The mission of ITJ is to enhance the quality of teaching and learning Japanese at the precollegiate level in the United States and around the world. Our vision is to provide Japanese language teachers convenient and inexpensive access, via the Internet, to excellent professional development opportunities. The emphasis is on collaborative learning with fellow professionals and recognized experts in the field. The Institute's GOALS and OBJECTIVES: The Institute for the Teaching of Japanese is designed to provide teachers with professional development opportunities that: can be easily accessed via computers, from home and school at any time; is based on real-world classroom practices that can be applied directly in the classroom; emphasize the primacy of the spoken language and are designed to enhance student learning of Japanese for communication; are guided by instructors and learning facilitators that are skilled teacher practitioners and language specialists; enable participants from all parts of the United States and the world to engage in collaborative learning and professional networking; enable educators to earn Continuing Education Units and university credit when they successfully complete the Institute's modules and courses; enable Japanese language teachers around the globe to easily communicate and share information with colleagues; and allow busy professionals to successfully complete most modules within a 4-week block of time. ITJ also seeks to provide opportunities for experienced and creative educators to design and/or deliver professional development modules and learning materials for the Institute. Teachers interested in contributing teaching material, lesson plans to enhance student learning, should visit the Professional Services section of the Institute from the Main Office. If you would like to learn more about the potential for developing courses for the Institute or in becoming an on-line learning facilitator, please contact the ITJ Administrator.

© 1997 The Laurasian Institution