How do I join WATJ?

Membership in WATJ is administered by the American Association of Teachers of Japanese (AATJ) and runs for the calendar year. Please register on the AATJ website at https://www.aatj.org/store/memberships. Be sure to choose Washington Association of Teachers of Japanese as your regional affiliate!

I've joined! How do I get added to the mailing list to receive updates, event announcements, and information?

WATJ board receives quarterly membership lists from AATJ in February, May, September, and December, and we update our mailing list accordingly. To ensure you are added to the email list immediately, please forward a copy of your registration receipt to WATJ President at watjinfo@gmail.com.

When and how will I get my membership card?

Your membership card is your proof of membership for the calendar year. Your membership card is required to receive a discount for educational materials purchased at Kinokuniya. In general, members will receive their membership cards in the mail, sent to your address used to register for your AATJ membership. Cards will be sent in February, September, or December, following the date of your registration. 

If you join WATJ later in the calendar year, and have not received your card in a timely manner, please forward a copy of your registration receipt along with your address to WATJ President at watjinfo@gmail.com to be added to the mailing list. Your membership card will be mailed to you.

What are the benefits of joining WATJ?

Endless! In addition to being part of a strong, close-knit collegial community dedicated to strengthening Japanese language education, WATJ members receive the following benefits:

• Networking opportunities with other Japanese language teachers and community members

• Resource sharing with our community of teachers

• Professional development workshops and conferences with free clock hours

• Participation in annual Summer Institute

• Scholarship opportunities for professional development

• Student participation in events including: Japan Bowl and Immersion Camp

• Eligibility to host a Hyogo Exchange Teacher

• Email list with announcements for open job positions, cultural events and activities, workshops, and resource sharing

• 10% discount at Kinokuniya for educational materials

• Concurrent enrollment in AATJ and student participation in Nengajo contest, National Japanese Exam, Japanese Speech and Skit Contest, and Japanese National Honors Society

I joined mid-year. Is my membership good for one year from my registration date or until the end of the calendar year?

Your membership is based on the calendar year, regardless of when you register, as per AATJ membership guidelines. If you are a new member and are registering late in the year (October or later), please contact WATJ President at watjinfo@gmail.com and we can communicate regarding what is best for your membership.

I represent a company, organization, community group, or other association that would like to be a member of WATJ to support Japanese language education. How can I join?

You may join via the AATJ website at https://www.aatj.org/store/memberships and choose Washington Association of Teachers of Japanese as your regional affiliate. If this is not possible (for example, if you are a national organization wishing to support multiple regional affiliates) or if you are unable to pay the $45 AATJ membership fee but still wish to support WATJ, please contact WATJ President at watjinfo@gmail.com to discuss how to join directly.