Why are Japanese’ communication skills lagging behind their Asian counterparts? What is missing in Japanese EFL education? What is necessary to achieve fluency? What can Japan learn from EFL/ESL teaching and language environments of other countries? Professionals from diverse cultural background in JALT Ibaraki Chapter will discuss these issues and suggest ways to successfully achieve the goal of effective English instruction in Japanese elementary schools. (Cecilia Ikeguchi)
Venue: Ibaraki University, Mito, Ibaraki-prefecture
Theme: Towards an Effective Implementation of EFL Education in Japan
Date: Ibaraki-JALT Meeting on September 17, 2023
Fee: Members:Free, Non-Members: 500 yen
Venue: Ibaraki University, Mito, Ibaraki-prefecture
Address: 2-1-1, Bunkyo, Mito
Location map in Japanese: https://www.ibaraki.ac.jp/generalinfo/campus/mito/
Access in English: https://www.ibaraki.ac.jp/en/access/
Meeting Room: First Floor of the University Library (in front of the main gate)
------
How to reach the library and/or park your car
The only thing you need to do on the day is to write your name and so on at the main gate. Then the guard will give you a parking card.
Her instructions are:
1. Meet the guard first at the main gate. They’ll give you a parking card.
2. Enter from the right gate (来客用駐車場入り口（Visitor's parking lot entrance). You can park in A or B.
3. Go to the first floor of the library.
(by Rika Otsu)
-----
Morning session:
The speakers in the morning session will describe the general situation of English language education in elementary schools and identify the problems.
10:30: Greeting from the president
10:40-11:00 Presentation 1: Naomi Takagi
Title: Elementary English Education: Goals, Practice, and Challenges
11:00-11:10 Q&A
11:10-11:30 Presentation 2: Rika Otsu
Title: Voluntary Reading English picture books to elementary school students
11:30-11:40 Q&A
11:40-12:00 Presentation 3: Naoko Ochiai
Title: Let's make your classroom a fun place to speak: Empowering Teachers through
Educational Apps and the CEFR
12:00-12:10 Q&A
12:10-13:30 Lunch break
-----
About lunch, there are Coco's and Gusto near the university. Or, we can buy Obento at a convenience store near the university and eat at the table outside the auditorium or nearby park if it's not too hot. (by Rika Otsu)
-----
Afternoon session:
The speakers in the afternoon session will discuss the situation of English in different language environments suggesting reasons based on realities and research why Japan lags behind.
13:30: Greeting from the president
13:40-14:00 Presentation 3: Timothy Cook
Title: ELT situation in Finland
14:00-14:10 Q&A
14:10-14:30 Presentation 4: Deborah Grow
Title: Observations on differences in learning English between Japanese, Chinese & Vietnamese students.
14:30-14:40 Q&A
14:40-15:00 Presentation 5: Cecilia B-Ikeguchi
Title: Look Outside: Issues in FLE Reforms in Japan
15:00-15:10 Q&A
15:10-15:40 Overall comments & discussion
15:40-16:00 Business meeting
