CAJLS’s Recent Activities and Accomplishments

• Started the Rafu-Shinpo Nihongo Lesson Series – ( November, 2000)

• Completed the Compilation of Tsuzukete Manabo Nihongo Textbook – Published by Heian

• Selected as a recipient organization of the 2000 Rafu-Shinpo Charity Golf Tournament – (August, 2000)

• Held the 34^th Annual CAJLS credit test for high school level students – (May, 2000)

• Held the Children’s Arts and Calligraphy Exhibit (in collaboration with JACCC) at the George Doizaki Gallery, JACCC – (May, 2000)

• Participated as a sponsoring organization in the Nikkei 2000 Conference (San Francisco, CA) – (April, 2000)

• Held the Children’s Art’s and Calligraphy Exhibit (in collaboration with the US-Japan EXPO XX) at The Los Angeles Convention Center – (November , 1999)

• Held the National Heritage Japanese Language Education Conference (in collaboration with Hawaii Kyoiku-kai and JACCC at the Japan-American Theatre/JACCC – (May, 1999)

• Participated as a sponsoring organization in the Ties-That-Bind Conference (Los Angeles, CA)

• Completed the Compilation/Publication of the Yasashii Nihongo Textbook Series (4 volumes), Seibido (Tokyo, Japan) – (1990 ~ 1996)

• Completed the Compilation/Publication of the Watakushitachi No Nihongo (10 volumes) (Kyoto, Japan) – (1973 ~ 1986)

Current/Future CAJLS Organization Activity Foci

• Promotion of the Heritage Japanese Language in the U.S.

• Active participation in the Nikkei Community

• Cultivation of the Nikkei interest in the study of Japanese language and over – issue of Nikkei heritage

• Formation of the NAHJLE (National Association of Heritage Japanese Language Education)

• Information dissemination about the CAJLS organization and its activities

• Development of a CAJLS home-page

• Active participation and alliance formation within the U.S. professional Japanese language education field at national and regional levels – e.g., ATJ, NCJLT, TJSC

• Development of the Curricular Standardization

• Standardization of textbooks (publication and promotion of CAJLS textbooks)

• Promotion of intra-organization information exchange (concerning pedagogy)

• Seminar and workshops

• Information dissemination

• Development of New Teaching Materials and Improvement of Pedagogical Standards

• Introduction of IT-related pedagogical innovations and approach

• Promotion of Research Concerning the Heritage Japanese Language Education Field

• Articulation of CAJLS Japanese programs with other sectors, e.g., University/ College Level and Secondary School Level

• Development of assessment instruments

• Collaboration with other sectors in the development of various standards in the Japanese Language Education Field (e.g., ATJ, NAJLT)

• Participation in the CJLSC (California Japanese Language Standards Committee)

• Development of ties with other regions where the Heritage Japanese Language Education Field exists (e.g., Canada, Brazil, Peru, Argentina, Mexico, etc.)

Major Accomplishments of the CAJLS thus far

• CAJLS was instrumental in the establishment of the State of California Education Code, Section 51243-51245, and administration Code, Title 5, Section 1632. Which enable students to receive high school credits for their studies in the private sector language school. Since 1967, the CAJLS has annually held credit tests

• The CAJLS has compiled and published textbooks for use by JFL (Japanese as Foreign Language) and JHL students (Japanese as Heritage Language).