Dear ALL Members,
We are thrilled to invite you to the ETJ (English Teachers of Japan) event in Tokyo on February 3rd at Otsuma Women’s University. The event includes a series of presentations and forums hosted by ALL SIG Members and officers covering a wide array of accessibility issues.
Event Site
https://ltprofessionals.com/expos/?fbclid=IwAR23CG30l9nwdOHyushEh-2g4qfl...
Location
https://www.google.com/maps/dir//35.6906148,139.7436355/@35.6873365,139.7363291,15.01z/data=!4m2!4m1!3e2?entry=ttu
Saturday, Feb. 3rd
- Accessibility in Practice by Natsuki Suzuki and Andrew Reimann (11:15 AM - 12:00 PM, Room 525): Engage in practical discussions about accessibility issues and strategies for a diverse range of students.
- Diverse Ways of Meeting Diverse Needs by Natsuki Suzuki, Rinka Ishino, Mokuren Yokozeki (2:15 PM - 3:00 PM, Room 525): Learn about accommodating diverse student bodies in Japanese schools.
- Building a Rainbow between Students, Methods, and Materials by Natsuki Suzuki, Rinka Ishino, Mokuren Yokozeki (4:15 PM - 5:30 PM, Room 525) : A discussion on customizing teaching methods to support learners at various educational levels.
Sunday, Feb. 4th
- Be the Key by Catherine Takasugi (11:15 AM - 12:00 PM, Room 525): A compelling talk based on doctoral research about biethnic youth in Japan, exploring the impact of neurodiversity and cultural elements on school attendance.
- Accommodations for Students with Specific Learning Difficulties by Michael Y. Yap (12:30 PM - 1:15 PM, Room 336): Discover effective teaching accommodations for language learners with diverse needs.
*For more information see abstracts below
This event promises to be an invaluable platform for sharing ideas, strategies, and experiences in making language learning more accessible. Whether you are a teacher, administrator, or student, your participation will contribute greatly to this important conversation.
Looking forward to your presence at this enlightening and transformative event!
Warm regards,
Joseph Kelley
Accessibility in practice
11:15-12:00 Saturday, Feb. 3, 2024
5th Floor, Room 525
Natsuki Suzuki, Andrew Reimann
This talk addresses key issues affecting accessibility in different contexts. Topics considered include supporting a diverse range of students with learning differences. Participants will engage in practical discussions led by experienced professionals in the field. Presenters’ goals are to raise awareness of accessibility issues, by sharing ideas, strategies, and experiences.
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.
Be the Key
11:15 -12:00 Sunday Feb. 4, 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!
Accommodations for students with specific learning difficulties
12:30 PM-13:15 PM Sunday, Feb. 4, 2024
3rd Floor, Room 336
Michael Y. Yap
It’s the beginning of the school term. Your materials are ready, activities are prepared, and the lesson is ready to go. Then you hear, “Some students have some learning difficulties. Please support them.” What now?
Learn the different types of accommodation that can be used in teaching and supporting language learners with diverse needs.
