Gerry Yokota: Teaching Diversity and Equity with the SDGs

Abstract:

Whether we are obliged to use a designated textbook or have freedom of choice in the selection of either commercial textbooks or authentic materials, the perfect text is a holy grail. We must nearly always customize, adapting our materials to suit the needs of our students. In this session, I will first introduce a basic course description that can easily be modified to fit circumstances, and then provide examples of how to adapt various materials to promote awareness of issues such as racism and sexism in an engaging way. Recommended activities include music breaks linked to skills such as writing media reviews, analyzing advertisements to build media literacy skills, and designing public service announcements. Participants will then be invited to share their own ideas in breakout rooms, and finally regroup and share their findings.

Bio:

Gerry Yokota spent her entire full-time teaching career in the School of Language and Culture at Osaka University until semi-retiring in March 2020. She continues to teach part-time in the International College and at Kansai University. Building on her experience as chair of her university’s sexual harassment committee and director of the harassment counseling office, she has also served on the JALT Code of Conduct Committee and is currently a member of the JALT DEI Committee for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. She also serves on the executive board of the GALE SIG for Gender Awareness in Language Education.

Website: https://gerryyokota.academia.edu/