The Japan Association for Language Teaching

Iwate Chapter

(Read the archived description for the Iwate Chapter)

Iwate Chapter Events in 2002

Events archive by year:
2008 [6]; 2007 [8]; 2006 [10]; 2005 [6]; 2004 [11]; 2003 [10]; 2002; 2001 [9];

Sunday, January 27th, 2002

My Share

Speaker: various
Time: 10:30 AM - 12:30 PM (Sun., January 27th, 2002)
Fee (JALT members): potluck dish
Fee (One-Day members): potluck dish
Prefecture: Iwate
City: Morioka
Venue: Iwate International Plaza
Description: Members are invited to share a favorite game, activity or teaching technique; five to ten minute presentation. Pot Luck New Year's lunch - bring your favorite dish! Contact Mary Burkitt for details and to coordinate lunch menu. 019-647-7185 or email: iwatejalt@hotmail.com

Sunday, February 24th, 2002

Using Videos in the Classroom

Speaker: Michael Unher, Iwate University
Time: 10:30 AM - 12:30 PM (Sun., February 24th, 2002)
Fee (JALT members): free
Fee (One-Day members): 1,000 yen
Prefecture: Iwate
City: Morioka
Venue: Iwate International Plaza
Description: Mr. Unher will discuss using videos in the classroom. Details forthcoming.

Sunday, March 24th, 2002

Interactive Testing and Innovation in EFL

Speaker: Yoshinori J. Watanabe, PhD, Akita University
Time: 10:30 AM - 12:30 PM (Sun., March 24th, 2002)
Fee (JALT members): free
Fee (One-Day members): 1,000 yen
Prefecture: Iwate
City: Morioka
Venue: Iwate Kokusai Koryu (Iwate International Plaza) in Morioka, phone: 019-654-8900.
Description: It is common to claim that if a test were to improve, teaching and learning would accordingly be changed in a better way: hence, a deterministic view of the washback effect of testing. However, the body of empirical research to date indicates that a test itself has little power over test-users, but rather it is test-users who make its effects negative or positive. The idea of interactive testing will be illustrated by referring to a variety of test types, ranging from high-stakes tests (e.g., TOEFL, TOEIC, and STEP, etc.) to low-stakes tests (e.g., in-class tests).

Sunday, April 21st, 2002

Video Ideas for the EFL Classroom

Speaker: Michael Unher, Iwate University
Time: 10:30 AM - 12:30 PM (Sun., April 21st, 2002)
Fee (JALT members): free
Fee (One-Day members): 1,000 yen
Prefecture: Iwate
City: Morioka
Venue: Iwate Kokusai Koryu (Iwate International Plaza) in Morioka, phone: 019-654-8900
Description: The purpose of this presentation is to show various ways video can be used as an integral part of the EFL lesson plan. A variety of videopresentation styles will be demonstrated, with emphasis on how each style can be used as a teaching tool.Participants will be encouraged to discuss their own ideas, as well.It is hoped that by the end of the presentation, participants will feelmore comfortable -- and even excited -- about using video as a tool for language teaching and language learning in their own classroom.

Sunday, May 26th, 2002

The Cancer of Competition: Games in the EFL Classroom

Speaker: Chris Hunt
Time: 10:00 AM - 12:30 PM (Sun., May 26th, 2002)
Fee (JALT members): free
Fee (One-Day members): 1,000 yen
Prefecture: Iwate
City: Morioka
Venue: Iwate Kokusai Koryu (Iwate International Plaza) in Morioka, phone: 019-654-8900
Description: Most teachers now regard the use of games as beneficial to language learning. But little attention has been given to the effect of the structure of the games used. By comparing the structure of competitive games with co-operative games the presenter will demonstrate how the structure of games affect learning. The inherent problems of competitive structures will be outlined and solutions given. By directly experiencing different kinds of game structures participants will come away both with practical new activities to use in the classroom and an understanding of how games fit into the classroom context. (Bi-lingual presentation)

Sunday, June 23rd, 2002

Learning Music and Learning English

Speaker: Charles LeBeau
Time: 10:30 AM - 12:30 PM (Sun., June 23rd, 2002)
Fee (JALT members): free
Fee (One-Day members): 1,000 yen
Prefecture: Iwate
City: Morioka
Venue: Iwate Kokusai Koryu (Iwate International Plaza) in Morioka, phone: 019-654-8900.
Description: A new perspective on learning English! Suppose you were taking piano lessons? What would you expect to learn? How would you like to study? What would you expect from your piano teacher? In this workshop, the presenter examines assumptions about studying language by comparing learning English to learning a musical instrument. More specifically, this workshop will compare preparing and performing a speech to preparing and performing a musical recital. The presenter will play musical examples on the guitar, and show speech examples from his newest book, Getting Ready for Speech.

Sunday, July 28th, 2002

cancelled: Motivating Your Students to Fluency

Speaker: Stuart Bowie, Macmillan Language House
Time: 10:30 AM - 12:30 PM (Sun., July 28th, 2002)
Fee (JALT members): free
Fee (One-Day members): 1,000 yen
Prefecture: Iwate
City: Morioka
Venue: Iwate Kokusai Koryu (Iwate International Plaza) in Morioka, phone: 019-654-8900.
Description: This event has been cancelled (7/21)
How can you tap the natural energy and enthusiasm of your students? By creating an exciting environment for the development of their language learning skills. A variety of tasks, activities and ideas to maximize students motivation to speak in class will be presented. These will be based around the Macmillan series Smile and Get Real. This presentation will be in two parts, the first focussing on younger learners from the elementary level, and the second for students in senior high school and university.

Sunday, August 25th, 2002

Effective Language Learning Strategies and Techniques

Speaker: Jarrett "Dave" Ragan, Jr., Assistant Professor of ESL, MSU-Akita
Time: 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM (Sun., August 25th, 2002)
Fee (JALT members): free
Fee (One-Day members): 1,000 yen
Prefecture: Iwate
City: Morioka
Venue: Iwate Kokusai Koryu (Iwate International Plaza) in Morioka, phone: 019-654-8900.
Description: Please note the change in time (updated Aug 18, 2002).
The speaker will present and then have participants apply various strategies and techniques a student or any language learner can use to improve their language learning skills specifically and learning skills generally. Participants will learn about the STARS vocabulary study system, the review cycle, and flashing, all using the old fashioned vocabulary cards. Mr. Ragan will introduce very basic mind mapping and some other useful techniques and skills. Participants are requested to bring a portable recorder such as a cassette recorder or MD recorder or one of the newer IC chip recorders. These relatively cheap devices can greatly enhance your language learning if used correctly. The presenter believes that every language learner needs a portable recorder to collect and review his/her target language. Come to this workshop to find out why and how.

Sunday, September 29th, 2002

On The Go: Addressing Relevance and Motivation

Speaker: Jonah Glick, Pearson Education-Longman ELT
Time: 10:30 AM - 12:30 PM (Sun., September 29th, 2002)
Fee (JALT members): free
Fee (One-Day members): 1,000 yen
Prefecture: Iwate
City: Morioka
Venue: Iwate Kokusai Koryu (Iwate International Plaza) in Morioka, phone: 019-654-8900.
Description: Motivation is crucial for successful learning. What techniques should we employ to encourage motivation and maximize learning? Two ways are:

  • to ensure learners talk about what interests them; and
  • to teach language for specific real-world functions.
We can teach language to enable learners to accomplish specific functions that the learners perceive as relevant to their own lives, and we can encourage learners to think about the language and discover for themselves. Bringing high-interest, real-world content into the classroom, presented at a level learners can cope with, and woven into the lesson through clear, achievable and focused task-based activities, can enhance both learning and involvement.

Sunday, October 13th, 2002

Annual Iwate JALT Book Fair

Speaker: Details coming soon!
Time: 10:00 AM - 4:30 PM (Sun., October 13th, 2002)
Fee (JALT members): free
Fee (One-Day members): free
Prefecture: Iwate
City: Morioka
Venue: Iwate Kyouikukaikan Morioka (across from Iwate Park; same venue as in 2001)
Description: The 2002 Iwate JALT Book Fair is a perfect opportunity for ESL teachers, ALTs, and anyone interested in English. Check up on the latest English books and teaching materials while hearing some of the best speakers on English education the country has to offer. Don't miss it!! Many publishers and booksellers will be present at the book fair.

Find Events


The Japan Association for Language Teaching
Urban Edge Bldg 5F, 1-37-9 Taito, Taito-ku, Tokyo 110-0016, Japan
Tel: 0352885443