From the Editor...

I would like to begin by welcoming you to this issue of the LLL SIG newsletter and wishing you a happy and healthy 2008. I apologize for the fact that this newsletter, the December 2007 issue, is several months late. We have been without a webmaster for some time but have now found a new webmaster and online editor who will provide us with a steady stream of newsletters and an up-to-date website.

This issue includes a report about the LLL SIG forum at the 2007 JALT National Conference which was held November 22-25 at the National Olympics Memorial Youth Center in Tokyo. This year’s forum was a roundtable in which participants were able to share and discuss their experiences as teachers of adult learners. Before the floor was opened to discussion, the session kicked off with three speakers: Kim Bradford-Watts, who talked about student publishing and organizing a foreign foods day; Eric Skier, who discussed adult learners and autonomy; and Julia Harper, who suggested a way that teachers could take advantage of classes where the learners range in age from young adults to senior citizens. Yoko Wakui, who attended the forum, offers her views on the importance of creating opportunities for teachers to share ideas and experiences. SIG officers for 2008 were also elected at the conference and a list has been included in the issue.

The third part of Tadashi Ishida’s series, An Afternoon in Ueno Park, also appears in this issue. Please tune in to find out how far his students have progressed on their tour of the park with an English-speaking guest.

Finally, please take note of the activities the LLL SIG is planning for the first half of 2008. Eric Skier suggests a SIG project that could involve any and all interested members. As well, the LLL SIG will participate in the Pan SIG Conference to be held at Doshisha University, Kyoto, on May 10-11. Those members who wish to make presentations at the conference should check the Call for Papers section of this newsletter for submission details.

We also welcome submissions for the newsletter. We have three issues planned for 2008 and we would like to include the voices of as many SIG members as possible.