Osaka Chapter

(Read the archived description for the Osaka Chapter)

Osaka Chapter Events in 2003

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

Sunday, February 9th, 2003

English Education in Viet Nam and Thailand

Speaker: Professor Cao Loan of Viet Nam National University, Gerald Williams of Kansai University of International Studies, and Brent Poole
Time: 3:00 PM - 5:30 PM (Sun., February 9th, 2003)
Fee (JALT members): free
Fee (One-Day members): 1500 yen (1000 for students)
Prefecture: Osaka
City: Osaka
Venue: Fukushima Smith's School of English
Description: Professor Cao Loan's presentation will include an overview of the education system and her reflections on education in Viet Nam. Deeply rooted in Confucianism dating back to the early days of Vietnamese history, a profound respect for and love of learning are among the hallmarks of the Vietnamese people. As in Japan, the education system in Viet Nam is undergoing dramatic structural changes that could prove insightful for understanding Japan's current situation. Gerald Williams and Brent Poole will also speak about their respective volunteer teaching experiences in Viet Nam and Thailand. Ample time will be allotted for informal discussion over refreshments. Dinner afterwards at a Vietnamese restaurant for those interested.

Sunday, April 27th, 2003

Spring Picnic Party [postponed to 4/27]

Speaker: It's a picnic!
Time: 1:30 PM - 4:30 PM (Sun., April 27th, 2003)
Fee (JALT members): free
Fee (One-Day members): free
Prefecture: Osaka
City: Osaka
Venue: Osaka Castle Park's Nishinomaru Japanese Garden
Description: The plan is to meet between 1:30 and 4:30 or so in the Nishinomaru Japanese Garden on the west side of Osaka Castle Park (subway Tenjinbashi station, Keihan Tenmabashi station, or Osakajo-koen or Morinomiya stations on the JR Loop line are closest). There will be no formal presentation but simply a relaxing chance to share ideas and fun amidst the spring foliage. Bring friends and family, something to sit on, a frisbee or anything else for recreational fun, and food and drink if you like. Some refreshments will be served and we plan to have an Easter egg hunt at about 3:00 for kids of all ages. Feel free to come and go as your schedule permits. If you have suggestions or would like to help organize more activities or refreshments for this event, please email Bob Sanderson at sanderson808@gol.com. We'll most likely continue past 4:30 either in the park or at a nearby restaurant. We expect to have fabulous weather and a great day. This event was originally scheduled for April 20th but was postponed due to inclement weather.

Sunday, August 3rd, 2003

Osaka JALT Summer Meeting & Social

Speaker: Tom Pendergast
Time: 1:30 PM - 4:30 PM (Sun., August 3rd, 2003)
Fee (JALT members): free
Fee (One-Day members): 1,000 yen
Prefecture: Osaka
City: Osaka
Venue: DIDASKO, #611 Awaza Dai-Ni Central Heights, 5-minute walk SW of Awaza Sta (1 stop west of Hommachi on the Chuo line) exit 6, just west of Nissei Hospital). For a map by fax, email sanderson808@gol.com
Description: The original founder of the Kansai Association for Language Teaching, which eventually became JALT, will offer his perspectives on the history of JALT and TESOL in Japan as well as reflections on current teaching practices with topics ranging from the Silent Way, CLL, TPR, Neuro-Linguistic Programming, etc., depending on attendees' interests. As always, all are invited to bring ideas and copies of materials to share. After the meeting those interested will continue discussions at a nearby restaurant. Those not attending the meeting who would like to join us at the restaurant may do so by calling 090-5640-5011 after 6:45 on August 3rd.

Saturday, October 11th, 2003

Scrivener's Model and Task Based Learning

Speaker: Jason Moser
Time: 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM (Sat., October 11th, 2003)
Fee (JALT members): free
Fee (One-Day members): 1,000 yen
Prefecture: Osaka
City: Osaka
Venue: Covent Garden Social Club, Kitahorie 2-5-10 (t:06-4391-3113; 5 minute walk west of Yotsubashi station south exit, or 5-min east of Nishinagahori station south exit, on the north side of Suomachi-dori)
Description: Communicative language classes need to strive for the "Golden Mean": a balance between language fluency, accuracy, and restructuring. Moser will discuss how to evaluate lessons based on Scrivener's model of Authentic Language, Restricted Language, and Clarification (ARC). He'll introduce Task-Based Learning (TBL) and describe how he has used and adapted it to suit his classes. He'll show that TBL helps create a balance between the three types of language in Scrivener's model and helps provide an ideal environment for facilitating language acquisition. Jason Moser has an MA in TESOL and teaches at Osaka University and Osaka Gaidai. He has recently contributed a paper on Task Based Learning to be included in a book that will be out in the spring of 2004, edited by Jane Willis.

Saturday, November 8th, 2003

Osaka JALT Chapter Business Meeting and Officer Elections Party

Speaker: None
Time: 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM (Sat., November 8th, 2003)
Fee (JALT members): free
Fee (One-Day members): 1,000 yen
Prefecture: Osaka
City: Osaka
Venue: TBA
Description: Osaka JALT will meet to discuss plans for the upcoming year and hold annual officer elections. All are welcome, especially those interested in playing an active role in chapter organizing. Anyone that is unable to attend the meeting but that would like to run as an officer or be on a committee should contact Bob Sanderson at sanderson808@gol.com.

Tuesday, November 25th, 2003

An Informal Discussion with Elka Todeva

Speaker: Elka Todeva, School for International Training
Time: 6:30 PM - 9:30 PM (Tue., November 25th, 2003)
Fee (JALT members): free
Fee (One-Day members): 1,000 yen
Prefecture: Osaka
City: Osaka
Venue: Cita Cita Indonesian Restaurant, 3F. From Hommachi exit 9 go one small street north, then east a block and a quarter just past the flower shop.
Description: Osaka JALT will meet in the private third floor meeting room of the very relaxing and gorgeous Cita Cita Indonesian restaurant for dinner, drinks, and an informal session with Elka Todeva, one of the featured speakers at this year's national JALT conference.

Wednesday, November 26th, 2003

Passport or Excess Baggage? Current Concerns in Socio-cultural Training in the Classroom

Speaker: Simon Greenall
Time: 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM (Wed., November 26th, 2003)
Fee (JALT members): free
Fee (One-Day members): free
Prefecture: Osaka
City: Osaka
Venue: British Council Osaka, Dojima Avanza 4F, 1-6-20, Dojima, Kita-ku, Osaka
Description: This will be a repeat of Greenall's conference plenary. For some years, Socio-cultural training has been accepted as a requirement of a well-balanced language course. Yet, today, some teachers remain concerned that it adds further demands on an already overcrowded course design. This talk will examine what and how to teach a socio-cultural syllabus strand in a multi-syllabus course design, and why. It will focus on socio-cultural training at lower levels, in monocultural groups, to develop an awareness of the learner's own cultural identity. Three types of topics will be covered: social conventions and rituals, customs and traditions, and attitudes and beliefs. Greenall will suggest that socio-cultural training is not an optional extra, or excess baggage, but an essential component of a language course, and the passport to effective communication.

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