JALT Event

Teaching Sustainable Development Goals: Three Approaches

     The Sustainable Development Goals have attained a dominant place in the public narrative both globally and here, in Japan. As a global phenomenon, it is appropriate that our students become familiar with precisely what they are. Also, it is important that they are able to interact with others in the international community with respect to the social and environmental issues that the SDGs present.

    JALT Hokkaido’s own Tim Grose, Matt Cotter and Don Hinkelman, will give three different, but connected presentations, that offer different perspectives on how and why our students can benefit from a close study of these issues. Abstracts and bios for the presentations can be found the link below

Sunday, December 17, 2023

15:30 - Doors open
16:00 – 17:00 Presentations
17:00 - 17:15 AGM
17:15 ~ Refreshments

This event is free for all members and non-members (bring a friend!) but requires pre-registration. 

Hokkai - Gakuen University, Kyoiku Kaikan , Gakuen Open Lounge Open Lounge. Access at the following link:
https://www.hgu.jp/about/toyohira-campus.html#access

Abstracts and bios at the following link:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Z62N6_mSejPQqMG6BXJLj3HJkqxnmkKw/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=101598486748036841347&rtpof=true&sd=true

Pre-registration form at the following link:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfJDnpnWabYqhbrePW-BXNo2zWDrxgIBDHzUIAvQ7jGyYrTcA/viewform

Join us for an enlightening workshop that delves into the profound global and local applications of narrative inquiry within the realm of language teacher identity research. Narrative inquiry is a meticulous examination of “how individuals employ stories to construct meaning from their experiences in fields of inquiry where comprehending phenomena from the perspectives of those who undergo them is of paramount significance" (Barkhuizen et al., 2014, p. 2). Language teacher identity, on the other hand, encapsulates the manner in which educators perceive themselves as instructors and how they are perceived by others in their role as educators. Throughout this workshop, Professor Barkhuizen and Professor Takaaki Hiratsuka will elucidate the intricacies of narrative inquiry and the concept of language teacher identity. They will underscore the profound advantages of equipping researchers with a deep understanding of narrative inquiry’s fundamental principles in the context of language education. Additionally, they will emphasize the importance of educators being mindful of the evolution of their identities within the specific contexts in which they operate.

Gary Barkhuizen is Professor of Applied Linguistics at the University of Auckland, New Zealand. His teaching and research interests are in the areas of language teacher education, teacher and learner identity, study abroad, and narrative inquiry. Originally from South Africa, he obtained his MA from Essex University in the UK, and his doctorate from Teachers College, Colombia University. His latest book is Language Teachers Studying Abroad: Identities, Emotions and Disruptions (2022, Multilingual Matters). 

Takaaki Hiratsuka is Professor of Applied Linguistics at Ryukoku University in Kyoto, Japan, where he supervises master’s and PhD students, both Japanese and non-Japanese, in related fields of language teacher education and narrative inquiry. His recent book publications include: Narrative Inquiry into Language Teacher Identity: ALTs in the JET program (2022, Routledge), Team Teachers in Japan: Beliefs, Identities, and Emotions (2023, Routledge), and Native-speakerism and Trans-speakerism: Entering a New Era (in press, Cambridge University Press).

This video of the two presenters discussing Professor Barkhuizen's plenary topic will give a good sense of what to expect.

This event is co-sponsored by the Kobe, Kyoto, Nara, Osaka, and Hokuriku Chapters of JALT, and will be held online as part of the 4-Corners Tour in which invited speakers at the annual international JALT conference give additional presentations throughout the country before and after the conference. PLEASE REGISTER HERE to receive the Zoom link.

Join CUE's first "Just Checking In January" event and find an escape from the stress of writing abstracts unguided! We will offer breakout rooms for Focusmate-style "writing accountability partners" and solo rooms for those who want to pop in and out of the "people space," and the main room will serve as a research-brainstorming/social space.

Register here: Link

Note: This event is separate from the PSG/PanSIG/CUE co-sponsored event, which will have its third session at the January ZPD.

If you would like to share what you're doing in the classroom with AI, or to learn from fellow teachers, or perhaps even students - join us! We are aiming for a hybrid event, so that people can join online as well as in person. And this event is open to all, and free! 

Wherever we go, there seems to be a lot of talk about generative AI. It is also impacting our lives as teachers in various ways. The topic for our My Share is more simple and focused: 

What are you doing with generative AI - ChatGPT or any other platform - in or for your classes? 

If you would like to book a 15-minute slot to show what you are doing, just get in touch with Jim Ronald (jmronald@gmail.com) and you'll have that reserved time. We'll also make sure that there is time on the day for "unbooked" My Shares - we want to hear from as many people as we can! 

Join in person at Hiroshima YMCA.

For the Zoom link please email Jim Ronald, (jmronald@gmail.com)

Thank you, and see you there!

1435-1505 – Yukari Kimura: I have been teaching mixed-level English classes at university and searching for fun vocabulary learning activities that meet the needs of beginner learners who struggle to memorize vocabulary and intermediate learners who hope to increase their active vocabulary in speaking. Among successful activities during my teaching experience of 15 years, I would like to share the most popular one, “Keyword Game.” I have tried it with a wide range of age groups, from elementary school to university students and a typical feedback has been, “I was able to memorize English words in a fun way!” I look forward to hearing your suggestions to make it more engaging for students. I would love to see our students having fun with friends and learning vocabulary simultaneously.

1510-1540 – Maria Wilma Capati: In this presentation, I intend to suggest ideas to EFL teachers on ensuring a safe space for everyone in a classroom while ensuring inclusivity among neurodiverse students. My experiences as a neurodivergent myself has motivated me to create a classroom that will give students a positive attitude toward English learning. Although my main focus will be Japanese university students who are non-English majors, I will also share my previous experiences with learners of diverse ages and English levels. By the end of the presentation, I aim to inspire both neurodiverse and neurotypical teachers to view neurodiversity as an opportunity to create a positive atmosphere inside the English classroom.

1545-1615 – Shabna: My presentation explores the connection between ESL teaching styles and AI technology. It involves an interactive quiz that helps educators discover their unique teaching styles in ESL and how they can integrate AI tools. It's a thought-provoking activity that encourages reflection and sparks discussions about the potential of AI in the classroom.

Welcome new and veteran ALTs!!!! This workshop event is for you. This is an opportunity to meet together and share ideas. Whether you teach children, teens, or adults, we welcome all of you. These are our primary My Share leaders. They will get us started, but remember you can share your ideas as well. This is an all-inclusive discussion session!

新人ALTもベテランALTも大歓迎!!!! このワークショップはあなたのためのイベントです。このワークショップはあなたのためのものです。子ども、ティーンエイジャー、大人を教えている方、どなたでも大歓迎です。マイ・シェアの主要なリーダーたちです。彼らが私たちを始めてくれますが、あなたのアイデアを共有することもできます。これは、すべてを含んだディスカッション・セッションです！

John Moale: “Reading passages for fifth-grade elementary school students” – For this activity, I will pass out an article presented in different ways and the audience will choose which one they feel would be best and we can have a quick discussion on what is the best practice towards creating short articles for elementary school students.

Justin Bailey: “A practice for better pronunciation” – When learning a second language you are likely to come across certain pronunciation difficulties in the target language. Japanese learners of English are no exception, and as teachers, we may have noticed some of the challenges our students experience in our classrooms. I would like to introduce a short 10-minute activity that allows students to practice words that are difficult to pronounce using a simple diagram. The diagram helps students to listen to subtle differences in words, and allows them to practice saying these words with their classmates.

If you want to join this event as either a presenter or participant, there is always space. Remember, you don’t need to be a presenter to share your ideas. Send our Program Chair, Wayne Malcolm at: wamalcolmjalt2008@gmail.com a quick message for planning purposes, and we look forward to seeing you on Sunday, October 15!

このイベントに発表者または参加者として参加したい方は、いつでも空きがあります。また、発表者でなくても、アイデアを共有することは可能です。プランニングのために、ウェインマルコムに簡単なメッセージを送る。EMAIL: wamalcolmjalt2008@gmail.com. 10月15日（日）にお会いできることを楽しみにしています！

COST:　FREE FOR ALL JALT MEMBERS and PRESENTERS / 会員とプレゼンター無
　500 yen for NON-JALT MEMBERS (Please pay at the venue) / 非会員 500円
　(会場にてお支払いください)

(We thank DeepL for the Japanese translations. DeepLありがとございました!)

Our next ZPD will be on Tuesday, October 31st, 2023 from 8 PM - 9 PM Japan Time. 
 

This session will have a special focus on the upcoming international conference taking place in Tsukuba, Ibaraki, from Friday, November 24th to Monday, November 27th. Ask any questions about the conference, the program, how to get there, recommendations for restaurants, and anything you might find useful. We'll break up into small groups to discuss a variety of topics. As usual, we will also have an orientation for new officers and new members, tips and best practices in teaching, getting published, Eikawa & ALT Issues, Online teaching, Hybrid teaching, and more. 

Please join us for networking, informal chat, and in building a community of practice with JALT members and prospective members.  Feel free to wear your bat ears or sorcerer's hat as it will be Halloween.

This event is free and open to all. 

The CUE SIG welcomes all teachers, especially those at the tertiary level, to gather and learn from presenters in the Critical Thinking and Materials Writers SIGs as they share insights and inspiration for preparing materials for the new year. Join us on Zoom as we collaborate and create!

More details to follow.

Abstract:

This interactive workshop will overview various aspects of the process of writing for academic publication, including why it may be important to pursue, what to expect when pursuing academic publication, and other potentially related parallel pursuits that prospective authors may want to consider, such as competitive research grants. The presentation will include an overview of options for publishing in JALT Publications, which include The Language Teacher, JALT Journal, and the Postconference Publication. Attendees will be introduced to the journals’ remits and submission guidelines as well as the various peer-reviewed and non-peer-reviewed publication opportunities available. This workshop is aimed toward those who are relatively new to writing for academic publication. However, authors with experience of writing for publication are encouraged to attend; there will be ample time for attendees to share questions and experiences.

Bio:
Dr. Theron Muller is an Associate Professor at the University of Toyama, Japan. He received his doctorate from The Open University, UK in 2018, research that explored the publication practices of Japan-based language teachers. He has published and presented widely on writing for academic publication, English language teaching and learning, and teacher development including in Ilha do Desterro, International Journal of Research & Method in Education, and Writing and Pedagogy. He is active with JALT Publications, currently the Publications Board Chair, and is a founding member of English Scholars Beyond Borders. E-mail: theron@las.u-toyama.ac.jp. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9690-3738 

Date & Time: November 5, 2023, 13:00 - 16:00.
Place:  Aoba-ku Chuo Shimin Center Room #4 （青葉区中央市民センター第４会議室）Map
Free for members; ¥1,000 for non-members; ¥500 for students.

Our October 1 meeting will feature reports from local members on their experiences with study abroad—as organizers, teachers, and/or students. There’ll be plenty of time for discussion, so bring your own stories and questions to share with us, as well.

Jennifer Green - A reflection on short-term study abroad to Victoria, Canada
Tim Phelan - Study tours to Vietnam
Tomomi & Jasmine O'Flaherty - Youth study tour to Australia
Soichi Ota & Ken Schmidt - Study abroad in Sydney: Creating a value-added experience
Marc Helgesen - TBA

Looking forward to a good time of sharing and learning.

Date & Time: October 1, 2023, 14:00 - 17:00.
Place:  Aoba-ku Chuo Shimin Center Room #5 （青葉区中央市民センター第5会議室）Map