Osaka Chapter

(Read the archived description for the Osaka Chapter)

Osaka Chapter Events in 2005

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

Saturday, January 8th, 2005

What's Lev Got to Do With It? Vygotskyan Trends in Recent Pedagogy, Professional Development and Language Acquisition

Speaker: Larry Metzger, Deryn Verity, and David Woodfield
Time: 6:30 PM - 8:45 PM (Sat., January 8th, 2005)
Fee (JALT members): free
Fee (One-Day members): 1000 yen / 600 yen for full-time students
Prefecture: Osaka
City: Osaka
Venue: Osaka City Municipal Lifelong Learning Center, on the fifth floor of Umeda's Dai-2 Building. Tel: 06-6345-5000. www.manabi.city.osaka.jp
Description: The zone of proximal development (ZPD), talk as a psychological tool, internalization, private speech! What is all this? Over the last decade more and more language teachers have been finding inspiration in the ideas of Russian psychologist Lev Vygotsky. Find out why! This discussion/workshop is designed to introduce several fundamental concepts of the neo-Vygotskyan paradigm. The three speakers will structure some activities for you to participate in with the object that you will be able to discover for yourself what Vygotsky has to offer.

Saturday, February 5th, 2005

Obstacles to Improving English Learning in Japan

Speaker: Robert Aspinall, D. Phil.
Time: 6:30 PM - 8:45 PM (Sat., February 5th, 2005)
Fee (JALT members): 500 yen / 300 yen for student members
Fee (One-Day members): 1500 yen / 1000 yen for full-time students
Prefecture: Osaka
City: Osaka
Venue: Osaka City Municipal Lifelong Learning Center, on the fifth floor of Umeda's Dai-2 Building, just southeast and across the street from the Hilton Hotel. Tel: 06-6345-5000
Description: What are the obstacles facing efforts to improve English language learning in Japanese schools and universities? This presentation considers various explanations for the failure of the Japanese education system to provide the country with a number of citizens sufficiently skilled in the use of English, the global lingua franca, to enable Japan to "punch its weight" in international forums. Why has Japan achieved enviable records of achievement in subjects like mathematics and science but suffers from serious problems with English language learning? Finally, various possible solutions to some of the problems raised will be addressed.

About the speaker: Robert Aspinall is a professor in the Department of Social Systems at Shiga University. His book Teachers Unions and the Politics of Education in Japan was published by SUNY Press in 2001. He has also published articles on nationalism and foreign language teaching reform, and the university entrance system in Japan. He lives in Nagoya and also teaches courses in Japanese politics at Nagoya University and at Nanzan University.

Saturday, April 9th, 2005

Hanami Social (change of date)

Speaker: Everyone is welcome to share ideas, mix and mingle at this social event.
Time: 3:00 PM - 8:00 PM (Sat., April 9th, 2005)
Fee (JALT members): free (bring your own bento and refreshments) Adults are charged a 200 yen to enter the garden.
Fee (One-Day members): free (bring your own bento and refreshments) Adults are charged a 200 yen to enter the garden.
Prefecture: Osaka
City: Osaka
Venue: Nishinomaru Japanese Garden, Osaka Castle Park, under the best cherry blossoms we can find!
Description: Apologies for the short notice, but due to the forecasted 50-60 per cent chance of rain this coming Sunday, we've regrettably decided to reschedule our Osaka JALT Hanami Social yet again to this Saturday, April 9th, when there is just a 10 per cent chance of rain. We've also changed the time slightly to be from 3:00 to 8:00 pm so as to be able to take in the spectacle of the lit-up blossoms happening every evening this week. Join us for all or part of the time if you can make it. Look for the blue JALT banners in the Nishinomaru Japanese Garden, which is on the west side of Osakajo-koen, has the most cherry trees in the park, and has a gorgeous view of the castle.

The nearest train stations are Tanimachi 4-come and Temmabashi, but it's a pleasant walk from Osakajo-koen or Morinomiya stations if you're coming by JR. Bring a ground sheet if you have one, a Frisbee or other recreational favorites, a bento and other refreshments, or you can buy food and drinks there. This should prove to be a fun and relaxing way to help kick off the new academic year by sharing ideas and experiences with fellow language teachers and learners in a classic and beautiful setting.

This event is free to JALT members and non-members alike, so feel free to bring friends and family. Adults are charged a 200 yen admission fee to enter Nishinomaru Japanese Garden, but it's free for children. If you have trouble finding us please dial 090-5640-5011 or 090-6670-6042 for directions (or 080-3789-6394 after 5:00).

Sunday, May 8th, 2005

Outdoor Language Learning: An Alternative Learning Environment

Speaker: Terry Fellner, Himeji Dokkyo University
Time: 2:30 PM - 4:30 PM (Sun., May 8th, 2005)
Fee (JALT members): free
Fee (One-Day members): 500 yen
Prefecture: Osaka
City: Osaka
Venue: In the wildflower garden on the north side of the Sky Building, a 10-minute walk west of Umeda Hankyu station on Shibata-1 street (just north of the Yodobashi building) through the long (350m) pedestrian tunnel. Call 080-3789-6394 or 080-3790-1253 fo
Description: As language teachers continue to search for optimal learning environments, methodologies and techniques for their students, it is surprising that one learning environment that is so accessible to educators and students has been thus far largely ignored: that known as the �out-of-doors� environment. This presentation provides an argument for a new methodology called Outdoor Language Learning (OLL) and will illustrate the positive effects OLL can have on student motivation and attitudes. The presenter will identify the similarities and strengths Outdoor Language Learning shares with other language methodologies such as experiential language learning, total physical response, task-based learning and the traditional PPP approach and will provide an outline for an OLL program.

In case of rain, meeting will be postponed until May 15th.

Following the meeting, join us for great views and a live Cuban Salsa performance on the 40th floor of the Sky Building from 5:00 (admission 700 yen). After that we'll be going to one of the many great restaurants in the modern but old-style basement level for dinner, drinks, and more discussion.

Sunday, May 22nd, 2005

Storytelling and Extensive Reading Workshop

Speaker: Beniko Mason, Rex Tanimoto, and The Multi-lingual Materials Development Group
Time: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM (Sun., May 22nd, 2005)
Fee (JALT members): 1000 yen
Fee (One-Day members): 2000 yen
Prefecture: Osaka
City: Osaka
Venue: YMCA International School, JR/Chuo Bentencho station, ORC 200 bldg 8F, tel: 06-4395-1002 (www.oyis.org/main/contact_us.htm)
Description: This event is co-sponsored by Osaka JALT, OFSET Teachers Union, and others.

Dr. Beniko Mason, Associate Professor of Shitennoji International Buddhist University, is an expert in Extensive Reading and The Natural Approach language method. She'll discuss the use of storytelling and extensive reading in her language program. For her research articles refer to www.benikomason.net .

Rex Tanimoto, Associate Professor at Osaka Gakuin University, specializes in digital storytelling production. He enjoys writing, narrating, and recording stories and designing language skills activities for them. He is the author of 'The Storyteller', 'Uncle Rex�s Storytelling Time', and 'Digi Tales I'.

The Multi-lingual Materials Development Group is led by Stephen Thompson and has been developing language learning materials in English, Japanese, Chinese, Korean, Tagalog, Thai, Spanish and Portuguese. Space for this event is limited to 50. Please preregister by contacting Stephen Thompson at 072-885-3856, 090-1226-2317 or steven_sensei@yahoo.com .

For more details about this event, please see http://www.osakajalt.org/additional_events.html

Sunday, June 26th, 2005

Tech Day

Speaker: Gordon Wilson (Hannan Univ.), Steve Silsbee (Hannan & Momoyama Universities), Cameron Romney (Momoyama Univ.), & Marlen Harrison (Momoyama & Doshisha Universities)
Time: 1:00 PM - 5:30 PM (Sun., June 26th, 2005)
Fee (JALT members): 500
Fee (One-Day members): 1500
Prefecture: Osaka
City: Osaka
Venue: Building 1 of Hannan University's main campus, a 10-minute walk north of Kawachi Imami station, on the Kintetsu line from Tennoji. For assistance on the 26th call 080-3789-6394.
Description: The presenters will share their experiences and ideas for putting technology to better use in and out of the classroom. This will be a hands-on afternoon with topics including using lesser known features of Microsoft Word to help improve the look of handouts used in class, using Pal-Talk and Skype to get students enjoying speaking with each other in English, using Movie-Maker software, creating free online surveys, and more. Be prepared for some seriously fun hands-on computer time! Feel free to bring a favorite language learning or teaching website or bit of technical knowledge to share. Doors open at 1:00 and the first workshop will start at about 1:30. Look for the JALT banners when you get to the campus. Dinner will follow at a nearby restaurant.

Sunday, July 17th, 2005

2nd Annual Work in Progress Mini-Conference: A Day Celebrating Learner Development

Speaker: Stacy Vye, Yoko Wakui, Marlen Harrison, Matthew Apple, Amanda Bradley, Etsuko Shimo, Brian Caspino, Bob Sanderson, Denise Haugh, Terry Fellner and more!
Time: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM (Sun., July 17th, 2005)
Fee (JALT members): 1000 yen (half-day 700 yen), Student JALT members 600 yen (half-day 400 yen)
Fee (One-Day members): 2000 yen (half-day 1400 yen), Students 1000 yen (half-day 800 yen)
Prefecture: Osaka
City: Osaka
Venue: Osaka City Municipal Lifelong Learning Center, on the fifth floor of Umeda's Dai-2 Building. Tel: 06-6345-5000. www.manabi.city.osaka.jp
Description: Co-sponsored by JALT's Osaka Chapter and Learner Development SIG, the morning program will feature poster sessions by teacher-learners contributing to the LD SIG's forthcoming anthology of papers entitled "AYA2" (Autonomy You Ask, Volume 2), focusing on issues in learner and teacher autonomy. The afternoon will offer a chance to preview several presentations planned for the LD forum at JALT's national conference in October focusing on the theme of "Expressing Ourselves". The one-day mini-conference will provide a variety of learning formats, and those attending will be encouraged to share, discuss, and explore their experiences as learners and participants.

At last year's event, many commented that socializing over bentos at lunch time was a highlight of the day. We're therefore encouraging all participants to bring a lunch so as to be able to stay and relax and continue discussions over the lunch hour. There are a number of restaurants in the area as well for those that would prefer to go out for lunch.

Wednesday, September 7th, 2005

Teaching Grammar Communicatively CANCELLED DUE TO TYPHOON

Speaker: David Nunan
Time: 1:00 PM - 3:30 PM (Wed., September 7th, 2005)
Fee (JALT members): free
Fee (One-Day members): free
Prefecture: Osaka
City: Osaka
Venue: Building 6 room 642 at Hannan University's main campus, a 10-minute walk north of Kawachi Imami station, on the Kintetsu line from Tennoji.
Description: With the develpoment of communicative approaches to language teaching, some language specialists have called into question the place of grammar in the curriculum. For some it plays a minor role, and for others it has no place at all. In this presentation, Dr. Nunan will argue that grammar is of fundamental importance in the communicative classroom. However, the approach to teaching grammar in the classroom needs to reflect principles of communicative language teaching. During the presentation, participants will be introduced to classroom techniques to do just that.

Thomson Publishing is sponosoring Dr. Nunan on his trip to Japan, and they will be providing light refreshments after the presentation.

Doors open at 12:00 noon, presentation starts at 1:00. For an access map to Hannan University please see http://www.hannan-u.ac.jp/english/map.html

Saturday, October 22nd, 2005

4th Annual Storytelling Festival and Symposium

Speaker: Curtis Kelly, Chuck Sandy, Beniko Mason, Charles Kowalski, Brian Caspino, Rex Tanimoto, and more (including students)
Time: 9:00 AM - 4:30 PM (Sat., October 22nd, 2005)
Fee (JALT members): Free!
Fee (One-Day members): Free!
Prefecture: Osaka
City: Osaka
Venue: Osaka Gakuin University, at JR Kishibe stn or Hankyu Shojaku stn. Details and map at http://www.osaka-gu.ac.jp/english/
Description: The 4th annual Storytelling Festival and Symposium is presented by Osaka Gakuin University in cooperation with the Osaka Prefecture Board of Education and the Osaka & Kyoto chapters of JALT, and includes numerous teacher and student storytellers from Osaka prefecture and abroad. Original stories composed using presentation software such as PowerPoint as well as traditional storytelling will be featured in abundance. Storytellers include guests from Saipan in addition to senior high school, junior college and university students, as well as elementary, junior high and senior high school teachers in Osaka Prefecture. Awards will be given for outstanding entries in the categories of Adventure, Comedy, and Warm Hearted. For more information see www.kyotojalt.org or www.osakajalt.org .

Saturday, December 17th, 2005

Osaka Chapter Bonenkai at Universal City's 'Chicago for Ribs' restaurant

Speaker: everyone
Time: 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM (Sat., December 17th, 2005)
Fee (JALT members): same
Fee (One-Day members): Dinners start at about 1400 yen, beers are about 600, soft drinks 300, great corn bread 200, etc.
Prefecture: Osaka
City: Osaka
Venue: Chicago for Ribs restaurant, 5th floor Universal City Walk, www.cfr-jpn.com , 06-4804-5959
Description: Come enjoy the festive holiday atmosphere of Universal City and join us for great barbecued ribs, chicken, seafood, cornbread, and microbrews and to reflect on and celebrate the year gone by at 'Chicago for Ribs' restaurant (www.cfr-jpn.com).

Family and friends are more than welcome. If it's anything like last year's bonenkai you won't want to miss it!! Please let us know if you plan to attend by emailing us at osaka-jalt@gol.com so that we can be sure to reserve enough seats.

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