JALT Event

Andy Boon is Associate Professor at Toyo Gakuen University, JALT West Tokyo Program Chair and an Aston University PhD student. He has published articles on teacher development, motivation and methodology.
Presentation 1 - Instruction-giving: Effective Procedural Instructions

Abstract:
Providing students with effective procedural instructions is important for facilitating understanding and encouraging successful learning outcomes in our classes. This presentation examines the communication process between teacher and students during instruction-giving and describes a number of classroom instances where miscommunication took place. After analyzing the nature of these misunderstandings, different methods of issuing task directions in lessons are suggested.

Presentation 2 - Here we are now, motivate us: Motivational teaching strategies

Abstract:

Motivation is a key learner factor that can determine success and progression in the L2 Thus, a vital role for language teachers is maximizing student interest and involvement in a lesson. And yet, how do we change the classroom dynamic to one where learning can take place for all concerned? This session will provide teachers with a number of practical techniques for generating and maintaining student motivation.
Panel Discussion featuring David Carlson of Matsumoto Dental University, Yuko Itoh of Matsumoto University and Koji Matsuoka of Shinshu University.

English teaching is changing. Students have more exposure to foreign culture and travel. English is being introduced as part of primary education. International travel is becoming part of many high school students’ experiences. Asia is growing rapidly and English is becoming the common language of the region. Speaking is becoming part of International tests like TOEFL. In effect, the world is changing, and we need to change with it. This seminar will focus on the 5 years that comprise the three years of Senior High School with the first two years of university. We hope to add to the discussion on how to overcome challenges in preparing students for the future.
(Keynote Lecture) 13:00-14:30
“Be prepared to speak: Teachers as public speakers with confidence and presence.”
Prof. Kazuhiro Nomura, Kobe City University of International Studies
Workshops in Japanese:
1) 10:00-11:00　小学校外国語活動指導実践英語ノートを楽しむアクティビティ
　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　牧野眞貴 関西国際大学
2) 11:10-12:10　日本の英語教育で養成すべきコミュニケーション能力中等高等教育の役割と連携
　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　佐々木緑　吉田桂子　安川佳子 関西国際大学　白木智士 立命館大学
3) 14:40-15:40　　中高の教科書を用いた発音　音読指導
　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　有本純 河内山真理 関西国際大学　山本誠子 神戸学院大学
"Workshops & Presentations in English (Room 501 & Room 502)
Room A: 501
1) 10:00-10:30 “Who said Japanese students can't speak English?”
Jonathan Aliponga & Eugene Vahknenko (Kansai University of International Studies)
2) 10:35-11:05 “Using real-world content to promote cross-cultural communication”
Michael Cahill (Cengage Learning)
3) 11:10-11:40 “Movie Novelization: An ER variant”
Michael Redfield (Osaka University of Economics)
4) 11:45-12:15 “iZone and blended learning: the means to embrace challenges in English pedagogy” Roger Palmer (Pearson Longman)
5) 14: 40-15:10 “E-learning skills checklist for students (and teachers!)”
Michael Wilkins (Kansai University of International Studies)
6) 15:15-15:45 “TOEFL IBT - Understanding the TOEFL test and how to help students prepare” Gerald Williams (Kansai University of International Studies)
7) 15:50-16:10 “Fostering more student autonomy” Craig Gamble (Kansai University of International Studies)
Room B: 502
1) 10:00-10:30 “Creating a community of learners: KUIS model”
Midori Sasaki (Kansai University of International Studies)
2) 10:35-11:05 “Joy of learning English as a foreign language - What forms learners' motivation” Daisuke Kimura (Kansai University of International Studies)
3) 11:10-11:40 “Teacher and Student expectations of effective language teaching as a problem for motivation” Ryan Richardson (Ritsumeikan University)
4) 11:45-12:15 “Confidence is your student’s passport to success”
Yoshiko Hashimoto (Oxford University Press)
5) 14: 40-15:10 “Computers in the classroom: The practices and perceptions of Japanese English teachers” Andrew Sowter (Kansai University of International Studies)
6) 15:15-15:45 “Overcoming challenges and preparing learners for the future through travel motivated projects” Simon Thomas (Osaka Prefecture University)
7) 15:50-16:20
“Attaining proficient pronunciation and reading fluency in high school may contribute significantly to overall English performance for Japanese college students”
Trent G. Spriggs (Kinki University)
"Display of teaching materials (10:00-16:15) Room 505 & Room 506)
Cengage Learning, Oxford University Press, Pearson Longman,
***Lunch is provided by the publishers! (Room 504)
This event is co-sponsored by Kansai University of International Studies, Kobe JALT.

Alastair Graham-Marr, teaches full-time at Tokai University's Shonan campus and is author of Communication Spotlight, published by ABAX. He'll make two presentations:
1. Teaching the Strategies of Speaking: helping students with fluency, involvement and clarification strategies
All of us use strategies when we speak. We use strategies to confirm or clarify what we're saying and what we're hearing. We use strategies to show interest, to maintain and develop conversations. We use strategies that help with fluency. Learners of English in particular use strategies to compensate for their lack of language. Helping students be aware of and learn to apply different communication strategies is both motivating and a knowledge they can put to immediate use.
2. Teaching Listening to Low-Level Learners
Teaching listening effectively means teaching both phonology and knowledge of discourse. A working knowledge of the phonology of natural connected speech, elisions and liaisons, weak forms and reductions helps students with their 'bottom-up' decoding skills. Developing student knowledge of discourse, particularly of scripts (those discourses in English that tend to follow a set pattern) helps them with their 'top-down' predictive skills.
This event is co-sponsored by ABAX publishing. Dinner and drinks at a nearby restaurant will follow the meeting.

The year-end meeting is a potluck dinner open to JALT members, family and friends. Please bring your favorite holiday dish to share. Turkey, stuffing, gravy, and soft drinks will be provided.
In addition, there will be a silent auction for Project Santa with the money going to buy presents for children in local orphanages, so bring items to sell.

Miyake, Nanzan University. In this workshop, participants will learn how portfolios allow for reflection on learning & provide an alternative to standard methods of evaluation. In addition, online sources which aid in student assessment will be introduced. Participants will gain a greater understanding of the varied assessments available to them through activities & materials, & are encouraged to reflect on their own contexts.

Cross-curricular lessons combine English
with other subjects to interest young learners and to let them use English in a real context. Such lessons are common in European ESL classes, but arerare in Japan where the presenter has created an entire
pre-school/elementary cross-curricular program for her new school. This
interactive workshop will demonstrate several classroom-tested
cross-curricular lessons, and explain their appropriateness. See how thesetypes of lessons can invigorate your program!

“For 20 years, I have been teaching “3L” college students (low proficiency, low confidence, low motivation). In order to better understand them, I studied motivation and brain studies related to learning. First, I will explain interesting things we have discovered about learning and then show you how we used them in the Active Skills for Communication series (Cengage Learning).”

After defining a successful communicative task, the presenter will share a variety of student-led activities that generate real communication and enhance conversational skills and strategies. Participants will be asked to take an active role in the workshop and will be able to take away with them a range of practical activities that both engage and motivate learners.

Join us for our end-of-year party at Ark in Moji:
http://members3.jcom.home.ne.jp/arkmoji/access.html
Buffet-style menu with live music. All welcome!
Date: December 12
Time: 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Cost: 3,300 yen (for members and non-members)
Please let us know if you wish to join us.

Winners of Kyoto Chapter’s first annual Professional Development Scholarship Fund will present about their experiences at the 35th Annual JALT International Conference on Language Teaching and Learning & Educational Materials Exposition. A sandwich luncheon to follow presentations.