Dr. Brian J. McVeigh, a social anthropologist, lived in Japan from 1987 to 2003 engaged variously in studying, researching and teaching. He has published widely and frequently gives public talks. Although he taught courses in anthropology at universities in Tokyo, he has also taught a number of English courses. Recently, he accepted an appointment at the University of Arizona. In this interview, he talks about his research and the implications for language teachers.