JALT Event

Speaker: Ben Grafstrom

 

This presentation has two parts. In the first I share current trends that I have observed over the past year and a half in qualitative research, interdisciplinary research, research ethics, and the humanities in general from a Norwegian/ European perspective. I then shift to introducing my own current research project which examines the effects that depopulation is having on preserving cultural traditions in Japan’s rural areas. Specifically, I address the role of language in my research, particularly that of poetry. One of the methods I am using to produce data involves a type of document analysis of local poetry—poetry that encapsulates local memory and important descriptions of long-cherished local traditions. I provide some examples of the genres of poetry that I am finding in the field as well as some examples of how I am using poetry as a textual source for data.

     

 

Bio

Ben Grafstrom earned his MA in East Asian Languages and Civilizations (Japanese literature) from the University of Colorado, Boulder. From 2012 to 2022 he was a professor at Akita University, during which time he served as Membership Chair and later as President of JALT’s Akita Chapter. He is currently a PhD research fellow in the University of Oslo’s Department of Cultural Studies and Oriental Languages, where he is part of the “Religious Festivals in Asia: Power, Aspirations, and Play” research group. For his thesis research, he is examining the effects that mass depopulation in rural Japan (primarily Akita) is having on the ways in which community members interact with each other during festival times, as well as the efforts being made at the local level to remember and preserve cultural traditions as they become increasingly difficult to maintain and preserve.

The presentation will be March 16th 2024 from 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm

This will be an online event (Zoom -Akita JALT members with be sent a Zoom link for the presentation)

All others who would like to join JALT member or not is invited to fill out the form below. In April Akita JALT and JALT CALL will send out emails with the zoom link and information. All others who would like to join can Email Akita jalt at akita@jalt.org

Like the enduring MyShare column in JALT’s The Language Teacher, the Nara JALT MyShare event is a forum for educators to share and discover actionable teaching tips in a friendly and supportive atmosphere. 

Event Theme: Teaching to Learn, Learning to Teach: We want to know your best teaching ideas for 2024!!

This year’s MyShare will be held as follows:

Date: Sunday, April 7

Time: 9:30 am to 11:30 am

Venue: Ikoma Seisei Building

Cost: Free for JALT members (500 yen for non-members)

Participation Requirements:
There is no pre-registration required to attend this event, so please come along and join in the discussion! 

For those who are interested in sharing their teaching ideas at this event, please send us your Myshare idea by email to narajalt@gmail.com with information about your idea or activity and a brief description of your presentation contents. This is to help us plan the event as we only have a limited time at the venue and want to hear from as many speakers as possible during this event.

The Event Program Format:

There are no designated presenters; we will share discussions among all participants using a round-table discussion format.

Presentation time: (15 min maximum)
Five to ten minutes to present your idea; it can be less but there is a maximum of ten minutes per person.

Five minutes follow-up Q&A time 

Presentation methods:

This is up to the individual.
Participants can share a PPT presentation if they want to but it is not a requirement.
For example, you can also have a talk or discussion using the whiteboard &/ or handouts.
 

Venue Resources:

There is WiFi available on-site

There is a large whiteboard available

 

We look forward to hearing from you.

Final Fun Fact! We will have an informal social lunch after the event for those who would like to join in.

(2/20 Updated for Event time)

What are the "best practices" for parents seeking to raise bilingual or multilingual children? How can you generate as much rewarding progress as possible over the childhood years while avoiding common pitfalls along the way? Join Adam Beck, a longtime leader in the field of child bilingualism, for an informative and encouraging talk about maximizing the success and joy of your family's bilingual journey.

Adam Beck is the author of the widely-read books Maximize Your Child's Bilingual Ability and Bilingual Success Stories Around the World. He is also the founder of the influential blog Bilingual Monkeys (https://bilingualmonkeys.com), the long-running forum The Bilingual Zoo (https://bilingualzoo.com), and the private coaching program Bilingual SuperKids (https://bilingualsuperkids.com). A longtime resident of Hiroshima, he and his wife have two bilingual children, raised in Japanese and English, who are now 19 and 17.

 

Time and venue information

Sunday, April 21, 2024 14:00-16:00

M215, Aidai Muse Building, Ehime University Johoku Campus

<https://www.ehime-u.ac.jp/overview/access/johoku/> 

JALT Members: free

One-day members: 1000 yen

 

For more information: Send mail to matsuyama@jalt.org

 

Endorsements: Matsuyama City; Matsuyama City Board of Education（後援:　松山市、松山市教育委員会）

We are going to have an all-day face-to-face meeting on March 17, 2024, at Ibaraki University. There will be two chapter member presentations in the morning and one guest workshop in the afternoon. The following is a tentative schedule, and more detailed information such as presentation titles and summaries will be provided shortly.

Date: March 17 2024

Venue: Ibaraki University, Mito, Ibaraki-prefecture

Address: 2-1-1, Bunkyo, Mito (Location maps are provided below both in English and Japanese.)

Meeting Room: Seminar Room, the 3rd Floor, Ibaraki University Library (in front of the main gate)

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Morning session: 10:00-12:00

Two chapter members will present in the morning.

Presentation1: 10:00 - 11:00

Title: Using Digital Tools in the Classroom: The Case of Classical Japanese and Japanese Palaeography

Presenter: Ania Gonzalez

Presentation 2: 11:00-12:00

Title: Materials Evaluation in Actual Classroom Use: A Case Study

Presenter: James Morris

Lunch Break: 12:00-14:00

About lunch, there are Coco's and Gusto near the university. You can have a leisurely lunch with other participants.

-----------------------------------

Afternoon Session: 14:00-15:30

Presentation 3: 14:00-15:30

Title: Pedagogically Sound Online Learning of Vocabulary Through the New General Service List Project

Invited Presenter: Charles Browne

Business Meeting: 15:30-16:00

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How to reach the library and /or park your car

1 Obtain a parking permit at the guard station at the main gate.

2 Then, go to the visitor's parking lot entrance(来客用駐車場入口)

3　Walk to the library from the parking lot.

 

 

Please Join us for Another Exciting Event!

Speaker: Dr. Charlie Browne

Title: Online Learning of Vocabulary through the New General Service List Project

In this session the presenter will briefly introduce his New General Service List Project, a collection of 7 free corpus-based word lists designed to meet the needs of 2nd language learners. Dr. Browne will then demonstrate their large and growing collection of free online tools for teaching and learning these words as well as using the wordlists for content creation and text simplification.

Bio: Dr Browne is Professor of Applied Linguistics and TESOL at Meiji Gakuin University and creator of their EFL teacher-training program as well as Director of the MA and PhD Programs and Director of the New General Service List Project. He has been in Japan since 1985 and actually served as the first National Chairman of the JET Program back in 1987. Though ancient by most standards he is still quite active with distance biking, running, gym workouts and long walks with his dog.

☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆

Time: February 17, 2024 13:00-16:00

Location: Yokohama Youth Center at Kannai Hall & Zoom - - Please contact us for Zoom Link <yojaltpresident@yojalt.org>

   Yokohama Youth: Seishonen Ikusei Center

   Address: B1F Kannai Hall, 4-42-1 Sumiyoshi-cho, Naka-ku, Yokohama 231-8454, Japan

   7 minutes walk from Kannai Station on JR Negishi Line

   5 minutes walk from Kannai Station (Yokohama Municipal Subway Blue Line)

   5 minutes walk from Bashamichi Station (Minatomirai Line)

   https://yokohama-youth.jp/ikusei/access/　(in Japanese)

This is a hybrid event. If you would like to attend online, register by emailing yojaltpresident@yojalt.org

 

AI Tools for Language Teaching and Learning

Event Speaker(s): Dr. Louise Ohashi
Sunday, April 21, 2024 - 1:30pm
AIINA - Rm 602

 

AI technology has taken a huge leap, with developments offering many benefits for language education, but also posing challenges. This session introduces a range of useful AI tools and demonstrates productive ways they can be used to assist teachers and foster learning. It also explores how to reduce unethical use by students and increase their AI literacy. There will be opportunities to try some of the tasks that are introduced, so attendees are encouraged to bring a laptop, tablet and/or smartphone.

 

Dr. Louise Ohashi (Gakushuin University) specializes in second language acquisition and language education. Her research areas include learner autonomy, motivation, and the use of technology for language teaching and learning. She also loves learning languages (Japanese, Italian, French, Spanish and German). Twitter @OhashiLou

 

Conference Theme: “Examining the Impact of Feedback: A Conversation about Giving and Receiving Feedback”

This year’s conference will focus on feedback involving the language learner: teacher-to-student, student-to-student, and student-to-teacher. It will explore the reasons and motivations for feedback as well as tools to make the process easier and techniques to help participants in providing and accepting honest feedback.

 

LLL & ALL SIG Mini Conference in Conjunction with ETJ

We are thrilled to invite you to the ETJ (English Teachers of Japan) event in Tokyo on February 3rd and February 4th at  Otsuma Women’s University. The Expo includes a series of presentations and forums hosted by JALT’s Lifelong Language Learning (LLL) Special Interest Group and the Accessibility in Language Learning (ALL) Special Interest Group. The LLL and ALL SIGs are holding their joint Mini Conference at this Expo.

To view the overall schedule of the entire ETJ Expo offerings (with the LLL and ALL-affiliated presentations clearly marked), refer to these PDFs, which correspond to each day of the conference Saturday, Feb. 3rd and Sunday, Feb. 4th.

 

Saturday schedule

https://ltprofessionals.com/wp-content/uploads/Tokyo-Schedule-Saturday-4.pdf

Sunday schedule

https://ltprofessionals.com/wp-content/uploads/Tokyo-Schedule-Sunday-4.pdf

 

This event promises to be an important platform for sharing ideas, strategies, and experiences in making language learning more accessible and sustainable throughout the life span. Whether you are an experienced teacher or just starting out in the profession, your participation will contribute enormously to this engaging dialogue.

See the abstracts below to get a better idea of what the presentations in the ALL and LLL stream of the conference will be focused on.

Looking forward to your presence at this enlightening and transformative event!

Clear skies,

Joseph Dias

Lifelong Language Learning SIG Coordinator

 

Fee

ETJ members: 500 yen each day

Non-members can join ETJ free of charge on the day of the Expo or online at:

https://ltprofessionals.com/etjform

 

—— SATURDAY PRESENTATIONS (all in Room 525)——

Be the Key

     11:15-12:00 Saturday, Feb. 3, 2024 

     5th Floor, Room 525

     Catherine Takasugi

Based on current doctoral research focused on understanding families’ experiences of youth refusing to attend school in Japan. When biethnic youth in Japan refuse to go to school there are an array of factors contributing to the absences. Neurodiversity has a significant impact on school attendance. Cultural elements also contribute in both negative and positive ways in terms of framing the experience and finding solutions. In this brief presentation I will share what I have learned from parents of school refusers regarding that key element in getting kids back to school. A teacher, a parent, a friend, or a sport can make all the difference for a family who is experiencing school refusal. Come learn how you can be that key!

 

Diverse ways of meeting diverse needs

     2:15-3:00, Saturday Feb. 3, 2024 

     5th Floor, Room 525

    Andrew Reimann, Ryota Moriya, Natsuki Suzuki, Catherine Takasugi, Mike Yap

Japanese schools are struggling to catch up to their western counterparts by providing an array of accommodations for students with various developmental, emotional, and psychological issues, but teachers are often still left to fend for themselves. This roundtable will show teachers how they might accommodate to more diverse student bodies.

 

Building a rainbow between students, methods and materials

      4:45-5:30  Saturday,  Feb. 3, 2024 

      5th Floor, Room 525

      Natsuki Suzuki, Rinka Ishino, Mokuren Yokozeki

Presenters will discuss activities and materials they use to reach, inspire and motivate different learners. By spending time outside class, getting to know students, the presenters demonstrate how to creatively customize methods to best support learners, highlighting challenges, methods and outcomes in elementary, junior and senior high schools.

 

 

—— SUNDAY PRESENTATIONS ——

Activities to foster a lifelong learning approach to food culture

      11:15 AM - 12:00 PM, Sunday,  Feb. 4, 2024

      5th Floor, Room 525

      Joseph Dias

The presenter will introduce activities that have been developed over a 10-year period for a CLIL course that helps students better appreciate food by considering global issues in the context of World Food Day, and by looking at cultural aspects through poems, restaurant reviews, cookbooks, and award-winning food blogs.

 

Accommodations for Students with Specific Learning Difficulties

      12:30 PM - 1:15 PM,  Sunday,  Feb. 4, 2024 

      3rd floor, Room 335

       Michael Y. Yap

It’s the beginning of the school term. Your materials are ready, activities prepared and lesson ready-to-go. Then you hear, “Some students have a disability. Please support them.” What now? Learn the different types of accommodation that can be used in teaching, and supporting language learners with diverse needs.

 

Language teacher wellbeing: How we can enhance it

     4:45 PM - 5:30 PM,  Sunday,  Feb. 4, 2024 

     5th Floor, Room 525

     Chiyuki Yanase

The advancement of technology, global environmental changes, and the ongoing pandemic have added extra stress and responsibilities to language teachers. This presentation delves into the critical topic of language teacher wellbeing, examining its impact on educators and students. It explores activities and strategies to enhance teacher wellbeing by highlighting practical approaches to promoting mental, physical, and emotional health.

 

Photographs of the routes from three nearby stations

From Ichigaya

https://ltprofessionals.com/wp-content/uploads/Ichigaya-Expo-Route-Photos-1.pdf

From Hanzomon

https://ltprofessionals.com/wp-content/uploads/Hanzomon-Expo-Route-Photos.pdf

From Kudanshita

https://ltprofessionals.com/wp-content/uploads/Kudanshita-Expo-Route-Photos.pdf

 

-------------------

You are welcome to attend for the whole of the Expo or just drop in for a while. Each presentation lasts 45 minutes and is independent from the other presentations, so you can come and go as you please.

 

Here is some information you may find helpful:

What to do when you arrive

Please go to the registration desk on the 3rd floor of building G.

 

Address

Building G, Otsuma Women's University, Chiyoda Campus, 12 Sanban-cho,, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 102-8357

Directions

https://ltprofessionals.com/wp-content/uploads/Otsuma-directions.pdf

Google maps link

https://www.google.com/maps/dir//35.6906148,139.7436355/@35.6873365,139.7363291,15.01z/data=!4m2!4m1!3e2?entry=ttu

On Saturday, 24th February, 6:30-8:30pm, we have not one, not two, but three presentations by Shudo University Master's students!

Normally, we, the teachers, are the ones talking, but the stage is set for three Master's students to share their experiences.

Kojiro Hozawa - An investigation of language ideologies in discourses on English education in present-day Japan
Alexander Hay - Understanding English learner's laughter
Yui Miura - English prosody instruction for second language learners — Mirroring and Channeling

Event to be held at Eikei University of Hiroshima, 4th floor 
1-5 Noboricho, Naka Ward, Hiroshima, 730-0016
https://maps.app.goo.gl/uWGKgUCJSzdxrYgZ8

 

 

Back to School 2024 is Osaka JALT’s 14th annual spring conference aiming to share ideas on a wide range of topics related to language teaching and learning to help everyone in the new academic year. This year's conference will again be in person at Osaka Jogakuin University, near Tamatsukuri station on the JR Loop Line and Nagahori Tsurumi-Ryokuchi Metro line. It will also again be an Open Campus day at OJU, so there will be additional presentations there that participants in the conference can attend as well.

Click here to PRE-REGISTER. It's not required, but it will help us have a better idea of how many to expect and will help expedite things at the conference registration desk.

Everyone who attends the conference is required to agree to JALT's Code of Conduct.

Registration opens at 9:30 am, and the first presentations begin at 10 am. We will conclude at around 5:30 pm.

Click here to see the tentative SCHEDULE for the day. To make the most of our limited time together, we strongly encourage everyone to bring a bento lunch that can be eaten at the outdoor picnic tables, weather permitting, or in the cafeteria, or in any classroom other than Room 209 (the amphitheater).

Click here to read more about the PRESENTERS and their PRESENTATIONS. There will also be displays by Pearson, the General Union, and JALT's Materials Writers SIG.

We look forward to seeing you at OJU on Sunday, April 28th for what is sure to be another great day of learning and networking!