ELT Calendar

Sunday, July 8th, 2012

Mini-conference: Thinking Critically
Time: 9:15 AM - 4:10 PM
Speaker: James Crocker, David Kluge, James Matchett, Steve Quasha, and Ken Slater
Organization: Toyohashi Chapter of the Japan Association for Language Teaching
Location: Toyohashi City, Aichi Prefecture
Short description: This mini-conference, jointly sponsored by the College and University Educators (CUE) SIG, the Critical Thinking SIG, and the Speech, Drama & Debate (SD&D) SIG, will feature presentations and workshops on the topic of critical thinking and debate in language learning and teaching.

Cambridge ESOL Speaking Examiner Training
Time: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Speaker: Jim George (Luna International JP004)
Organization: Cambridge English Language Assessment - JP004 (Luna International)
Location: Tokyo, Tokyo Metropolis
Short description: Professional development day-long session to train experienced and qualified teachers to be become Speaking Examiners (SEs). This workshop will cover the speaking tests for the Key English Test (KET) and Preliminary English Test (PET), the Lower Main Suite of Cambridge ESOL's examinations for adults (CEFR levels A2 and B1).

Balance in Language Teaching
Time: 10:30 AM - 1:00 PM
Speaker: Rob Waring (Notre Dame Seishin University)
Organization: Language Teaching Professionals
Location: Tokyo, Tokyo Metropolis
Short description: This workshop overviews various aspects of language teaching to determine the appropriate balance of listening and reading and speaking and writing as well as language focus and fluency focus instruction both at the curriculum and lesson planning levels.

Oxford All-Japan Summer Tour for Teachers 2012 (Kashiwa, Chiba)
Time: 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Speaker: Ishii Yoko (Yoko Kids' Club), Aurora Dobashi (Saitama Board of Education)
Organization: Oxford University Press
Location: Kashiwa City, Chiba Prefecture
Short description: From mid-June to late-September, Oxford University Press will be holding a tour of 30 cities across the country. There will be presentations at each venue on teaching pre-schoolers and children up to the age of 12.

Oxford All-Japan Summer Tour for Teachers 2012 (Shizuoka)
Time: 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Speaker: Ishii Yoko (Yoko Kids' Club), Marco Brazil (Beans International)
Organization: Oxford University Press
Location: Shizuoka City, Shizuoka Prefecture
Short description: From mid-June to late-September, Oxford University Press will be holding a tour of 30 cities across the country. There will be presentations at each venue on teaching pre-schoolers and children up to the age of 12.

Getting the most out of your materials
Time: 2:00 PM - 4:30 PM
Speaker: Rob Waring
Organization: Language Teaching Professionals
Location: Tokyo, Tokyo Metropolis
Short description: This workshop will focus on learning how to assess and adapt various types of ELT materials for suitability for in various learning environments. Participants will also learn the principles underlying the creation of classroom materials and have a chance to create or adapt their own in the workshop in groups.

Sainokuni Joint ETJ Saitama and JALT Omiya Meeting: Moving Music to Center Stage for Creative Learning
Time: 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Speaker: Deborah Grow
Organization: Saitama Chapter of the Japan Association for Language Teaching
Location: Saitama City, Saitama Prefecture
Short description: Moving Music to Center Stage for Creative Learning will address the power of music and rhythm and how they can improve language skills. By delving a bit into neuroscience, we will explore the higher faculties of learning and the influence of music and rhythm on memory and language.

Moving Music to Center Stage for Creative Learning
Time: 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Speaker: Deborah Grow
Organization: ETJ Saitama (English Teachers in Japan)
Location: Saitama City, Saitama Prefecture
Short description: Part One - Tapping into the Higher Faculties of Learning Through Music Part Two - Music and the Young Learner What are the higher faculties of learning and how can music be used to engage these faculties? Why is it that we remember jingles and TV theme songs that we learned many years ago? Why are music and rhythm such powerful and often neglected learning tools? What are some practical ways we can use music in the classroom for both university level students as well as young learners? Moving Music to Center Stage for Creative Learning will address the power of music and rhythm and how they can improve language skills.

SLA and Budo (Martial Arts): Extended, embodied cognition and practical implications for ELT
Time: 2:15 PM - 4:20 PM
Speaker: Yosuke Yanase (Hiroshima University)
Organization: Matsuyama Chapter of the Japan Association for Language Teaching
Location: Matsuyama City, Ehime Prefecture
Short description: Yosuke Yanase will use Budo as an analogy for SLA and highlight some interesting aspects of skill acquisition and consciousness/non-consciousness in Budo.

Call for Papers Due July 8th (Sunday)

The 16th JLTA Annual Conference (JLTA 2012)
Call for papers due: July 8th (Sunday)
Event Date: October 27th (Saturday), 2012
Overview: The 16th Annual Conference of the Japan Language Testing Association (JLTA 2012) will be held October 27th at Senshu University, Kawasaki City, Kanagawa Prefecture.