"E.S.S.": a universal name for English clubs?

[wwbashodo]

Hi guys:

Quick question. At my high schools, the English club is called the "E.S.S." -- "English Speaking Society." My question is, is this naming practice universal in Japanese schools? Are all your English clubs also called "E.S.S."?

(I had never heard this name before coming to Japan, of course. But some of my teachers here seem to feel it's so natural that they were surprised when I suggested that, in a document they were submitting to an international organization, "E.S.S." might need to be translated and clarified in English as "English club." ("You mean, English speakers don't know what 'ESS' means?" "I don't think so...")

[ZTrain]

I never heard that before. For what it's worth, my JHS english club is just called Eikaiwa club.

[fiona_heffernan]

Never used or heard it in my life! My English Club has two names, English Club or Language Club, but never E.S.S. If they insist on keeping the abbreviation then write it out fully in the document the first time and in brackets after use the abbreviation. After that you can continue using the abbreviation without the fear of being misunderstood! Hope it helps!

[Laurel]

Yep, mine is called E.S.S ( English speaking society) too. As far as I know, a lot of schools in my area use this abbreviation too.

[shinmei2006]

It was ESS at my friend's high school in Takamatsu as well.

[wwbashodo]

Hey guys, thanks for the input. Question: could you tell me what region you're in (those who do/don't use the term "E.S.S.")? I'm wondering if this might be a regional thing, or if it's completely random. I'm in the Tokai area (kind of between Kansai and Chubu) for what it's worth.

[AVN]

I'm in North Eastern Hokkaido and I've never heard ESS from anyone. At my HS we call it Eikaiwa club. At the JHS we call it English Club and for my ES we say Eigo Land.
I've never heard of anyone else in Hokkaido using ESS.

[Eigen]

Cubu region in Gifu Prefecture: We have an ESS Club at our high school that I help organize.

[king]

I'm in the east and yes, mine is called that. Most of my friends have either ESS or English Club

[ZTrain]

I'm in Tohoku, and I've never heard ESS before.

[phoenixphreak]

Our schools club is ESS also. Though the other schools I know of in the area have International Club instead.
We're in South/Southwest Hokkaido.

[BasilG]

In Okayama at JHS and SHS my friends call theirs 'E.S.S.' clubs. And, they inhereted the classes from their predecessors, so I'm assuming it's been common practice for a while here.

[wwbashodo]

This is interesting. It doesn't seem like any clear geographical pattern is emerging...