The Japan Association for Language Teaching

Ibaraki Chapter

(Read the archived description for the Ibaraki Chapter)

Ibaraki Chapter Events in 2003

Events archive by year:
2008 [4]; 2007 [6]; 2006 [7]; 2005 [7]; 2004 [6]; 2003; 2002 [5]; 2001 [8];

Sunday, February 16th, 2003

Motivating Learners Through Pain and Pleasure

Speaker: Kevin Knight, Educational Director, Kanda Gaigo Career College
Time: 1:30 PM - 5:00 PM (Sun., February 16th, 2003)
Fee (JALT members): free
Fee (One-Day members): 500 yen
Prefecture: Ibaraki
City: Mito
Venue: Mito Kokusai Koryu Center, 6-59 Bizen-machi, Mito City, t: 029-221-1800 (Located behind Bon Belta Isejin Department Store)
Description: One of the key difficulties in motivating Japanese language learners is the paradigm which they may have about language learning. At Kanda Gaigo Career College, a number of unique and effective techniques adapted from the corporate training field and original in creation have been used to change this paradigm, resulting in increased learner confidence, motivation, and performance. This presentation will involve the audience in specific activities that have been used to create this paradigm shift.

  • I can be fluent? Prove it!
  • Which is stronger - pain or pleasure?
  • Controlling your fear!
  • English is "air"!
  • Linking pain to not speaking English
  • Linking pleasure to speaking English
  • What % of English is words?
  • "Jan-ken-pon" in action!
Kevin Knight has had over 15 years of experience as an instructor at educational institutions in Japan and the United States including the University of California (Davis and San Diego), San Diego State University, Sony Enterprise Inc., and Toyo Eiwa. Additionally, he has business experience in financial services, import-export, and accounting. He is currently Educational Director at Kanda Gaigo Career College, where he designs various onsite and online programs for learners ranging from children to adults (primarily employees in companies and government ministries) and is engaged in online teacher training.

Sunday, April 20th, 2003

Genki English: Elementary School English

Speaker: Richard Graham, Will Jasprizza
Time: 1:30 PM - 5:00 PM (Sun., April 20th, 2003)
Fee (JALT members): free
Fee (One-Day members): 500 yen
Prefecture: Ibaraki
City: Hitachi
Venue: Ibaraki Christian University, Oomika-cho, Hitachi City
Description: The presentation will discuss the Monbukagakusho guidelines for English at the elementary school level and how to implement those guidelines in a fun, motivating way. Education consultants Richard Graham and Will Jasprizza will cover a range of topics including thinking like a kid, making use of games, how to use songs, class control, and motivation techniques. Will and Richard will demonstrate, using the Genki English CDROM songs and software, how technology can make language teaching easy! And remember - no passive watching - everyone will try the activities for themselves! The last part of the presentation will be open for Q and A.

Sunday, May 18th, 2003

I Say "Tomayto", You Say "Tomahto": Exploring Variation in Language

Speaker: Kathleen Yamane
Time: 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM (Sun., May 18th, 2003)
Fee (JALT members): free
Fee (One-Day members): 500 yen
Prefecture: Ibaraki
City: Mito
Venue: Tsuchiura Ulara Bldg.--Kennan Shougai-Gakushuu Center (across from Tsuchiura Station)
Description: As the song suggests, we all speak dialects. The purpose of this workshop is to explore the linguistic nature of regional speech varieties and applications for the classroom. The first part of the presentation will be a general discussion of variation in language, including a basic framework for considering language change over time and space. About the presenter: Kathleen Yamane has an MA in linguistics from Cornell University. She teaches at Eichi (Sapientia) University in Hyogo Prefecture. Her research interests include sociolinguistics and semantics.

Sunday, September 21st, 2003

Learning to Speak English in Bob's World

Speaker: Bob Betts, Ibaraki University
Time: 1:30 PM - 5:00 PM (Sun., September 21st, 2003)
Fee (JALT members): free
Fee (One-Day members): 500 yen
Prefecture: Ibaraki
City: Mito
Venue: Ibaraki University, Mito
Description: For teachers in exam preparation environments, trying to make the decision whether or not to teach speaking skills is always a difficult one. How much classroom time should be devoted to a skill not on high school or university entrance exams? The answer lies in balancing students' needs and desires. Students need to prepare for examinations, but their desire is to speak English like a native speaker. This workshop presents effective ways to teach conversation and discussion strategies, and how to assess speaking skills in foreign language classrooms.

Sunday, October 12th, 2003

Sign Language in the Language-Teaching Classroom

Speaker: Martin Pauly, Mariko Miyao, and Cecilia Ikeguchi
Time: 1:30 PM - 5:00 PM (Sun., October 12th, 2003)
Fee (JALT members): free
Fee (One-Day members): 500 yen
Prefecture: Ibaraki
City: Tsukuba
Venue: Tokyo Kasei Gakuin (Tsukuba Women's University)
Description: Deaf and hard-of-hearing students are entering regular mainstream schools and mainstream society. A knowledge of Sign Language may aid teachers and hearing students in communicating with, and for creating a more friendly environment for, these students. Three teachers, who are neither specialists in Deaf Education nor experts at Sign Language, will introduce the audience to a different language and a different culture and will demonstrate strategies for introducing Sign language into the classroom.

Sunday, December 7th, 2003

Echoes of Shizuoka 2003 - Reports on the National conference

Speaker: Chapter members who attended the National Conference
Time: 1:30 PM - 5:00 PM (Sun., December 7th, 2003)
Fee (JALT members): free
Fee (One-Day members): 500 yen
Prefecture: Ibaraki
City: Mito
Venue: Tsuchiura Ulara Bldg.--Kennan Shougai-Gakushuu Center (across from Tsuchiura Station)
Description: Chapter members who attended the National JALT Conference at Granship Shizuoka will report on presentations they attended. They will also share their impressions of the conference.

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The Japan Association for Language Teaching
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Tel: 0352885443