ELT Calendar

Saturday, January 26th, 2008

Tokyo: Briefing sessions on postgraduate course on teaching Japanese
Time: 1:30 PM - 4:30 PM
Speaker: Teruyuki Zushi, the principal of the Institute of International Education in London
Organization: Institute of International Education in London
Location: Tokyo, Tokyo Metropolis
Short description: The Institute of International Education in London will hold briefing sessions on a postgraduate program on teaching Japanese as a foreign language that the organization offers in the British capital.

Two Presentations: (1) Looking at Changes in the Center Shiken - Now vs. Then; (2) Studies on Japanese EFL Learners' Demotivation
Time: 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Speaker: (1) Michael Guest, Miyazaki University; (2) Keita Kikuchi, Waseda University
Organization: Nagasaki Chapter of the Japan Association for Language Teaching
Location: Nagasaki City, Nagasaki Prefecture
Short description: For our first meeting of 2008, we are pleased to host two different but complementary presentations. Michael Guest of Miyazaki University will outline some important but often disregarded facts, features and practical circumstances regarding the Center Shiken in terms of its 1981 and 2006 versions.

A Hands-On Approach to Teaching Young ESL Learners
Time: 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Speaker: Elizabeth (Liz) Yoshikawa
Organization: Okinawa Chapter of the Japan Association for Language Teaching
Location: Nago City, Okinawa Prefecture
Short description: Liz Yoshikawa, who was born in England and raised in South Africa and Canada, has taught in Thailand, the U. K.

Professional Peer Development: Teacher-directed classroom observations
Time: 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Speaker: Robert Croker and Juanita Heigham
Organization: Kobe Chapter of the Japan Association for Language Teaching
Location: Kobe City, Hyogo Prefecture
Short description: Teachers at all stages in their professional journey benefit from having another teacher come and observe their class. The observer can provide the teacher with important information about students, materials, presence, and classroom management; it can also help teachers connect their teaching philosophy and approach to their classroom teaching.

Job Hunting for Teachers
Time: 6:00 PM - 8:30 PM
Speaker: Cameron Romney
Organization: Osaka Chapter of the Japan Association for Language Teaching
Location: Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture
Short description: Recent instability in the Japanese job market for English teachers has many teachers looking for work or considering changing positions. While there is no one surefire technique for getting a job, there are many things job seekers can do to increase the likelihood of being hired.