"Making Osaka a Leader in English Education"
OFSET
Osaka Fu Special English Teachers Union
415 Osaka-fu Kyoiku
Kaikan
7-11 Higashi Kozu-cho
Tennoji-ku, Osaka 543-0021
April 7, 2008
Mr. Toru Hashimoto
Osaka Prefecture Governor
2-1-22 Otemae
Chuo-ku Osaka
Dear Governor Hashimoto:
Congratulations on your recent appointment to the office of governor of Osaka Prefecture.
The purpose of this letter is to introduce you to the Osaka Prefectural NET (Native English Teachers) Program, which is currently under threat of cancellation due to budget concerns. Based on your platform of child-support and education, we would like to invite you to witness the credibility and commitment of our teachers to the students of Osaka Prefecture, as well as observe our contributions to the educational system within Osaka’s public high schools.
The NET Program in Osaka is one of the largest groups of native English-speaking teachers in Japan. We have spent the last eighteen years creating a rich learning environment within Osaka public schools by creating original teaching materials and specialized curriculums, stimulating international awareness, and fostering students’ practical English communication abilities. By actively participating in our schools, we are able to build personal relationships with both our students and their parents that help motivate the students to utilize their English skills both in and out of the classroom.
Like you, Osaka Prefectural NETs have got a lot of energy to help change Osaka. NETs, working closely with Japanese teachers of English, have spent years developing sophisticated English programs at schools throughout Osaka Prefecture. Without the NET teachers, these programs would become unsustainable and simply vanish. By continuing to support the NET Program, Osaka is guaranteed affordable, high-quality English education for its residents.
You have said that Osaka is not going forward. A vital part of Osaka’s growth depends upon the success of its commercial industries that must compete in today’s global market. A sound investment in English education will play an essential role in that future success. The best way to realize that future is by allowing us to also “give our best for the sake of Osaka”, and to continue developing the Osaka Prefectural Native English Teachers' Program.
It is in this spirit that we wish to extend a personal invitation for you to come and see what we are doing to develop English education and further cultural enrichment at schools throughout the prefecture. Let us share with you some of our energy and ideas about the future of the program; there is still so much untapped potential waiting to be explored.
Respectfully,
Steven Thompson
OFSET General Secretary