The Japan Association for Language Teaching

Nara Chapter

(Read the archived description for the Nara Chapter)

Nara Chapter Events in 2005

Events archive by year:
2008 [5]; 2007 [5]; 2006 [7]; 2005; 2004 [5]; 2003 [2]; 2002 [4]; 2001 [5];

Sunday, February 27th, 2005

Practical Tips for Teaching Kids

Speaker: Panelists: Larry Dodds, Liz Parke, Ann Mayeda
Time: 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM (Sun., February 27th, 2005)
Fee (JALT members): free
Fee (One-Day members): free
Prefecture: Nara
City: Nara
Venue: Tezukayama University Gakuenmae Campus (JALT2004 Conference Site) Facing South Exit of Gakuenmae Station on the Kintetsu Nara Line
Description: Three panelists will give a practical, hands-on presentation on teaching children from preschool through the elementary grades. Games and activities that can be used in small classes then adapted for larger classes will be introduced. We will look at practical applications that work well with certain age groups that could be used in your classes tomorrow. All teachers of young learners are welcome to join and share their ideas. Dinner/Drinks will follow the meeting for those interested. Lots of talented folks here in Nara. Come join the fun! The three panelists are Larry Dodds (Leafs Eikawa, owner and teacher), Liz Parke (Nishiyamato Gakuen) and Ann Mayeda (Osaka Shoin Women's University).

Sunday, April 24th, 2005

The Psychology of Difficult Students

Speaker: Curtis Kelly
Time: 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM (Sun., April 24th, 2005)
Fee (JALT members): free
Fee (One-Day members): free
Prefecture: Nara
City: Nara
Venue: Tezukayama University Gakuenmae Campus (JALT2004 Conference Site) Facing South Exit of Gakuenmae Station on the Kintetsu Nara Line
Description: Every college teacher must face students who are bored, indifferent, and even hostile. While there are no simple solutions for dealing with such students, four theories in psychology related to motivation, moral development, and learning provide fascinating insights. The presenter will also explain how our pedagogy is based on the industrial model, and how radical humanistic techniques can dismantle the "wall of fear."

Saturday, May 28th, 2005

Basic Counseling Skills Every Teacher Should Know

Speaker: Marlen Harrison, Co-Coordinator of the JALT Learner Development Special Interest Group
Time: 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM (Sat., May 28th, 2005)
Fee (JALT members): free
Fee (One-Day members): free
Prefecture: Nara
City: Nara
Venue: Tezukayama University Gakuenmae Campus (JALT2004 Conference Site) Facing South Exit of Gakuenmae Station on the Kintetsu Nara Line
Description: There is a close connection between counseling and teaching: Both professions require guidance of individuals for goal achievement facilitated by strong listening and communication skills. Though there are a number of approaches to both professions, there are clearly areas where they overlap. In this interactive workshop, we will explore basic counseling skills for effective communication, examine the teacher-student relationship, and discuss the growing need for teachers in Japan to explore basic counselor education, not only for the classroom, but in the workplace with colleagues as well.
Marlen Harrison holds an MA in Education and Human Development from The George Washington University and has specialized in creative and expressive arts therapies.

Saturday, September 17th, 2005

Teaching Practical English at Elementary School

Speaker: Atsuko Ohara
Time: 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM (Sat., September 17th, 2005)
Fee (JALT members): Free!
Fee (One-Day members): free
Prefecture: Nara
City: Nara
Venue: Tezukayama University Gakuenmae Campus (JALT2004 Conference Site) Facing South Exit of Gakuenmae Station on the Kintetsu Nara Line
Description: There will be two parts to this presentation. The first will be an overview of the syllabi and overall approach of English at Tezukayama Elementary School. Some comparison will be made between teaching English in private and public schools.

The second part will be a quasi-workshop of how to teach all four skills in an integrated approach. Writing, phonetics, and oral communication are important parts of a comprehensive program. Although some theory will be presented, the bulk of the session will concern practical methods and activities.

Sunday, November 13th, 2005

NETs and NNETs - Do they speak the same "language"?

Speaker: Hidetami Nakai
Time: 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM (Sun., November 13th, 2005)
Fee (JALT members): free
Fee (One-Day members): free
Prefecture: Nara
City: Nara
Venue: Tezukayama University Gakuenmae Campus (JALT2004 Conference Site) Facing South Exit of Gakuenmae Station on the Kintetsu Nara Line
Description: With the emergence of new perspectives, such as World Englishes and English as an International Language (EIL), the roles of Nonnative English Teachers (NNETs) must have become significant in an EFL setting like Japan. However people in general still believe in the ostensible natural advantages of Native English Teachers (NETs) as is shown by the commercial messages of English conversation schools. There also appears to be a discrepancy between NETs and NNETs: they use different textbooks, attend different language teaching conferences, and so on. In this workshop, we will discuss the advantages and disadvantages of both sides in teaching English and seek the ideal collaboration and role-division between the two. Topics such as ALTs' roles and team-teaching will also be discussed.

Hidetami Nakai worked as a public high school English teacher for 23 years in Nara prefecture before moving to Tenri University eight years ago. He is now helping students who want to be middle school and high school English teachers.

もはや英語は、第一言語としてそれを話す人々の言語を超えて、世界の共通語(English as an International Language)となりました。それだけに英語のノンネイティブ教員が果たす役割や貢献も重要になっています。しかし一般社会には、いまだ「英語を学ぶならネイティブ教員でないと」という意識や、「ネイティブ教員はコミュニケーションを、日(人教員は文法を指導することにむいている」などの固定した見方が強くあります。またネイティブ教員と日(人教員の間にも、英語教育に対する温度差があり、使用する教科書のャCプや参加する学会にも違いがあります。(発浮ナは、ネイティブ教員とノンネイティブ教員が共に語り合い、これらの実態を明らかにし、両者の理想的な協力体制や役割分担を探っていきたいと思います。またALTの現実やTeam-teachingのあり方などについても話し合いたいと思います。

話題提供者、中井英民は、23年間奈良県の複数の高校で英語科教員を勤めたあと、8年前に天理大学へ移籍しました。英語科指導法の授業を通じて、教員志望の学生を支援しています。

Saturday, December 10th, 2005

December My Share (& 2005 Christmas Party)

Speaker: Group Participation
Time: 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM (Sat., December 10th, 2005)
Fee (JALT members): free
Fee (One-Day members): free
Prefecture: Nara
City: Nara
Venue: Tezukayama University Gakuenmae Campus (JALT2004 Conference Site) Facing South Exit of Gakuenmae Station on the Kintetsu Nara Line
Description: Join our December meeting featuring a My Share session at Tezukayama University followed by our annual Christmas party at English Masters (both in Gakuenmae) on Saturday, December 10, starting at 2:00pm. Share some of your exciting teaching ideas and take a few home with you. A potluck will follow so either bring a dish which serves 3-4 people or pay a nominal fee for food. Soft drinks and alcohol will be provided for a small set fee. Members, friends and family all welcome. Contact Steven Nishida at steven.nishida@gmail.com for directions to English Masters if you plan to attend the party only (starts at 5:00pm). Look forward to seeing you there!

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