For general questions about TJSC, send email to tjsc_california@hotmail.com.

Frequently Asked Questions
What is TJSC?
What is the purpose & goal of TJSC?
Who are TJSC members?
What activities does TJSC engage in?
Where does TJSC meet?
How is TJSC board organized?
How is TJSC funded?
How does one become a member?

What is TJSC?

TJSC stands for Teachers of Japanese in Southern California, and it is a professional association for Japanese language teachers in Southern California. TJSC was founded in 1984 by Dr. Kazumitsu Kato, Professor Emeritus of California State University Los Angeles and Nagoya University of Foreign Studies. TJSC is the only local organization for all levels of Japanese language teachers.

What is the purpose/goal of TJSC?

TJSC strives to provide a forum for exchange and professional development for Japanese language teachers.

Who are TJSC members?

Currently, TJSC has approximately 120 members. They include university, secondary, and elementary school Japanese teachers. Teachers come from as far south as San Diego and as far north as San Luis Obispo. TJSC serves Japanese teachers in both the heritage language community (teaching Japanese to students of Japanese ancestry) as well as the general academic community. Members are both native and non-native speakers of Japanese. Graduate students in the field are also welcome.

What activities does TJSC engage in?

Workshops: TJSC organizes two workshops (two single-day events, one in spring and the other in fall) during the academic year for Japanese language teachers. The content of each workshop varies but includes topics such as pedagogy, linguistics, use of technology in the Japanese language classroom, and other areas relevant to Japanese language teachers. Workshops are open to non-members as well.
Please visit our TJSC Workshops page for more information.

Newsletters: TJSC issues a newsletter three times a year (in spring, summer, and fall) for its members. Each issue typically includes reports from recent conferences and/or workshops, introductions of Japanese programs/schools and teaching materials, announcements of upcoming Japanese language-related events in the area, local news and announcements in the field, and so forth. Since Fall 2009, our previously paper-only Newsletter has been replaced by an e-Newsletter, and our website has been completely redesigned to deliver information to our members more smoothly. Members can view and download e-Newsletter at our Members' Only website.
Please visit our Newsletters page for more information.

Members Only Mailing List: TJSC provides a tool with which all the members can both receive and transmit useful information for all other TJSC members. Examples of such information may be job postings, cultural and/or language-related event announcements, and many others; however, it is restricted to the non-profit bearing.

Student incentives: TJSC provides incentive awards, such as gift certificates for Japanese books, for Japanese language students.

Where does TJSC meet?

Workshops are held in various locations in Southern California. Board meetings are usually held three times a year (in January, May, and August) at the Japan Foundation in Los Angeles.

How is TJSC board organized?

A nine-person executive board oversees the administration of the organization. Board members are volunteers recruited from the membership and serve limited terms, usually three years.

How is TJSC funded?

TJSC's operating funds come from membership fees.

How does one become a member?

Please go to our Membership page. Membership applications are also available at our workshops. It is not necessary to be a member in order to attend our workshops. However, members are given a discounted rate.

President

Sachiko Kamioka, University of California, San Diego

Vice-president & Publicity

Shigehito Menjo, University of California, Los Angeles

Treasurer

Noriko Murata, San Fernando Valley Japanese Language Institute

Membership

Naoki Iwamoto, University of California, San Diego

Newsletter

Masako Tamanaha, University of Southern California
Minori Inada, University of California, San Diego

Recording & Inventory

Yuki Minekawa, Santa Monica College

Website

Rie Maruyama, University of California, San Diego

TJSCの役員は、毎年春に3名ずつ交替します。主な仕事は、春、夏、秋の年3回のニュースレターの発行と、春と秋の年2回の研修会の開催です。役職は、会長、副会長・広報、会計、書記・備品、名簿・登録、ウェブが1 名ずつとニュースレターが3名で、任期は3年です。4年制大学、2年制大学、高校、中学、小学校、日本語学校、日本語補習校など、様々な環境で日本語教育に携わっていらっしゃる先生方のご経験を必要としております。自薦他薦を問いませんので、ご興味をお持ちの方は、いつでもTJSC(tjsc_california@hotmail.com)までご連絡ください。