Kyoto Chapter

(Read the archived description for the Kyoto Chapter)

Kyoto Chapter Events in 2006

Events archive by year:
2008 [3]; 2007 [6]; 2006; 2005 [6]; 2004 [4]; 2003 [5]; 2002 [4]; 2001 [7];

Saturday, January 28th, 2006

Challenging Myths about Japanese Language Learners

Speaker: Sara Cotterall
Time: 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM (Sat., January 28th, 2006)
Fee (JALT members): free
Fee (One-Day members): 1,000 yen
Prefecture: Kyoto
City: Kyoto
Venue: Kyoto Kyoiku Bunka Center, Marutamachi, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto
Description: In this presentation, I will challenge 2 myths about Japanese learners - namely that they are:

1. passive in their learning style

2. unwilling to assume responsibility for their learning

I will begin by discussing these myths in the context of research into learner beliefs about language learning. I will also refer to studies which have examined characteristics of the Japanese education system and the learners it produces.

Then I will discuss qualitative and quantitative data which has been gathered over the last three semesters at Akita International University in an Independent Learning programme and a course in Communication Studies. I claim that the data provide evidence of the learners� willingness to learn actively and to assume responsibility for their learning.

Finally I will argue that it is the responsibility of teachers to explore their learners� beliefs about learning, and adjust to their interaction patterns. On the basis of this discussion, I will recommend some activities that are likely to promote active learning and to stimulate learners� willingness to take decisions about their learning.

Sunday, April 2nd, 2006

Meeting in association with Osaka JALT and SIETAR Kansai

Speaker: Mary Matsuda Gruenewald
Time: 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM (Sun., April 2nd, 2006)
Fee (JALT members): 500 yen
Fee (One-Day members): 1,000 yen
Prefecture: Kyoto
City: Kyoto
Venue: Dawn Center
Description: Kyoto JALT in association with Osaka JALT and SIETAR Kansai invites you to a

lecture with Mary Matsuda Gruenewald, author of an award-winning

autobiography entitled, "Looking Like the Enemy." The book portrays her

experiences in relocation camps in the US during WWII. Sunday, April 2,

2006, 2 - 4. p.m. Location: Dawn Center, (Temmabashi Station on the Keihan

line or Tanimachi line) JALT members 500 yen, non-JALT members 1,000 yen.

After the talk, a cherry blossom viewing party near the venue will be held.

Visit www.kyotojalt.org for map and any late changes.

Saturday, May 20th, 2006

ESP in Japan: what it has been and what it can be

Speaker: Judy Noguchi
Time: 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM (Sat., May 20th, 2006)
Fee (JALT members): free
Fee (One-Day members): 1,000 yen
Prefecture: Kyoto
City: Kyoto
Venue: Kyoto Kyoiku Bunka Center, Marutamachi, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto
Description: English for specific purposes (ESP) is taught in many ways. This talk will begin with an overview of what has been done and then move quickly into what ESP can do. Topics to be covered will include the rationale for ESP, current concepts, and useful ideas from other fields, including second language acquisition, critical discourse analysis and corpus linguistics.

Biodata: Judy Noguchi has B.A. and B.S. degrees (chemistry) from the University of Hawaii, an M.Ed. (TESL) from Temple University Japan and a Ph.D. (applied linguistics) from the University of Birmingham.

Saturday, June 24th, 2006

Advanced Learners' Dictionary Use

Speaker: Yoshiko Okuyama
Time: 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM (Sat., June 24th, 2006)
Fee (JALT members): free
Fee (One-Day members): 1,000 yen
Prefecture: Kyoto
City: Kyoto
Venue: Kyoto Kyoiku Bunka Center, Marutamachi, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto
Description: This presentation will introduce the results of a qualitative study on bilingual dictionary usage of college students. The study focused on how Japanese-English/English-Japanese dictionaries (paper, electronic, and online) are used by advanced Japanese as a Foreign Language (JFL) and advanced ESL learners. Only the results of the JFL subjects will be introduced and discussed during the presentation.

Saturday, October 21st, 2006

Using Newspapers for Language Reinforcement

Speaker: William M. Balsamo
Time: 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM (Sat., October 21st, 2006)
Fee (JALT members): free
Fee (One-Day members): 1,000 yen
Prefecture: Kyoto
City: Kyoto
Venue: Kyoto Kyoiku Bunka Center, Marutamachi, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto
Description: Textbooks often become dated and computers require knowledge of technology, but the daily newspaper is a valuable resource with a rich format for language instruction. The daily news provides a wealth of up-to-date informative material expressed in clever headlines, featured articles and eye-catching photos, all of which is ideal to capture the interest of students.

In addition, the levels of student competency found in journalism can range from easy to difficult and can be adapted by the instructor.

In this workshop, the presenter will demonstrate a wide variety of student-based activities, which can be generated for reading, writing, listening and discussion classes. Participants at this workshop will be introduced to several tasks that can be used in the ESL classroom to stimulate interest in the news while acquiring and apply their language skills.

Sunday, October 29th, 2006

Wine, Cheese, & The New TOEIC

Speaker: Lin Lougheed, Grant Trew,
Time: 1:30 PM - 5:00 PM (Sun., October 29th, 2006)
Fee (JALT members): free
Fee (One-Day members): free
Prefecture: Kyoto
City: Kyoto
Venue: Dawn Center
Description: The new items types and expanded length of TOEIC conversations,

talks, and reading passages require revised teaching procedures and

careful classroom management in order to prepare students for the new

TOEICR . The presentation will provide strategies for students taking

the new TOEIC and for teachers preparing these students.

The recent changes to the Listening and Reading test, and the forthcoming

introduction of the TOEICR Speaking and Writing tests at the end of this

year, introduce an entirely new set of challenges for test takers. The

presentation will highlight the more important changes to the current test,

outline the types of tasks that will be faced on the new Speaking and

Writing tests, and look at some ways of developing the new skills necessary

to score well.

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