Osaka Chapter

(Read the archived description for the Osaka Chapter)

Osaka Chapter Events in 2006

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

Sunday, January 29th, 2006

Shinnenkai at Osaka Hilton's Checkers Restaurant

Speaker: no one/everyone
Time: 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM (Sun., January 29th, 2006)
Fee (JALT members): same
Fee (One-Day members): About 4000 to 5000 yen per person for dinner buffet
Prefecture: Osaka
City: Osaka
Venue: Brasserie Checkers Restaurant, on the 2nd floor of the Hilton Hotel, just across from JR Osaka station (tel. 06-6347-7111)
Description: Continue ringing in the new year and celebrate the near completion of another hopefully successful semester with us while tucking into Checkers' dinner buffet or something else on the menu! With a wide selection of Japanese and Western dishes, at 4,050 yen/person, their buffet is reputed to be quite a deal (add 1150 yen if you'd like your fill of 8 kinds of wine!). See map at http://www.hilton.com/en/hi/hotels/maps_directions.jhtml?ctyhocn=OSAHITW#localmap

This may turn into a "rolling" party so that if you'd like to come earlier (they open at 5:30 pm) or later (they close at 11:00 pm) that's very possible (2 hour limit on the buffet though).

Friends, family, teachers, students: all are very welcome to attend. Please RSVP to Bob Sanderson at sanderson808@gol.com , and please indicate the time you'd like to start if other than 7:00pm.

(If you missed our bonenkai you won't want to miss this!)

Friday, February 17th, 2006

Exploring Action Research Methods: Examples from an Extensive Reading Program

Speaker: Greg Sholdt, Himeji Dokkyo University
Time: 6:15 PM - 8:45 PM (Fri., February 17th, 2006)
Fee (JALT members): 500 yen (Now only 1000 yen to join as local member!)
Fee (One-Day members): 1500 yen
Prefecture: Osaka
City: Osaka
Venue: Osaka City Municipal Lifelong Learning Center's 6th floor meeting room of Umeda's Dai-2 Building. Tel: 06-6345-5000. www.manabi.city.osaka.jp
Description: The conceptualizations, justifications, and benefits of action research will be explored in this presentation and the basic steps of conducting an action research project, including a variety of techniques for collecting and analyzing data, will be described. The presenter will share his experiences collaborating on several projects investigating an extensive reading program at a Japanese university and explain how the results of those investigations serve to adjust the format and implementation of the program. Participants will work together to identify a topic for action research in their own classrooms, select appropriate methods of data collection and analysis, and develop a feasible plan of action. The primary goal of the meeting is to have each participant come away with a clear plan of action, knowledge of the necessary steps and available resources, and the confidence to carry out their research project with success.

Greg Sholdt holds a BA in Psychology from the University of Virginia and an MEd in Educational Psychology from the University of Hawaii. He taught graduate level introductory statistics courses and a course on educational psychology for students in the teacher education program at the University of Hawaii. He has also worked as a statistical consultant assisting graduate students with the analysis of their research data and interpretation of their findings. In addition to Extensive Reading, Sholdt's research interests also include motivation and CALL. He currently teaches and conducts research at Himeji Dokkyo University.

For further details please see www.osakajalt.org

Friday, March 3rd, 2006

Civil Rights in Japan

Speaker: Arudou Debito
Time: 6:15 PM - 8:45 PM (Fri., March 3rd, 2006)
Fee (JALT members): 500 yen
Fee (One-Day members): 1500 yen (Osaka JALT local membership now only 1000 yen!)
Prefecture: Osaka
City: Osaka
Venue: The sixth floor meeting room of the Osaka Ekimae Dai-2 Building's Lifelong Learning Center, Tel:06-6345-5000. www.manabi.city.osaka.jp
Description: As educators we have a responsibility to have some awareness of society at large. One measure of a society is how it treats or protects its weakest members. After a brief overview of the treatment of some of Japan's minority groups, the speaker will focus on discrimination against foreigners citing some examples and opening the floor to discussion about the ins and outs of the issue.

Arudou Debito (formerly David Aldwinkle) is an American born, naturalized Japanese citizen living and teaching in Hokkaido who is best known for his social activism regarding the rights of foreign residents in Japan. Author of "Japanese Only--The Otaru Onsen Refusals and Racial Discrimination in Japan" and frequent columnist for The Japan Times, Arudou has brought the issue of foreigner rights into the media limelight. While considered by some to be nothing more than a disgruntled protestor, he maintains his position that Japan still does not do its best regarding the rights of minority groups, including foreigners. His criticism extends to businesses, police, and government agencies at both the local and national levels. His most recent cause involves the case of Steve McGowan, an American who claims to have been thrown out of an Osaka eyeglass shop due to the color of his skin. As a university instructor, Arudou has numerous commercial and academic publications dealing with education, as well as social issues. Whether or not you agree with his views, this event is sure to spark lively debate. For Further information about Arudou Debito, please visit his homepage at: http://www.debito.org/

This meeting will be held in the 6th floor meeting room of the Lifelong Learning Center, in the Osaka Ekimae Dai-2 building a few minutes walk from JR Osaka and all Umeda area train and subway stations.

Sunday, April 2nd, 2006

Imprisoned in America: The Mary Matsuda Gruenewald Story

Hanami Social afterwards near Osaka Castle

Speaker: Mary Matsuda Gruenewald, author of Looking Like the Enemy: My Story of Imprisonment in Japanese American Internment Camps
Time: 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM (Sun., April 2nd, 2006)
Fee (JALT members): 500 yen for JALT and SIETAR members (Osaka JALT local membership now only 1000 yen!)
Fee (One-Day members): 1,000 yen
Prefecture: Osaka
City: Osaka
Venue: The Dawn Center, near Keihan/subway Temmabashi station, 06-6910-8615. See http://www.dawncenter.or.jp/english/contact.html#how_to_access for map and directions. Child care available with advanced notice.
Description: Ms. Matsuda Gruenewald will visit Japan for the first time and share her timely story with us. Afterwards please join us as we enjoy the cherry blossoms along the river near Temmabashi station.

This event is co-sponsored by NewSage Press, SIETAR Kansai, and Kyoto JALT.

Sunday, May 21st, 2006

Tech Day 2006

Speaker: Gordon Wilson, Bill Pellowe, Robert Chartrand, Cameron Romney, and more
Time: 1:00 PM - 5:30 PM (Sun., May 21st, 2006)
Fee (JALT members): 500 yen (Osaka local membership is now only 1000 yen!)
Fee (One-Day members): 1500 yen
Prefecture: Osaka
City: Osaka
Venue: Computer lab on the third floor of building 6 at Hannan University's main campus, a 10-minute walk north of Kawachi Imami station, on the Kintetsu line from Tennoji.
Description: This event is intended to hone our computer skills, and to share favorite websites and software that should be helpful to teachers and learners both in and out of the classroom.

Gordon Wilson, of Hannan University, will show how to use Open Office dictionaries--creating customized web-based dictionaries for use in test making and in students' customized dictionaries for personalized vocabulary study.

Bill Pellowe and Robert Chartrand will make two joint presentations: (1) Using podcasts, the latest online trend, with your students - even without an iPod. (2) Using your iPod in the classroom. For those who do have ipods, the presenters will show the advantages of using them in the classroom in writing, reading and speaking lessons, including how to use an iPod to show photo slideshows and videos. Pellowe teaches at Kinki University in Iizuka City, and Chartrand at Kurume University in Kurume City, both in Fukuoka Prefecture. They are the producers of ELT Podcast, www.eltpodcast.com

Cameron Romney, of Momoyama University in Osaka, will show how to use Microsoft Word, Excel and Outlook to send personalized mass e-mailings, which are great for letting large groups of students or others know the same information without all of their addresses appearing in the "to" line.

All that attend will be encouraged to share ideas and favorite websites of potential interest. Dinner party follows.

Sunday, May 28th, 2006

Storytelling Workshop

Speaker: Charles Kowalski, Brian Caspino, Steve Thompson, David Simpson, and more
Time: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM (Sun., May 28th, 2006)
Fee (JALT members): 2000 yen (Local membership is now just 1000 yen)
Fee (One-Day members): 3000 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: "Storytelling is the most powerful way to put ideas into the world of today."

�Robert McAfee Brown

Would you like to be a better storyteller?

Would you like to help your students remember vocabulary, express themselves more richly, and enjoy talking more?

The short story:

1. Charles Kowalski, Master Storyteller and main facilitator for the day, spearheaded the Storytelling Space at JALT 2005. He has an MA in TESOL and Spanish from the School for International Training in Vermont, and a certificate in teaching Japanese from the Monterey Institute of International Studies in California. He taught a storytelling course at Oberlin College and has conducted storytelling workshops for language teachers throughout Japan and in the U.S., Taiwan, Russia, Singapore, Korea, Thailand and Cambodia. He received the 2002 'Best of JALT' award from Kobe chapter and is the founder of Storyspace: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/storyspace.

2. Brian Caspino, Passionate Language Learner and English Instructor, teaches at Himeji Dokkyo University and is currently studying in the Temple University PhD program.

3. Steven Thompson and David Simpson, are the developers of Club L, an interactive internet based movie, music, art, and book site

4. High School and Adult Student Group: is a group of students sharing their experiences with reading, storytelling and improving their English.

5. You

Please bring a SIMPLE story of your choice, either from memory or a picture book. We will share this in the group.

Besides storytelling, you will have the opportunity to enjoy several mini-presentations and to tour the amazing facilities at the YMCA International Elementary and Junior High School. All teachers from all areas are welcome and are encouraged to share ideas in Japanese or English, and to invite other teachers and students.

Space is limited to 50, so please pre-register (if possible by May 25) by e-mail, fax or telephone. We will confirm your registration by e-mail, but please include a telephone number in case there are contact problems. Contact Steven Thompson, Kadoma Namihaya High School, steven_sensei@yahoo.com Cell: 090-1226-2317 Home: Tel/Fax: 072-885-3856

Sunday, June 11th, 2006

Authoring Autonomy: Experience, Resistance and Resolution

Speaker: Tim Murphey, Keiko Sakui, Neil Cowie, Stacey Vye, Eric Skier, and Martha Robertson
Time: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM (Sun., June 11th, 2006)
Fee (JALT members): 1000 yen (700 yen for half day) [Local chapter membership is now just 1000 yen!]
Fee (One-Day members): 2000 yen (1400 yen for half day)
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: This is our 3rd annual Osaka Chapter/LD SIG collaboratively co-sponsored day-long event. This year we'll focus on exploring teachers' and learners' learning experiences, identifying critical issues and moments in our development of learner and teacher autonomy, and learning from them.

There will be four workshops:

1. "The Identity Construction and Performance Weight of Intent Participation", led by Tim Murphey of Dokkyo University

2. "Student Resistance: How Can We Deal With It and Is It a Reflection of Students' (Lack of) Motivation?", led by Keiko Sakui of Kobe Shoin Women's University

3. "Resolution: Reasons Why Experienced EFL Teachers Stay Positive and Motivated", led by Neil Cowie of Okayama University

4. "Exploring Critical Moments of Change in Our Learning and Teaching Lives", led by Stacey Vye of Meikai University

In addition, Eric Skier of Tokyo University of Pharmacy and Life Science will discuss developments of AYA2, the second Anthology of Japan-based action research projects examining student and teacher development, produced by the Learner Development SIG. Finally, Martha Robertson of Aichi University will lead a reflective activity to wrap up and tie together the day's workshops and discussions.

Don't miss this sure-to-be-lively and participatory event! If you can't make it for the day of workshops, be sure to join us for the party afterwards! Watch this space or see www.osakajalt.org for further details!!

Sunday, July 9th, 2006

Group Building in the Classroom

Speaker: Warren Decker
Time: 2:30 PM - 4:00 PM (Sun., July 9th, 2006)
Fee (JALT members): Free!
Fee (One-Day members): Free!
Prefecture: Osaka
City: Osaka
Venue: Room 1-B: Izumi Lifelong Learning Center
Description: As teachers, how can we�

�learn or at least use all of our students' names?

�help our students feel comfortable with us and with each other?

�encourage them to work together and help each other?

This is a workshop for anyone interested in these questions. We will start with some simple name games, progressing through to increasingly challenging team work activities. The latter portion of the workshop is open for a discussion and idea exchange.

This workshop will feature lots of active participation, so please wear comfortable clothing, and come prepared to share your favorite name learning and group building activities with everyone else.

Come on down to Izumi for a great afternoon of group building activities!

Warren Decker currently teaches at Momoyama Gakuin University in Osaka. Formerly he was in Sendai on the JET program where he taught at elementary, junior high, and special needs schools. After two years as an ALT, he became the Chief Educational Advisor in the Sendai City Board of Education, responsible for professional development of 70 ALTs. He has a Master's degree in English Education from the University of North Carolina. Outside of the classroom, he enjoys spending time with his wife and two children and exploring mountains.

Sunday, October 29th, 2006

Osaka Chapter annual officer elections and business meeting, followed by "Wine, Cheese, & The New TOEICR"

Speaker: Lin Lougheed, representing Pearson Longman, and Grant Trew, representing Oxford University Press
Time: 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM (Sun., October 29th, 2006)
Fee (JALT members): free
Fee (One-Day members): free
Prefecture: Osaka
City: Osaka
Venue: The Dawn Center, near Keihan/subway Tenmabashi station (06-6910-8615), Seminar Room 2 on the fifth floor. See http://www.dawncenter.or.jp/english/contact.html#how_to_access for map and directions.
Description: Osaka Chapter members are encouraged to meet for our chapter business meeting and annual officers' election, starting at 11:00 am near Temmabashi station. For details please email sanderson808@gol.com .

Then from 1:30 pm, Osaka JALT, in conjunction with Nara and Kyoto chapters, welcome two experts to tell us about the new TOEICR test, brought to us by Pearson Longman and Oxford University Press.

1:30 Doors Open

2:00-3:00 Lin Lougheed: "Preparing for the new TOEICR"

The new items types and expanded length of TOEICR 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 TOEICR and for teachers preparing these students.

3:00- 3:15 Break. Book display for Oxford University Press & Pearson Longman

3:15-4:15 Grant Trew: "New TOEICR: New Challenges, New Skills"

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.

4:15-5:00 Wine and Cheese reception and book displays from Pearson Longman & Oxford University Press.

Lin Lougheed started his EFL career in 1968 as a Peace Corps volunteer in Turkey and has been teaching, teacher training, writing, and presenting at conferences ever since. He earned his doctorate at Teachers College, Columbia University and has received two Fulbright awards: a scholar grant in Sri Lanka and a professor grant in Tunisia. In 1983, he founded Instructional Design International, Inc. to develop English teaching materials in all media. Lin Lougheed is a past member of the TESOL Executive Board and has also served the organization as Chair of two special interest groups: Teaching English Internationally and Materials Writers. He is an acknowledged leader in TOEIC and TOEFL preparation and has written over 35 EFL/ESP texts.

Grant Trew has been working in the field of EFL for nearly 20 years in the UK, the Middle East and Japan. For more than 15 of those years he has had a special involvement with the TOEIC test, including teaching, materials writing, course design and planning/running large scale teacher training courses. He is an ETS trained item writer for both the current TOEIC (Listening and Reading) test, and the soon to be released Speaking and Writing components.

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