全国語学教育学会

Kyoto Chapter

a nonprofit organisation dedicated to the improvement of language teaching and learning

2009logo

JALT2010

36th Annual International Conference on Language Teaching and Learning & Educational Materials Expo

 

JALT Kyoto Chapter

Past Events

Teaching Gender-Related Issues in the Classroom

Co-sponsored by JALT Gender Awareness in Language Education SIG

Folake Abass & Robert Ó’Móchain

The two presenters provided a much-needed focus on gender-related issues in the EFL classroom.

Ms. Abass addressed gender stereotypes and exploring ways to encourage students to develop the critical intelligence necessary to move beyond culturally inherited stereotypes. Mr. Ó’Móchain discussed representations of masculinities on Japanese television and how his observations can be reported in EFL classrooms as part of a gender-awareness syllabus. Discussion circles followed for opinion and idea exchange.

Biodata

Folake Abass is an English lecturer at Kyoto Sangyo University. Her research interests language and advertising especially as it applies to gender.

Robert Ó’Móchain has completed both M. Ed and Ed. D. programs at Temple University Japan. Research interests include linguistic creativity in humorous communication and gender and sexuality in educational contexts.

Getting Back to Basics in English Language Teaching 

David Barker

In this presentation, veteran English instructor and author of seven books and several newspaper columns for Japanese learners of English, David Barker, argued for a renewed focus on 'old-fashioned' approaches that have served language teachers and learners well for centuries.

"The history of English Language Teaching has been characterized by a stream of ever-changing fashions and trends. Proponents of new methodologies have urged teachers and learners to abandon all their old tools and techniques and embrace the new dogma, and all too often teachers have been willing to follow unquestioningly. Barker argued that an obsession with 'communicative' activities and educational materials can be detrimental to both teachers and learners."

Barker outlined what he considers to be the most important 'basic principles' of language learning, and presented 'basic principles' of language learning and discuss how these can be applied to classroom methodology.

In the second half of his presentation, Barker introduced some of his books and explained how it relates to his principles of teaching.

Note: This presentation, a semi-commercial event, was awarded Best of JALT 2009, Best Presentation of 2008 by Toyohashi JALT, and also well-received by Hokkaido JALT at their annual conference.


My Share and Troubleshooting

This was an event open to all teachers, from experienced to newbie! The event was an excellent opportunity for instructors to get some advice or offer suggestions on language teaching and learning.

2:45—3:15  Thoughts on Teaching Large Classes

Julian Pigott
View pesention slides.

Abstract: In this presentation, Pigott suggested techniques for teaching large classes in high school and university. He focused on social aspects of learning and teaching such as teacher-student rapport, group-cohesion, classroom management, and the Japanese context. Finally, he presented examples of lessons he feels that work particularly well.

3:15—3:45  Using Cell Phones for ESL Learning

Paul Evans
View presention slides.

Abstract: All students have cell phones, and use them with great enthusiasm, every day, all day. Evans outlined the work he has done on cell phone use in the EFL classroom. He shared his vision for where and how he thinks it can be carried further, and explained his ideas for how other people might join him.

4:00—4:30  Methods for Successful Group Work

Ted Bonnah
View presentation slides.

Abstract: Unsatisfied with group work in your classes? Bonnah explained the methods for getting the most from group activities. Based on experience in university and junior and senior high classes, this presentation was for all teachers grappling with large class sizes, demanding syllabi, and evaluation requirements.

4:30—5:00  Wringing the Text

Carl Nommensen
View presentation handout.

Many teachers use textbooks containing written texts. Most classroom manipulation of those texts ends with follow-up exercises outlined in the text itself. In this presentation, Nommensen introduceds two classroom activities in which students enthusiastically engage with a written text in review, developing familiarity and productive competence with the vocabulary, while practicing syntax, writing, speaking, and listening, and having fun.


Privilege-a Photography Project of English Teachers in Japan 

Digital artist and English teacher, Gary McLeod, presented PRIVILEGE, a photography project that bridges artistic and academic practices. Having photographed and interviewed 97 English teachers around Japan, McLeod presented his collection of photographs and read aloud samples of his participants' words. This was followed by Q&A / discussion. 


Kyoto JALT’s Apple Day: Using iPods /iPhones in the ELT classroom

This event is for veteran techies and newbies alike! Matthew Walsh of Momoyama Gakuin High School and Craig Hagerman of Osaka Jogakuin University will lead a cutting-edge session on using iPods and iPhones in your ELT classroom. Learn the basics, discover ELT related applications, and participate in a hands-on model lesson workshop!

Schedule


Presentations by Professional Development Scholarship Recipients and End-of-the-Year Luncheon

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.

10:30—10:45   

Registration

10:45—12:30   

Kyoto Development Scholarship Winners’ Conference Report (including a break)

12:30—1:30   

End-of-Year Luncheon *FREE* sandwiches (from Subway)

Come and meet the Kyoto Chapter Officers for 2009-2010!

To view list of the newly elected chapter officers, go here!

Kyoto JALT Scholarships Winners

Kyoto JALT is proud to announce the winners of the 2009 Kyoto Professional Development Scholarships to the 35th Annual JALT International Conference on Language Teaching and Learning & Educational Materials Expo at the Granship, Shizuoka.

Congratulations to Paul Evans & Glen Cochrane! Both winners will be reporting on how the conference helped them with their professional development.

Kyoto – Are You Ready?

Presentation Practice Session for JALT National Conference


Kyoto JALT Business Meeting and 2009-2010 Chapter Officer Elections

Presenting at the JALT National conference this year? Need an audience to practice in front of? Want valuable feedback and helpful advice from your fellow peers?

The conference is fast approaching, and now is the time to prepare! Try out your presentation or just come out and be a part of the audience! Send your presentation abstract along with your name and contact info to KyotoJALT by September 27th.

Presentations and feedback time will be followed by a brief chapter business meeting with 2009/2010 chapter elections - your vote counts! Interested in joining our team of officers? Contact the Kyoto chapter president for more information.

Using drama activities with diverse levels of university students

Sandra Healy and Amanda Gillis-Furutaka


of Kyoto Sangyo University

As teachers, we are always looking for ways to motivate and engage our learners, particularly at university level in Japan. One way to do this is through the use of drama and drama-related activities.

Amanda Gillis-Furutaka and Sandra Healy discussed practical ways in which to introduce drama into the classroom.

Sandra Healy described approaches using Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet” with lower level students. Amanda Gillis-Furutaka described an elective course, which follows a task-based approach, for 3rd year English majors.

  

Stories That Need To Be Told

A film screening by an award-winning Japanese Canadian

伝えるべき物語 日系カナダ人監督による映画の上映とトーク

Speaker: Linda Ohama

 lindaohama/oba

Linda Ohama, a filmmaker and visual artist, showed her international award-winning film, Obaachan's Garden (with Japanese subtitles). This is the story of a remarkable journey of strength, love and determination of one woman`s life of over 100 years.

It was a moving film about the life of Asayo Imamoto Murakami, who was born in Onomichi, Hiroshima, and who was sent to Canada in 1923. She was the last picture bride living in Canada when she passed away just short of her 105th birthday.

Ohama, the granddaughter of the film’s heroine, shared some behind-the-scenes experiences of the making of this film and also spoke of her work on her next film.

Biodata

Linda Ohama, a third-generation Japanese Canadian, is a filmmaker, an accomplished visual artist, an educator, and an active citizen, strongly committed to preserving cultural heritage and promoting educational and cultural exchange.

Her artwork and films have received numerous international awards. She is currently in Japan working on her next project.

リンダ・オハマ監督（日系カナダ人３世）の「おばあちゃんのガーデン」を上映いたします (日本語字幕)。この映画は広島県の尾道市で生まれ、写真による見合い結婚で1923年にカナダに渡り、105歳目前に亡くなったアサヨ・イマモト・ムラカミさんの一生を描いた感動の作品です.

オハマ監督は主人公の孫にあたります。映画上映と合わせて、オハマ監督には映画製作の裏話や現在日本で製作中の次回作について話していただきます。また、オハマ監督が日本とカナダの両国で関わっているアートワークと地域活動についても語っていただきます.

オハマ監督は日系カナダ人として、エスニック・グループの文化遺産の保存に努め、教育交流や文化交流にも力を注いでいます.

Co-sponsored by: Kyoto JALT, Osaka JALT, Osaka Gakuin University and SIETAR Kansai.

  

Brain Compatible Learning

Dr. Curtis Kelly


Brain Studies and the Science of Learning

The focus of this keynote presentation was on brain-based teaching and learning-centered activities.

MASH Collaboration Poster Session

Marcos Benevides, Curtis Kelly, Steven Herder, Fergus O'Dwyer and others.

For further information about this event, please contact Kyoto JALT Program Chair, Michi Saki, or MASH Collaborator, Steve Herder.

  

Group Building in the Classroom

Speaker: Warren Decker

 

The aim of this presentation was to give teachers a set of practical activities that can be used to create a positive group dynamic in a language class. The activities were focused on the following objectives:

During the presentation participants actively engaged in these activities and also took time to discuss the ideas underlying them. The audience began with very basic name learning techniques, progressing to more challenging teamwork exercises. Finally, the floor was opened to give participants a chance to share their favorite group building activities with each other.

This presentation involved lots of movement and interaction.Handout for this presentation can be found here.

Biodata

Warren Decker is an English teacher at Momoyama Gakuin University in Osaka. In the classroom, his interests include group building and encouraging students’ creativity and confidence. Outside of the classroom, he likes to go camping with his family, bake bread, and grow vegetables.

  

D.R.E.A.M Management in the ELT Context

Speaker: John Honisz-Greens

 

The DREAM Management workshop introduced a thought provoking alternative model of management designed for the ELT context. DREAM, an acronym, suggests policies that will help keep quality teaching and learning as the core value of the institution.

The workshop introduced the DREAM principles while at the same time causing reflection on current coordinating and management practices. Through the sharing of the DREAM principles and each other’s experiences, participants left with ideas on how to improve as managers, to bring the best out of themselves and their staff.

Biodata

John Honisz-Greens is a Associate Lecturer of English in the School of Policy Studies at Kwansei Gakuin University. He has been living in Japan for 12 years and his academic interests also include Socio-linguistics, EAP Writing, and Vocabulary acquisition.

  
Mash '09 Acknowledgments

February 2009

"On behalf of the organizers of MASH and Kyoto JALT, we would like to express our thanks and gratitude to all of you who spent so much time and effort into making the KYOTO JALT MASH '09 more than just a fantastic event, but a HUGE success!"

All participants commented enthusiastically on the many impressive presentations throughout the day, exchanging exciting ideas and helpful advice.  The room was buzzing with conversation right up until the end of the day. Discussion continued at the after-event party held at The Hill of Tara, helped along with good food and drink, good music and great company.

View pictures of event!

Thank you for making MASH '09 a success!

  
Kyoto JALT was pleased to co-host this one-day event with the MA TEFL students in the University of Birmingham Distance MA program. Attendees enjoyed a full day of poster sessions and 20-minute presentations in beautiful Kyoto.
09:30 — Registration
10:00 — Welcome and "Early Bird Meishi Lottery"
10:15 — Poster Session I (abstracts)

Poster Session I: "Talking about Practice in the Classroom"

11:45 — Lunch (BYO and enjoy some networking)
12:30 — 20-minute Presentations (plus 10-min Q&A) (abstracts)

Presentations

2:00 — Feedback Circle
2:30 — Reflection and Refresh
3:00 — Poster Session II (abstracts)

Poster Session II: "Talking about Theory for the Classroom"

4:30 — Registration
  

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