Okayama Chapter

(Read the archived description for the Okayama Chapter)

Okayama Chapter Events in 2008

Events archive by year:
2008; 2007 [13]; 2006 [8]; 2005 [12]; 2004 [9]; 2003 [9]; 2002 [12]; 2001 [8];

Saturday, January 12th, 2008

How Does Language Play Promote Language Learning?

Speaker: Scott Gardner
Time: 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM (Sat., January 12th, 2008)
Fee (JALT members): free
Fee (One-Day members): 500 yen
Prefecture: Okayama
City: Okayama
Venue: Sankaku A Bldg. 2F near Omotecho in Okayama City
Description: This workshop will introduce and put to use ideas that language play (puns, rhymes, riddles, metaphor, etc.) should not be seen as a distraction from classroom learning but rather as a central part of it, from both formal and communicative perspectives. Participants will have a chance to try making lessons more "playful" in a way that promotes student creativity and experimenting with language.

Effects of task repetition in 'Poster Carousel'

Speaker: Eiko Nakamura
Time: 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM (Sat., January 12th, 2008)
Fee (JALT members): free
Fee (One-Day members): 500 yen
Prefecture: Okayama
City: Okayama
Venue: Sankaku A Bldg. 2F near Omotecho in Okayama City
Description: This presentation begins with an introduction to 'Poster Carousel' as a type of tasks that provides learners opportunities to repeatedly use the knowledge they already have. Then we will examine how learners' language output changes through task repetitions. Learners' language progress is quantitatively seen in an increase in speech rates and a decrease in pause time ratios. Learners' language reformulations and self-repairs are qualitatively observed as signals of learning potential. Learners' retrospective discussion reveals that their interest in interactions with other learners is an important factor for the task completion.

Sunday, March 30th, 2008

From Visitor to Resident - How you can set down roots in Japan

Speaker: Arudou Debito
Time: 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM (Sun., March 30th, 2008)
Fee (JALT members): free
Fee (One-Day members): 500 yen
Prefecture: Okayama
City: Okayama
Venue: Sankaku A Bldg. 2F near Omotecho in Okayama City
Description: Arudou Debito, activist and author, will be presenting from his new co-authored book, HANDBOOK FOR IMMIGRANTS TO JAPAN (Akashi Shoten Inc. 2008). Learn how to make the best of life here, from port of entry through funeral arrangements. View table of contents at http://www.debito.org/index.php/?page_id=582 The presentation will be followed by a lengthy Q&A session so you can raise other issues of your choice as well.

Saturday, May 17th, 2008

Thinking Podcasting? Think Again.

Speaker: Alex McAulay, Yokohama University
Time: 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM (Sat., May 17th, 2008)
Fee (JALT members): free
Fee (One-Day members): 500 yen
Prefecture: Okayama
City: Okayama
Venue: Okayama University, (FLEC) General Education Building B, 3rd floor. map:http://www.okayama-u.ac.jp/en/tsushima_e.html
Description: The hype in CALL is currently settled on podcasting. However, teachers thinking of producing their own podcasts need to begin by addressing two issues: (a) the complexity involved in the undertaking, and (b) how to integrate a podcast into the syllabus. Adapting the guidelines by Harmer (2003), and Warschauer & Whittaker (2002), this presentation will outline ten principles guiding the process of creating the video podcast ynu5photos. The podcast is available at http://www.ynu5photos.blogspot.com

Sunday, June 15th, 2008

Preparing students for academic study abroad

Speaker: Eri Okuda, Oxford University Press
Time: 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM (Sun., June 15th, 2008)
Fee (JALT members): free
Fee (One-Day members): 500 yen
Prefecture: Okayama
City: Okayama
Venue: Nishigawa Ai Plaza 4th Floor, 10-16 Saiwai-cho, Okayama City, TEL: 086-234-5882
Description: Students will cope much better in study-abroad programs if they are adequately prepared with the strategies they need to listen, take notes, and discuss ideas independently and confidently. Through her own anecdotes, Eri Okuda will talk about the problems/issues that students will face and skills that they need in order to survive academic study overseas. OUP h as a video-based series, 'Lecture Ready' that trains students in the listening and language skills they need during lectures in their future study.

Saturday, July 19th, 2008

Beyond motivation: Group dynamics, investment and resistance in Japanese EFL students

Speaker: Keiko Sakui (Kobe Shoin Women's University) & Neil Cowie (Okayama University)
Time: 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM (Sat., July 19th, 2008)
Fee (JALT members): free
Fee (One-Day members): 500 yen
Prefecture: Okayama
City: Okayama
Venue: Sankaku A Bldg. 2F near Omotecho in Okayama City
Description: Research on student motivation often assumes that students are either motivated or not motivated. The two presenters critically examine their students' classroom behaviour from alternative perspectives to motivation including group dynamics, investment and resistance. Key patterns of student behaviour, the influence of social and cultural factors in explaining them, and implications for teaching and teacher development are outlined.

Sunday, September 28th, 2008

Learning Disabilities

Speaker: Cynthia Akazawa
Time: 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM (Sun., September 28th, 2008)
Fee (JALT members): free
Fee (One-Day members): 500 yen
Prefecture: Okayama
City: Okayama
Venue: Sankaku A Bldg. 2F near Omotecho in Okayama City
Description: Find out how to recognize learning disabilities in the classroom and learn how the study of learning disabilities is relevant to the broader student population in terms of identifying learning weaknesses. Get ideas for how to modify activities and/or the curriculum to help students strengthen their skills in key areas while keeping their self-esteem intact.

Cynthia Akazawa of Interact English School, Tamashima, will share insights from 16 years of teaching experience.

Techniques and Resources for Raising Kids to be Bilingual

Speaker: Gavin Thomas
Time: 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM (Sun., September 28th, 2008)
Fee (JALT members): free
Fee (One-Day members): 500 yen
Prefecture: Okayama
City: Okayama
Venue: Sankaku A Bldg. 2F near Omotecho in Okayama City
Description: Gavin Thomas will briefly outline some of the things he have done with his two children (currently 4 and 6 years old) to help them gain ability in English while they have naturally gained Japanese ability from pre-school, grandparents and friends. He will also outline some of the resources he used, with an emphasis on what is available in Okayama.

Sunday, October 26th, 2008

Storytelling in the Language Classroom

Speaker: Kusumika Chatterjee
Time: 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM (Sun., October 26th, 2008)
Fee (JALT members): free
Fee (One-Day members): 500 yen
Prefecture: Okayama
City: Okayama
Venue: Sankaku A Bldg. 2F near Omotecho in Okayama City
Description: Kusumika Chatterjee, a professional storyteller from England, will give a workshop on how mime and music can be used to teach English grammar, poetry and literature.

She has extensive experience in multicultural education, and has a background in language education and drama. She has taught English grammar (similes, metaphor, prepositions, sentence making) all through expressive nonverbal actions such as mime, movement and music. She also teaches literature through mime and movement.

Sunday, November 16th, 2008

Teaching Reading to Young Learners: Phonics? Sight Words? Whole Language? Yes!

Speaker: Sandy Rogers Logos Eikaiwa, and Notre Dame Seishin Elementary School
Time: 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM (Sun., November 16th, 2008)
Fee (JALT members): free
Fee (One-Day members): 500 yen
Prefecture: Okayama
City: Okayama
Venue: Sankaku A Bldg. 2F near Omotecho in Okayama City
Description: After a brief overview of the three methods, we will look at the value of, and discuss ways of, putting together all three methods to best nurture young readers.

We will look at some common mistakes in teaching phonics, and suggestions for improving your teaching.

Because most EFL teachers of young students in Japan are severely limited in teaching time, some ideas on how to make the most of your time will be included.

This presentation is to be followed by a second one. The entrance fee covers both talks.

Evaluation of Materials for Young Learners

Speaker: Joe Seigel University of Birmingham MA candidate
Time: 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM (Sun., November 16th, 2008)
Fee (JALT members): free
Fee (One-Day members): 500 yen
Prefecture: Okayama
City: Okayama
Venue: Sankaku A Bldg. 2F near Omotecho in Okayama City
Description: This presentation will provide a brief introduction to systematic textbook evaluation. Results of evaluations of two EFL/ESL textbook series for children, Finding Out and Let's Go, will be discussed. The aim is to supply teachers with skills to critically evaluate textbooks and materials for younger learners.

This is the second of two consecutive presentations on this day. The fee covers both talks.

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