The Japan Association for Language Teaching

Shinshu Chapter

(Read the archived description for the Shinshu Chapter)

Shinshu Chapter Events in 2004

Events archive by year:
2008 [10]; 2007 [11]; 2006 [9]; 2005 [11]; 2004; 2003 [7]; 2002 [8]; 2001 [6];

Saturday, January 31st, 2004

Joint Longman/JALT Presentations

Speaker: Junko Yamanaka, Trident College of Languages; Alison Taylor, Longman ELT
Time: 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM (Sat., January 31st, 2004)
Fee (JALT members): free
Fee (One-Day members): free
Prefecture: Nagano
City: Matsumoto-shi
Venue: Luna International Office, MK Building 2F, 1-19-16 Moto-machi, Matsumoto
Description: Junko Yamanaka, the Chief Instructor and Teacher Trainer from Trident College of Languages in Nagoya, will present on "Impact Values: critical thinking and real debate". Her talk will focus on how to enable less than advanced students to engage in classroom discussions on topics of real-world relevance.
Alison Taylor, the Longman ELT consultant on materials for teaching children, will present onthe text "Hip Hip Hooray!" She will demonstrate how the use of interactive songs and role-plays can bring the classroom to life. The audience will be invited to actively participate in the session.
Please note that this is a Saturday event, not on Sunday as is the usual case for Shinshu JALT events.

Sunday, February 22nd, 2004

The English Fair

Speaker: Naoki Fujimoto, Danny Majdanac and Fred Carruth
Time: 2:00 PM - 4:45 PM (Sun., February 22nd, 2004)
Fee (JALT members): free
Fee (One-Day members): 1,000 yen
Prefecture: Nagano
City: Okaya
Venue: Okaya, ILF, 3rd floor, Rooms 1, 2 and 7
Description: The English Fair is a unique opportunity to participate in three workshops on the theme of large class methodologies and motivation.

  • Naoki Fujimoto will give some ideas on the use of Total Physical Response with elementary school level students, focusing on how physical movement is important in story-telling and songs.
  • Danny Madjanac will show how High School students can be motivated through individual and group work in short and long-term activities in the form of journal keeping, competitions and the creaton of student biographies.
  • Fred Carruth will address the theme of motivation in large college/university classes. His workshop will look at the role of teacher talk, techniques to encourage active learning, teaching pace, monitoring, the use of Japanese and the issue of keeping lower and higher level students continually engaged in the learning process.

Sunday, March 14th, 2004

English Games for Adults

Speaker: Olwyn McKay
Time: 2:00 PM - 4:45 PM (Sun., March 14th, 2004)
Fee (JALT members): free
Fee (One-Day members): 1,000 yen
Prefecture: Nagano
City: Matsumoto-shi
Venue: Matsumoto M-wing Rm 3b
Description: This workshop will focus on games and activities for use in classes for young adults to adults. Practical examples will be shown of how to motivate General English students with activities that are self-made or from ready-made sources. Teachers dealing with students in private language school settings will find this session to be of particular relevance.

Sunday, May 16th, 2004

The 15th Annual Suwa Charity walk

Speaker: Yasuto Hirajima from Seiko Epson
Time: 8:10 AM - 2:00 PM (Sun., May 16th, 2004)
Fee (JALT members): free
Fee (One-Day members): free
Prefecture: Nagano
City: Suwa
Venue: Meet at the Katakura Fureai Nagisa (the outside auditorium next to Lake Suwa)
Description: The 15th Lake Suwa Charity Walk is a great opportunity to discover the environmental issues about Lake Suwa. The starting time is at 8.10 am with an introductory talk at 8.15 to explain the day's schedule. After this we have the choice of walking in two directions around the lake accompanied by Shinshu University researchers who will explain environmental issues in easy terms. We all meet up at Kamaguchi suimon (the water lock) at 11:30. A special forum starts at 12:00 in which we can enjoy an environmental talk by Mr. Hirajima from Seiko Epson. This talk is not deeply technical and is geared towards children. A quiz for the kids follows this talk and a prize will be given to the winner. This year's musical entertainment is provided by the Shiga Primary Shool Choir. The forum itself closes at 1.30 after which we catch a ferry back to Suwa at 2.00 pm.
Please bring your own lunch and pencils for the quiz.
Donations are welcome (to go to Suwa Kankyo Machi zukuri kondankai- the local Suwa-based environmental group).
This is a family-friendly day so bring the kids!

Sunday, June 20th, 2004

The Use of Videos in ELT

Speaker: Takako Seito
Time: 2:00 PM - 4:45 PM (Sun., June 20th, 2004)
Fee (JALT members): free
Fee (One-Day members): 1,000 yen
Prefecture: Nagano
City: Nagano
Venue: Okaya, Irufu (ILF) Plaza, 3rd Floor, Room 7
Description: Takako Seito from Tokyo University of Science in Suwa will show how to motivate large classes through the use of video-based activities. In this workshop she will demonstrate how authentic film scripts can stimulate students to listen, write and talk in English. She particularly aims to activate their knowledge of the themes shown during the film. Also, practical ways to create original materials from the internet databases, videos, DVDs and TV programs will be explained.
About the speaker: Takako Seito has a long-time interest in using PCs and films for teaching English and has built up many video resources to encourage her students to become active learners. She graduated from Jochi University after which she completed a MA in English literature from Waseda University. During the 1980s she was a member of the successful Noh-Shakespeare group which toured the USA. She has taught at junior and senior high schools, private colleges and most recently at Suwa Rikadai.

Sunday, August 29th, 2004

Teaching English with Phonics to Young Learners

Speaker: Takagi Akemi
Time: 2:00 PM - 4:45 PM (Sun., August 29th, 2004)
Fee (JALT members): free
Fee (One-Day members): 1,000 yen
Prefecture: Nagano
City: Matsumoto-shi
Venue: Matsumoto, M-Wing, Room 4-1
Description: Takagi Akemi sensei will lead a phonics workshop targeting younger and older children. This workshop will be of great benefit to all teachers wishing to integrate phonics into classes of young learners. The teaching ideas are based on instructional materials from the Matsuka Phonics Institute headed by Yoko Matsuka, the well-known children's English educator.
About the speaker: Takagi Akemi started at the Matsuka Phonics Institute (MPI) in 1989 where she is now a Seminar instructor. She is also working as an instructor of J Shine, and Naganoken Shougakusei Eigo Shidoryokukentei Kyogikai.

Sunday, September 26th, 2004

TOEIC test-taking techniques

Speaker: Keinichi Fukuzawa
Time: 2:00 PM - 4:45 PM (Sun., September 26th, 2004)
Fee (JALT members): free
Fee (One-Day members): 1,000 yen
Prefecture: Nagano
City: Matsumoto-shi
Venue: Matsumoto M-Wing, Room 4-1
Description: Keinichi Fukuzawa, a local TOEIC expert in the Suwa area, will give a talk about his TOEIC test-taking experiences and offer tips on how to improve your score. Fukuzawa sensei has studied Business English in the USA and most recently was profiled in The Daily Yomiuri's TOEIC Booster article from 19th Decenber 2003. This should be a most practical session for both teachers and students.

Sunday, October 24th, 2004

Language Teaching and Teaching Materials

Speaker: Greg Goodmacher
Time: 2:00 PM - 4:45 PM (Sun., October 24th, 2004)
Fee (JALT members): free
Fee (One-Day members): 1,000 yen
Prefecture: Nagano
City: Matsumoto-shi
Venue: Shinshu University, Matsumoto, Rm 5, 3rd Floor, Jinbungaku Bldg.
Description: Greg Goodmacher, from Shinshu University in Matsumoto, believes that teachers must take a hand in the design of teaching materials. However, many teachers are inexperienced in regards to creating their own materials and to adapting course books. Greg plans to help teachers to improve their skills and confidence in developing teaching materials for their classes. Each class is unique and mass-produced textbooks need to be adapted for our students. Among the topics to be covered are:

  • adapting textbooks,
  • creating lessons with realia (maps, guidebooks, receipts, songs, etc.),
  • choosing materials,
  • and supplementing textbooks with language games.
In this workshop the participants are invited to bring textbooks they actually use in their classes and to ask questions about how to use them more effectively.
Greg Goodmacher has many years of TEFL experience in the USA, the Middle East, Thailand and Japan. He has a MA in English language teaching and is currently the Program Chair for the JALT Materials Writers SIG.

Sunday, November 14th, 2004

University and College ELT Panel Discussion

Speaker: Kyoko Fujise, Greg Birch, and Yasuko Obana
Time: 2:00 PM - 4:45 PM (Sun., November 14th, 2004)
Fee (JALT members): free
Fee (One-Day members): 1,000 yen
Prefecture: Nagano
City: Nagano
Venue: Nagano, Kinrosha Fukushi Center, 3rd Floor, Daiichi Kaishitsu
Description: What is happening in English classes in japanese universities and colleges?
This panel discussion will focus on the current state of ELT at this level of education. Of particular interest are the problems and possible solutions on motivational issues, curriculum restraints, teaching methodologies, bilingual education and finally how national culture is presented. If you are working in colleges or universities, then come along and voice your opinion!
Oxford University Press and Thomson will also be displaying their resources at this event.

Sunday, December 12th, 2004

Window on the World and End of Year Party

Speaker: Tamao Hoshina
Time: 2:00 PM - 4:45 PM (Sun., December 12th, 2004)
Fee (JALT members): free
Fee (One-Day members): 1,000 yen
Prefecture: Nagano
City: Suwa
Venue: Tami Kaneko's home, Suwa
Description: At this end of year event at Tami Kaneko's home, members and non-members are invited to enjoy some snacks and listen to Ms. Tamao Hoshina who will be giving a talk about her experiences in Cambodia for the Japanese voluntary organization JICA. After studying in the USA, Tamao returned to Japan and became involved in special needs education in the state system. Currently she works at Hanada Yogo Gakko and is interested in "shikiji kyoiku", the education of recognizing words. Come along to this last event of the Shinshu JALT calendar and enjoy what looks to be a fascinating talk.

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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