Finding a Balance Between Tech and Touch in the Young Learner Classroom

This event, sponsored by Tokyo JALT and the TYL SIG, is for teachers of kids to young adults, so teachers of preschool, kindergarten, elementary school, junior high school, and senior high school, are all encouraged to come! As always, there will be great presentations and lots of time for discussion and networking.

1. Barbara Hoskins Sakamoto

BIO: Barbara Hoskins Sakamoto is co-author of the bestselling Let's Go series, author of "The role of technology in early years language education" (in Early Years Second Language Education: International Perspectives on Theories and Practice)  and director of the International Teacher Development Institute (www.iTDi.pro). She is an English Language Specialist with the U.S. State Department, and has conducted teacher training workshops in Asia, Europe, the Americas, and online. 

ABSTRACT: In this presentation I’ll introduce ways that teachers can incorporate technology tools into their teaching to make learning more inclusive and accessible for all students, but especially for those who need extra support. I’ll try to answer some questions I often hear from teachers, such as When should I consider combining tech and touch? How do I decide? How can I add one more thing to my lesson planning when I’m already overloaded? I’ll introduce some simple guidelines to help you decide when and how to combine tech and touch activities that will save you time ( and maybe your sanity, if you’re feeling overloaded). And finally, we’ll do this with real-classroom examples, showing you step-by step how to create some simple but very effective tech and touch activities. 

2. Budi Azhari Lubis

BIO:  Budi Azhari Lubis is a teacher and co-founder of English Zone, a language school based in Tegal, Central Java in Indonesia. He began his formal ELT career during his high school years as an EFL Teacher in the TAGORE English Course, based on a student-centered teaching approach from India.  After graduating from the State University of Medan in Sumatra, Budi continued his teaching career, working with both children and adults at language schools throughout Indonesia. He is a teaching and learning enthusiast who believes that we grow as individuals through connecting with others and sharing ideas. He also believes that anyone who dares to teach must continue learning.

ABSTRACT: In the constantly changing world of English education, combining technology with tactile hands-on learning activities can have a strong and lasting influence on children’s learning. The dynamic interplay between tech and touch can transform any young learner classroom in a positive and powerful way. However, when access to state-of-the art technology is unreliable or even non-existent, educators must use any available resources to provide meaningful and effective lessons. My presentation will focus on the unique difficulties faced by Indonesian EFL teachers lacking access to stable infrastructure and especially the strategies they use to overcome the challenge of keeping English learning both relevant and motivating.  As educators, we must also be problem-solvers; my presentation will highlight how teachers can make use of resources available to them to give their learners the benefits of both tech and touch. 

3. Naoko Araki Amano 

BIO: Naoko Amano, an Eikaiwa owner and teacher, has twelve years of experience teaching English to young learners at her language school, the Yellow Banana Academy, based in Kishiwada, Osaka. Her journey as an educator has been shaped by her own experience of collaborative learning as well as a passion for intercultural exchange. Inspired by her daughter’s introduction to and progress in English language study, Naoko embarked on her career as a Japanese teacher of English, working to foster communication between local Japanese teachers of English and non-Japanese native English speakers working in Japan. Through a variety of courses as well as a study abroad program to Cairns, Australia, Naoko challenges her students to achieve excellence, to explore the world around them, and to share their knowledge through collaboration. 

ABSTRACT : In my presentation, I will use the term “touch” to mean making connections. Real learning takes place when students' hearts are touched, and parents are more willing to support their childrens’ learning journey when they are included as well. As a teacher of young learners in a language school, I must do both: touch the hearts of students and communicate effectively with parents. By using a variety of technology such as the online dictionary Gamerize, I can help my students practice English outside the classroom in an enjoyable way. Also, the classroom management system ClassDojo enables me to stay in close communication with parents and students as well as tracking attendance. Please join my presentation to see how the effective use of technology can not only enhance students’ learning experience but also build solid communication and trust with parents, facilitating better attendance and better participation in school and study abroad events.