ELT Calendar

Sunday, April 27th, 2003

Promoting Cultural Sensitivity and Critical Thinking in English Class (day 2 of 2)
Time: 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Speaker: Ada Loredo, Ateneo de Manila University
Organization: AGEnT: Association for Global English Teaching
Location: Tokyo, Tokyo Metropolis
Short description: Day 2 examines critical thinking through exercises in critical reading and writing as components of critical thinking. This session allows the participants to review and apply reading and writing principles that require taking a personal stand and supporting it convincingly.

My Share with Students and Teachers
Time: 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Speaker: Panel Moderated by Tim Grose
Organization: Hokkaido Chapter of the Japan Association for Language Teaching
Location: Sapporo City, Hokkaido Prefecture
Short description: How often do we really listen to our students? We think we know what works in our classes and take much for granted, seldom confirming our instincts with the students themselves.

Teachers Talking About Teaching
Time: 1:30 PM - 3:30 PM
Speaker: various speakers
Organization: Iwate-Aomori Chapter of the Japan Association for Language Teaching
Location: Morioka City, Iwate Prefecture
Short description: What do we language teachers do in our classrooms? The last student closes the door and the language classroom is a secret territory, its goings-on known only to the students and the teacher.

Is Comprehensible Input Sufficient for the Development of Foreign Language Skills?
Time: 1:30 PM - 4:30 PM
Speaker: Beniko Mason, Shitennoji International Buddhist University
Organization: Kobe Chapter of the Japan Association for Language Teaching
Location: Kobe City, Hyogo Prefecture
Short description: Beniko Mason will report the results of studies that have investigated the efficacy and efficiency of extensive reading and listening on the development of reading comprehension, reading speed, writing, grammar, and vocabulary.

Language Status in New Zealand: Some Educational Implications
Time: 1:30 PM - 4:30 PM
Speaker: Roger Barnard, Waikato University, New Zealand
Organization: Nagasaki Chapter of the Japan Association for Language Teaching
Location: Nagasaki City, Nagasaki Prefecture
Short description: Dr. Roger Barnard's appearance is being generously supported by Junshin Catholic University of Nagasaki.

Spring Picnic Party [postponed to 4/27]
Time: 1:30 PM - 4:30 PM
Speaker: It's a picnic!
Organization: Osaka Chapter of the Japan Association for Language Teaching
Location: Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture
Short 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).

Recent Developments in Monkasho's English Educational Policy
Time: 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Speaker: Kensaku Yoshida
Organization: Tokyo Chapter of the Japan Association for Language Teaching
Location: Tokyo, Tokyo Metropolis
Short description: As a member of one of the research groups created for the "Strategic Plan to Educate Japanese Who Can Use English," as well as a member of the Super English Language High School Assessment and Advisory Committee - two of the most recent Monkasho projects to revise English education in Japan - Kensaku Yoshida will present his views on the Monkasho intiatives.

Taboo English
Time: 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Speaker: Anthony Crooks, Miyagi University of Education
Organization: Sendai Chapter of the Japan Association for Language Teaching
Location: Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture
Short description: This presentation focuses on the issue of addressing Taboo English in the ESL/EFL classroom. It is felt that this linguistic area is a vital feature of English, but it is neglected in most language courses, often to the detriment of the students.