Shinshu Chapter

(Read the archived description for the Shinshu Chapter)

Shinshu Chapter Events in 2008

Events archive by year:
2008; 2007 [11]; 2006 [9]; 2005 [11]; 2004 [10]; 2003 [7]; 2002 [8]; 2001 [6];

Sunday, January 20th, 2008

The Learning Cyclone: Web 2.0 Assisted Recycling Curriculum Design

Speaker: David Ockert
Time: 2:00 PM - 4:45 PM (Sun., January 20th, 2008)
Fee (JALT members): free
Fee (One-Day members): 1,000 yen
Prefecture: Nagano
City: Matsumoto-shi
Venue: Matsumoto M-Wing, Room 4-2, across from PARCO
Description: The speaker will introduce an innovative curriculum system which integrates a reading, communication, and listening course into a self-reinforcing cohesive pedagogy. Furthermore, the system will take advantage of several Web 2.0 technologies to free up both in-class learning opportunities in addition to out-of-class, online testing.

There are several advantages to such a system: the learners are actually learning the language through interactive in-class and on-line socio-collaborative projects; the teacher is free to spend out-of-class time interacting with the students in event-based activities rather than grading 'one-off' assignments; and the system guides the students toward a clear, measurable, and practical series of real-world, work-related skills in accordance with the MEXT Action Plan to Cultivate

"Japanese with English Abilities".

Sunday, February 24th, 2008

Possibilities of Learning on the Move: Investigating an Intelligent

Mobile Phone-based Vocabulary Tutor

Speaker: Glenn Stockwell, Ph.D. Waseda University
Time: 2:00 PM - 4:45 PM (Sun., February 24th, 2008)
Fee (JALT members): free
Fee (One-Day members): 1,000 yen
Prefecture: Nagano
City: Matsumoto-shi
Venue: Matsumoto M-Wing, Room 4-2, across from PARCO
Description: Mobile learning has been identified for some years now as the future direction that CALL as a field is expected to move, and technologies are becoming more accessible to a wider range of learners. In saying this, while the use of mobile devices for language learning has sparked the interest of an increasing number of researchers in recent years (e.g., Thornton & Houser, 2001; Aizawa & Kiernan, 2003), our knowledge of learners' preferences for the mobile platform and their usage patterns remains limited. A recent study by Stockwell (2007) showed that learners who were given the option of completing vocabulary activities on either a mobile phone or desktop computer were far more likely to use the desktop computer than the mobile phone, with over half of the learners failing to perform any of the activities on the mobile phone at all. While commonly cited reasons such as the small screen and the higher cost of the phone were mentioned by the learners in the above study as well, this still leaves several questions regarding learners' preparedness for mobile-based language learning activities. Are learners prepared to use mobile phones for performing complex language learning activities, is there still a preference for desktop computer environments? When and where do those learners who choose to use mobile phones use them, and why do they choose them? The current study investigated learners of English at a Japanese university who were assigned vocabulary learning activities on either a mobile phone or desktop computer. It sought to determine their intentions to use mobile phones for language learning if other options were available, to compare this with their actual usage patterns, and to determine when and why learners used mobile phones. Learner attitudes and preferences were elicited through a post-survey, and usage patterns were determined through analysis of detailed server logs. The results are discussed in terms of the readiness of learners to undertake mobile-based language learning activities, and whether there is still a need to provide alternatives until the mobile phone becomes more established as a language learning tool.

Sunday, March 23rd, 2008

Teaching Young Learners with the Montessori Method

Speaker: Karen Ricks
Time: 2:00 PM - 4:45 PM (Sun., March 23rd, 2008)
Fee (JALT members): free
Fee (One-Day members): 1,000 yen
Prefecture: Nagano
City: Matsumoto-shi
Venue: Nan-nan Hiroba, Shichokakushitsu (AV Room), near Minami Matsumoto Station
Description: Karen Ricks is a certified Montessori teacher of young learners. She will be speaking on various methods that the school uses to invigorate their minds and encourage them to express themselves in English.

We hope that you can join us in welcoming Mrs. Ricks to Shinshu and participate in this event.

Sunday, April 20th, 2008

Teaching pre-teens: Problems and possibilities & From listening to speaking

Speaker: Aleda Krause
Time: 2:00 PM - 4:35 PM (Sun., April 20th, 2008)
Fee (JALT members): free
Fee (One-Day members): free
Prefecture: Nagano
City: Matsumoto-shi
Venue: Luna International, MK bldg 2F, 1-9-16 Motomachi, Matsumoto
Description: First, even the most confident teachers can be challenged by 11- to 12-year olds. Do you experience difficulties generating energy, managing classes with mixed levels, or bringing out shy students? Author of SuperKids and SuperTots, Aleda will share some secrets for success with this activity-based presentation. Second, she will present active, participatory listening tasks to explain and demonstrate the five steps from listening to speaking in an EFL session right from the first lesson. Come prepared with clean ears and lots of energy!

Saturday, May 3rd, 2008

19th Annual Suwako Charity Walk

Speaker: TBA
Time: 8:10 AM - 1:30 PM (Sat., May 3rd, 2008)
Fee (JALT members): free
Fee (One-Day members): free
Prefecture: Nagano
City: Matsumoto-shi
Venue: The south shore of Lake Suwa near the Swan Boat dock.
Description: Please join us for an educational walk halfway around Lake Suwa! After meeting at 8:10 at the "Katakura Fureai Nagisa", we will walk appr. 8 km to the "Kamaguchi Suimon" while learning about life in the lake from Shinshu University graduate students. After lunch (please bring your own), you can enjoy a forum at the Shimohama Kumin Center in Okaya.You will be able to get back to the starting point by a free ride on the Swan Boat which leaves after the forum. Donations (optional, of course!) will be collected for the "Suwa Environmental Town-planning Seminar". Bring a lunch and something to write with.

Sunday, June 22nd, 2008

Statistical Analysis of an Online Survey Questionnaire of Student Motivation and Classroom Activity Preferences

Speaker: David Ockert
Time: 2:00 PM - 4:45 PM (Sun., June 22nd, 2008)
Fee (JALT members): free
Fee (One-Day members): 1,000 yen
Prefecture: Nagano
City: Matsumoto-shi
Venue: Matsumoto M-Wing, Room 4-4 (M-Wing is across from PARCO)
Description: In this presentation the presenter will explain the rationale behind his interest in student motivation; the methods used to gather data on their motivational orientations; twelve pedagogical approaches to language teaching including so-called 'traditional' and 'task-based' methods and show the differences between student preferences amongst them.

Hope to see you there!

Sunday, July 27th, 2008

How to Carry on with Teaching English to Elementary School Children

Speaker: Mr. Keiichi Tsuruta; Prof. Hideki Sakai
Time: 12:30 PM - 4:30 PM (Sun., July 27th, 2008)
Fee (JALT members): free
Fee (One-Day members): free
Prefecture: Nagano
City: Nagano
Venue: Shinshu University Education Faculty Library, 2F
Description: The day�'s schedule: Japanese language is mainly used.

12:30 - 1:30 Presentation of practical activities of teaching English to elementary school children, by Mr. Keiichi Tsuruta (Obuse-machi Kurigaoka Elementary School)

1:40 - 2:00 Discussion

2:00 - 4:30 Lecture & Workshop by Associate Professor Hideki Sakai

4:30 - 4:45 Q & A

As you know, �Teaching English� is to be introduced into the curriculum of elementary schools in 2011. We're sure you all have been preparing for it under the circumstances of English Notebook being distributed to each school next year, in 2009, so soon. However, since it is completely a new start, it is also a fact that some teachers have felt uneasy. This is why this seminar for teaching English to elementary school children is planned.

This seminar is free of charge. Anybody who is interested in it is highly welcome to attend. It will be held on the second floor in the library of the department of education of Shinshu University in Nagano-shi. This is a very good opportunity for all of you not only to get much practical information for teaching skills but also to know one another through carefree discussion, and to widen your network for this study.

The program is held by the three organizations��: Matsumoto-shi Research Group of Education for International Understanding, Shinshu Chapter of NPO Japan Association of Language Teaching (JALT) (jalt.org/groups/Shinshu) and NPO The Society for Testing English Teaching Skills for Elementary School Children.

Contact Tatsuto Tagami at 0263-25-0090 for more information.

Saturday, August 9th, 2008

The First Annual JALT Shinshu Family Retreat

Speaker: none
Time: 10:00 AM - 10:00 PM (Sat., August 9th, 2008)
Fee (JALT members): 6,300 yen per day
Fee (One-Day members): 6,300 yen per day
Prefecture: Nagano
City: Matsumoto-shi
Venue: Shimin No Mori (Ueda-shi). Telephone (0268) 23-0363
Description: When: The weekend of August 9th & 10th, 2008.

Where: Shimin No Mori (Ueda-shi). Telephone (0268) 23-0363.

Who: Any JALT Shinshu members and their offspring.

Cost: Precisely 6, 300 yen per bungalow, with up to five people per bungalow. (Please bring your own sleeping bags, or bedding.)

Registration Deadline: Registration simply involves paying this (non-refundable) 6,300 Yen bungalow rental fee to Sean Mehmet by Tuesday, July 22nd, 2008. Of course, let's all make this inaugural event the family-focused, thoroughly relaxing, good time that it so richly deserves to be!

Sunday, September 21st, 2008

Thinking Podcasting? Think Again.

Speaker: Alec McAuley
Time: 2:00 PM - 4:45 PM (Sun., September 21st, 2008)
Fee (JALT members): free
Fee (One-Day members): 1, 000 yen
Prefecture: Nagano
City: Ueda
Venue: Ueda Chuo Kominkan
Description: The hype in CALL has transferred from blogging and descended onto 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 a video podcast ynu5photos.

The podcast is available at http://www.ynu5photos.blogspot.com

Sunday, October 19th, 2008

Function rather than form as a basis for teaching

Speaker: Trevor Keith Landles
Time: 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM (Sun., October 19th, 2008)
Fee (JALT members): free
Fee (One-Day members): 1,000yen
Prefecture: Nagano
City: Matsumoto-shi
Venue: EZ-Communications (Matsumoto)
Description: While certain functions are often dealt with in EFL material, coursebooks and syllabi are often based on various structures and modal verbs. This workshop will look at how lessons, syllabi and material can be based primarily on various functions such as arranging, expressing regrets or telling anecdotes. It will examine how this approach can make things easier for both teacher and student and how lessons can be more empowering and communicative.

Please follow the url below for directions and the phone number for EZ-Communications in Matsumoto City.

http://www.ezcomm.biz/what_is_ez/what_is_ez.html

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