hadn't done JTTW I have no idea how to go about teaching Japanese. I feel like I am living my dream!

Lastly I want to take a moment to thank all those that have supported me so much, including those who hired me (Eleanor Jorden-sensei and Eiko Torii-sensei), those who taught me (Robert Sukle-sensei and Naomi Nakada-Larson sensei), Tom Mason who introduced me to the program, and to all my friends and family who have been so supportive of me.

It was a very short summer but I feel so lucky to have a place to perform what I learned in the JTTW classes. For those who are pursuing a dream of becoming a Japanese teacher in America, what you learn in this summer training program will be a step up for your future!

Note from ALLEX: Ms. Takahara is an ALLEX Adjunct Lecturer and was selected in 2004 to teach at Wellesley College in Massachusetts for one year. In 2004 ALLEX lecturers were sent to either Cornell University or Ohio State University for their training. The 2005 ALLEX eight week intensive summer program will be held at Portland State University. Summer-only students (Ph.D. candidates in Japanese literature, current high school and college instructors, and those just entering the field) are encouraged to take the training program. For more information please contact ALLEX.