ELT Calendar

Sunday, September 21st, 2008

(1) Maximizing learner involvement in the language classroom; (2) Activities for Halloween
Time: 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Speaker: Andy Boon
Organization: ETJ Tokyo (English Teachers in Japan)
Location: Tokyo, Tokyo Metropolis
Short description: Maximising learner involvement in the language classroomEveryday in our classes we teachers are faced with varying degrees of learner attention versus learner distraction, learner activity versus learner passivity, learner effort investment versus learner effort withdrawal, and learner persistence versus learner abandonment.

(1) Good News for All Asian Kids; (2) Fun with Readers, Give Children Confidence!
Time: 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Speaker: (2) Yoko Matsuka; (2) Eiko Takeuchi
Organization: Kagoshima Chapter of the Japan Association for Language Teaching
Location: Kagoshima City, Kagoshima Prefecture
Short description: (1) Good news for all Asian kids!How to use We Can! in the classroom to get your students excited about using English. Author Yoko Matsuka, will introduce the new goal-driven 7-level series (children 3 – 12) and the compelling logic behind it.

Learning from Errors
Time: 1:30 PM - 4:00 PM
Speaker: Mark Rebuk
Organization: Toyohashi Chapter of the Japan Association for Language Teaching
Location: Toyohashi City, Aichi Prefecture
Short description: Although typical errors by Japanese learners are sometimes covered in writing and other classes, little or no attention is given to those made by native English Speakers.

Bilingual Education in Asia
Time: 2:00 PM - 4:30 PM
Speaker: Jason Good
Organization: Gunma Chapter of the Japan Association for Language Teaching
Location: Maebashi City, Gunma Prefecture
Short description: This year there are more than 100 registered bilingual and international schools in Bangkok, both public and private. Taiwan has 12 large bilingual schools across the country, including a government sponsored bilingual school which with a 20 year history.

Thinking Podcasting? Thing Again
Time: 2:00 PM - 4:45 PM
Speaker: Alec McAuley
Organization: Nagano Chapter (formerly the Shinshu Chapter) of the Japan Association for Language Teaching
Location: Ueda City, Nagano Prefecture
Short 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.

(1) Cultural Factors in Teaching English; (2) Improving Your Public Speaking Skills
Time: 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Speaker: (1) Hideo Horibe, Hiroshima Instutute of Technology; (2) Jim Forsyth, Aki Toastmaster's Club
Organization: Hiroshima Chapter of the Japan Association for Language Teaching
Location: Hiroshima City, Hiroshima Prefecture
Short description: During the first hour, Hideo Horibe will talk about which cultural factors should be incorporated into the classroom. During the second hour, Jim Forsyth will explain about Toastmasters, and will lead a session in which participants can test their presentation skills.