The Japan Association for Language Teaching

Kobe Chapter

(Read the archived description for the Kobe Chapter)

Kobe Chapter Events in 2007

Events archive by year:
2008 [7]; 2007; 2006 [10]; 2005 [7]; 2004 [6]; 2003 [7]; 2002 [9]; 2001 [8];

Saturday, January 27th, 2007

The New TOEIC Test : Understanding and Overcoming the Challenges

Speaker: Grant Trew
Time: 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM (Sat., January 27th, 2007)
Fee (JALT members): free
Fee (One-Day members): free
Prefecture: Hyogo
City: Kobe
Venue: Kobe YMCA (2-7-15 Kano-cho, Chuo-ku, Kobe. tel: 078-241-7204)
Description: The TOEIC Test is the primary tool for assessing English proficiency in Japan. The change to the test format in May 2006 has significant implications both for students and educators, who will need both an understanding of the changes and appropriate preparation to deal with them.

This workshop aims to clarify the changes to the test, highlight the impact and implications for both test takers and teachers and present some approaches to overcoming the problems Japanese learners are likely to face. The presenter will give examples of the new format and use interactive tasks to highlight some of the key challenges test takers will face.

Saturday, April 21st, 2007

Content Teaching Ideas for Low-Level Classes

Speaker: Stephen Ryan
Time: 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM (Sat., April 21st, 2007)
Fee (JALT members): free
Fee (One-Day members): 1,000 yen
Prefecture: Hyogo
City: Kobe
Venue: Kobe YMCA (2-7-15 Kano-cho, Chuo-ku, Kobe. tel: 078-241-7204)
Description: The trend towards teaching content through the medium of English is firmly established in Japanese universities. Much of the literature available, however, refers to Intermediate and Advanced learners of English.

Drawing on experience of teaching various content areas, such as Non-verbal Communication, Intercultural Communication and the History of Space Exploration, to students with only an Elementary level of English, the presenter will share his philosophical approach to this task, as well as giving examples of many practical materials he has developed.

Sunday, May 20th, 2007

Japanese Public Elementary School Life and International School Life: How Do They Compare?

Speaker: Amanda Gillis-Furutaka
Time: 2:30 PM - 4:30 PM (Sun., May 20th, 2007)
Fee (JALT members): free
Fee (One-Day members): free
Prefecture: Hyogo
City: Kobe
Venue: Kobe Regatta and Athletic Club (www.krac.org) 1-20, 2-chome, Hachiman-dori, Chuo-ku, Kobe 651-0085
Description: Parents with children approaching school age face many important decisions about their children's education. The first of these is often whether to send their child to the local Japanese school or to an international school. The speaker has children in both kinds of school and will show the daily life in both types of school and explain differences in the teaching approach and curriculum content. There will be plenty of time for questions and it is hoped that members of the audience will feel better informed when the time comes to make this difficult first decision. After the presentation, there will be a barbecue. The cost is 2000 yen per head, please contact Shirley Ando (shirley@otemae.ac.jp) if you want to join the BBQ. Bring your kids - they can play in the club's garden area during the meeting (we will have people supervising).

Saturday, June 30th, 2007

Managing and teaching in coordinated English language programs

Speaker: Heidi Evans and Juanita Heigham
Time: 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM (Sat., June 30th, 2007)
Fee (JALT members): free
Fee (One-Day members): 1,000 yen
Prefecture: Hyogo
City: Kobe
Venue: Kobe YMCA (2-7-15 Kano-cho, Chuo-ku, Kobe. tel: 078-241-7204)
Description: In many universities, new departments and existing programs are moving towards coordination, meaning teachers use common syllabi and materials to reach shared goals and objectives across course sections. This presentation will focus on how coordination benefits an institution, its teachers, and students. The facilitators will begin with a short overview of their contexts, followed by a discussion of the rewards and challenges of coordinated programs.

Saturday, September 29th, 2007

1) Hands-on Teacher Development: The CELTA in Japan 2) Peace Education in the Language Classroom

Speaker: 1) Craig Jennings & Jan Visscher 2) Kip Cates
Time: 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM (Sat., September 29th, 2007)
Fee (JALT members): free
Fee (One-Day members): 1,000 yen
Prefecture: Hyogo
City: Kobe
Venue: Kobe YMCA (2-7-15 Kano-cho, Chuo-ku, Kobe. tel: 078-241-7204)
Description: This month we have two 90 minute presentations:

1) The Cambridge CELTA is arguably the most widely recognised teacher training course worldwide and hands-on experience is its most distinguishing aspect. The presenters will try to give a sense of what the CELTA is like from the viewpoint of teacher educators, practicing teachers and teachers in training. Participants will be able to experience some typical aspects of this programme and the specific benefits of the CELTA for teachers in Japan will be discussed.

2) How can language teaching in schools around the world help to promote peace? How can foreign language educators contribute to international understanding between peoples, cultures and nations? This presentation will describe a peace education approach to language teaching aimed at promoting the knowledge, skills and commitment needed for achieving a peaceful world. Participants will examine peace education teaching materials, experience innovative peace education activities designed for EFL students in Japan, and discuss how these could be adapted for different ages, levels and teaching situations.

Saturday, December 15th, 2007

Chapter Potpourri Meeting and Bonenkai

Speaker: TBA
Time: 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM (Sat., December 15th, 2007)
Fee (JALT members): free
Fee (One-Day members): 1,000 yen
Prefecture: Hyogo
City: Kobe
Venue: Kobe YMCA (2-7-15 Kano-cho, Chuo-ku, Kobe. tel: 078-241-7204)
Description: Kobe chapter members will present.

Please join us for our annual bonenkai afterwards.

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The Japan Association for Language Teaching
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Tel: 0352885443