About Promoting Extensive Reading Accountability (Short Format)

       This short lecture will cover one approach to implementing an extensive reading program. Motivation is one of many psychological constructs which is involved with language learning. At times students are unmotivated to read and often unaccountable for doing assigned independent reading. These problems led to the creation of materials aimed at confronting these issues while also promoting extensive reading, letter writing discourse practice, peer to peer interaction, and self evaluation.

About Family Resemblance Glossaries (Opening Act)

This presentation is interested in a practical technique for creating glossaries inspired by Ludwig Wittgenstein's Family Resemblance Principle. The presenter has found this particularly effective for coaching students for debate. It would also be useful for Content based instruction (CBI) contexts.

About Struggles with Extensive Reading (Short Format)

Extensive Reading should be very effective for foreign language learning, but getting students to read is not as easy as it seems. What can teachers do to make the most of extensive reading? Based on his twelve years as a SHS teacher in Tokyo, the presenter will describe what difficulties teachers are likely to face in implementing extensive reading in the classroom. 

About the Annual General Meeting (AGM) Planning Discussion

As understood by the content of JALT Executive Board Meetings, JALT has resolved to raise fees in some form or fashion. (read your TLT for more info about the fee changes) Shall all members see their fees raises the same amount? Should exceptions be made for part-time educators, and those who are home-based, or in primary and secondary education? Tell us your sentiments and concerns regarding this in order that we may better represent you.

Locally, how many meetings should we be having, and what sort of content should be in those meetings? These questions deserve answers, and we find that our best responses come from being informed about what our members are looking for. Join this meeting, and share your opinions for JALT national and local.

Access maps and info here:

http://saitamajalt.weebly.com/access.html

@Harigaya
Kouminkan
Time: 2:00 pm – 5:00
pm

Videos of John and Allison's presentations 

John Finucane: Teaching in the Private Sector - A Practical Workshop

Abstract: This practical workshop aims to help attendees understand what expectations private schools have of their employees and the challenges these expectations create. Attendees will learn one method to be effective, efficient private school employees.

Bio: John Finucane is an EFL Professional. He is the President and co-founder of さいたま市教育家会
(SCE). He edits the Journal of Saitama City Educators (JSCE). His interests are writing, teacher training, event planning, debate, critical thinking and LEGO. Find out more at:
John-Finucane.com

Note: The workshop requires reservations to be the most effective. It is intended for educators who want to work in a private junior or senior high school or educators who currently work in a private junior or senior high school. RSVP to [email protected]

Allison Imamura: Communicative Presentations

Abstract: This presentation will explore the use of communicative activities in the classroom. Based on the article “A Framework for Assessing the Communicative Potential of Language Activities” by Leander S. Hughes, we will discuss the criteria for determining if an activity is truly communicative or not. From this starting point, an activity called Communicative Presentations will be introduced, which has been built around this framework and involves all of the students in listening and speaking in the target language.

Tianyi ‘Dani’  Zong: How Target-language Achievement in an Extended Study-abroad Experience relates to Perceived Identity

Abstract: This presentation reports the results of a study of the ‘perceived identity’ of International students (Chinese, n = 72) studying at a Japanese university. Results indicating that
Japanese, or any other language in a target society is not only a tool for communication, but a mirror for helping international students clergy their own perceived identity will be presented. Such findings will be supplemented with the presenter’s own narrative data.
(Tianyi was unable to present due to weather)

Masa Tsuneyasu
Pre-reading activities for university students with low proficiency

Warm up activities play an important role in activating students’ schemata. Well-prepared lessons and easy-to-follow steps enhance students learning. This workshop will explain (1) lesson procedures, (2) pre-reading activities, and (3) students’ responses. Active participation as well as feedback of attendees is most appreciated.

Bio:
Masa Tsuneyasu is a lecturer at Utsunomiya University. She received her B.A. and M.A. with TESOL at the University of Utah and is currently a doctoral candidate. Her research interests include the relationships between individual differences, willingness to communicate, and proficiency

Alexander Procter
Using YouTube in the Classroom

YouTube can be an incredibly powerful method of engaging students. This talk aims to make it easier to use YouTube videos in your lessons, and addresses some of the practical issues teachers might have.

Bio:
Alexander Procter has over 11 years of EFL teaching experience in Japan. He holds a Postgraduate Certificate in Education and is therefore qualified to teach in schools in England and Wales. He currently teaches at Kasukabe Kyoei Junior High School. His interests include collaborative learning and CALL.

Michelle Martinie
Organic Apples to Apples

This talk will explain how high school students can use the English vocabulary they have already acquired to make their own games. The two games that will be covered are, “The Picture Game,” and, “Apples to Apples.”

Bio:
Michelle Martinie is a second-year JET Programme participant who enjoys learning about languages and making art. She teaches at Kasukabe East High School and Miyashiro High School.

Rebecca Ros
How to Pen to a Pen Pal.

Writing a letter in English can be a scary prospect for Japanese High School students. This presentation and proposed project aims to break down the daunting task. Taking things right back to letter structuring, and simply asking ‘what should I write about?’ The intention here is to encourage a style of writing from the students that is rarely practiced: free writing. Breaking away from the strict grammar based style of English teaching that dominates 90% of the curriculum, writing letters can be a fun and harmless way to give writing a makeover, turn it into an enjoyable task, and perhaps allow the students to make some friends in a land far from their own.

Bio:
Rebecca Ros is a Drama and Theatre Arts graduate from Goldsmiths, University of London, now working as an Assistant Language Teacher for JET at Koshigaya Nishi High School and Koshigaya Kita High School, with occasional, but incredibly rewarding, visits to Koshigaya Tokubetsushien Gakkou.

John Finucane
WordPress

Why I love WordPress and how I use it.

Bio:
John Finucane is an EFL Professional.  He is the President and co-founder of さいたま市教育家会 (SCE). He edits the Journal of Saitama City Educators (JSCE).  His interests are writing, teacher training, event planning, debate, critical thinking and LEGO. Find out more at John-Finucane.com

Brad Semans
Attention!

In this short workshop a continuum of ways in which teachers hold students attention will be presented and briefly discussed. Participants will then profile their own teaching and share this profile with the group.

Bio:
Brad Semans has more than 10 years of experience teaching in a wide variety of situations here in Japan. For the last three years he has worked as Saitama City’s Head ALT Instructor, leading a team of ALT Instructors to develop curricula, train teachers, and improve language education in the City. His research interests include application of SLA theory to teaching young ELLs, effective teacher development, and teacher accountability.

Fuyuhiko Sekido
Using Japanese Lyrics in the Language Classroom

Abstract:
In this presentation, the presenter will explain an effective way to use J-pop (Japanese Pop Music) and its lyrics. One of the features is CGP, cross-gendered performance, and it makes students think about the difference between Japanese and English. The presenter will tell the exact procedure, and show what materials and activities will be successful for the class.

Matt Shannon and Emery Premeaux
Daiso Classroom

Abstract:
It would be about using some unconventional stationery in the classroom, and it’s a great little workshop that includes something like a paper Sim City. You’d be surprised what these things can do!

Alexander Procter
Effective Task Based Learning Through Jigsaw Activities

Abstract:
This technique promotes learner autonomy by increasing participation, and promoting interaction through jigsaw activities.

John Finucane
How to Create an Effective ‘Cloze’ Listening Activity

Abstract:
A cloze activity is one in which learners listen for words omitted from a passage which they are given. Some practical advice on how to create an effective music cloze activity will be given. An example activity based on ‘Trash’ by Suede is included. Effective cloze activities are those which learners can successfully complete, learn something from and enjoy.

Lawrence Cisar
Making Ebooks For Your Students

Abstract:
Many of our students have either a kindle or an ebook (Nook), and/or they have them on their PC and smartpphone. This presentation demonstrates how to prepare material and put it into the right form using only FREE software.

Alana Schramm
Using sounds and smells to teach vocabulary

Abstract:
This activity teaches vocabulary in an active, enjoyable way. It aims to help retention of vocabulary while motivating students though a more active learning environment.

Teaching Critical Thinking Skills
John Finucane

A workshop about the importance of teaching critical thinking skills to students as EFL learners, how to get started, and how to practice. We will discuss what skills are needed for critical thinking and debate. We will learn some simple classroom exercises for introducing debate. We will do some activities create specifically to teach critical thinking skills.

From Phonics to Literacy

Brad Semans


Methodologies for teaching EFL students reading have advanced a lot in Japan over the last 20 years. However, there is an expansive gap between texts and programs aimed at teaching the basics (phonics/word recognition) and those aimed at managing and manipulating content (reading for specific information/summarizing a passage). In this presentation a teaching style developed to remedy this will be presented, discussed, and tried.

John Finucane 2:05-2:25
Interview Drills
This activity can be used to supplement your text book, at various levels, to make your lessons more communicative. Interview drills can also be used as a springboard to help students to become effective debaters.

John Finucane is a fourth year participant on the JET program. He works as an ALT instructor for Saitama City Board of Education. He is also the President of Saitama City Educators, a teaching organisation based in Saitama City. He currently edits the Journal of Saitama City Educators, a new publication. His interests are debating and critical thinking. He is based in Saitama City.

Carl Bloomfield 2:25-2:45
'What are Heavy?' An ice breaking and rapport building activity
This activity can be used, at various levels, with a new class. The activity helps students practice classroom English. It also helps to build rapport by asking students to work with each other and the teacher to complete an activity in a personal but collaborative way.

Carl Bloomfield is a graphic designer, Step Eiken examiner and junior high school ALT working for the Saitama City Board of Education. He is the Online Chair of Saitama City Educators, a teaching organisation based in Saitama City. He currently co-edits the Journal of Saitama City Educators, a new publication. His interests are CALL, preparation for Step Eiken and IPA. He is based in Saitama City.

Matt Shannon 2:45-3:05
Game Show
This experience-based lesson demonstrates successful elements of contemporary and previous game shows, and how they might best be applied for content retention. Game-related issues such as problem creation, problem selection and scoring, and participant-response dynamics are specifically addressed through examples; a review of studies in cognitive science makes the case for testing as a means of effective content retention.

Matt Shannon is as fifth year teacher for the Saitama City Board of Education, now serving an Assistant Language Teacher Instructor. He is an active member of the Saitama City Educators, and serves as Public Relations chair. Matt greatly enjoys cooking, gardening, and the life sciences. He is based in Saitama.

Dave Magnusson 3:30-3:50
What is a webquest?
A webquest is an inquiry-oriented lesson format in which most or all the information that learners work with comes from the web. Dave Magnusson will show you some webquests.

Dave Magnusson is an Assistant Professor at Meikai University (Chiba Prefecture) and a freelance J-E translator. His interests are in computer-assisted language teaching, media English, international business, translation, and interpretation.

Tyson Rode and Ivan Botev 3:50-4:10
Making English Communication Delicious!
There is one thing that all junior high school students hunger for - school lunch. Two activities will be presented that show how to make English communication class more delicious by collaborating with the school nutritionist.

Tyson Rode is an ALT Instructor for the Saitama City Board of Education. He is now in his fifth year of teaching Saitama City’s English Communication Abilities Development (ECAD) Program and is also a Saturday School teacher at Columbia International School. Tyson is serving as Treasurer for the Saitama City Educators and is a co-editor of the Journal of Saitama City Educators. His research interests include: teacher motivation, content-based instruction, and integrated studies.

Ivan Botev is a full-time instructor in the Saitama City’s English Communication Abilities Development (ECAD) Program in municipal elementary and junior high schools as well as an assistant teacher in the compulsory and elective English classes in junior high school. He currently serves as PR Chair for the JALT Omiya Chapter and also as Membership Chair for the Saitama City Educators. He has been teaching ESL/EFL for over six years now. His current interests include immersion and multilingualism.

CHAOS: A Communication Activity
By
Ivan Botev
JALT Omiya

Abstract: This is the main communication activity for third grade junior high school students, in their first lesson of the English Communication Abilities Development Program (ECAD). It gives teachers a chance to determine students’ abilities and to set the tone for the semester and the year. The chaos activity is a fun way for students to adjust to the kinds of activities they will be expected to do throughout the year. Students will have to perform different types of tasks, some of which they will need assistance understanding. By cooperating with each other, seeking help from the teacher(s), and completing the activity students will need to use all of the communicative skills available to them.

Bio: Ivan Botev is currently a full-time instructor in the Saitama City’s English Communication Abilities Development (ECAD) Program in municipal elementary and junior high schools as well as an assistant teacher in the compulsory English classes in junior high school. He has been teaching ESL/EFL for the past five years. His current interests include immersion and multilingualism. 

Sign Up
By
Graham Finch
ETJ Saitama 

Abstract: SIGN UP! In my presentation I will demonstrate how I use sign language in my school through songs. We will also learn how to sign the alphabet, which I think can be an effective spelling and a memory aid. As there is not one universal sign language this has led me to slight dilemma. Should I use Japanese (JSL), American (ASL) or, because I am from England, British (BSL) sign language? If there is enough time, I would like to discuss what the merits and/or demerits of using sign language in an EFL classroom might be.

Bio: Graham has his own school in the Saitama area. He teaches all ages of students from the very young to the not so young! In 2007 he started to work as an ALT at a school for handicapped children in Tokyo. Some of the student at that school have hearing difficulties and are unable to communicate in Japanese, let alone in English. It was because of this that he became interested in using sign language in his English lesson as a communication tool.

Using Adjectives as a Communication Strategy.
By
John Finucane
JALT Omiya

Abstract: This presentation is about two lessons that were created to prepare students for learning the new skills they would need in junior high school English classes. There were three aims for these lessons. 1) For students to use multiple adjectives, in a sentence, in the correct order. 2) For students to learn and use the word ‘not’ as a communication strategy. 3) To introduce Romanji as a part of the lesson.

Bio:
John is currently a third year Irish ALT on the JET program. He is employed by the Saitama City Board of Education and works at Urawa Municipal High School and Kita Urawa Elementary School.

Simple Sentences for Young Learners
By
Sanae Kawamoto
ETJ Saitama 

Abstract: In this workshop, the presenter will show you how to teach vocabulary and simple sentences in a communicative way to young learners. This method can be used in adult classes too, especially for low-level beginners. The presenter will show you a couple of games using easy sentences that can help students learn in a fun way.

Bio: Sanae is an author, as well as the owner of the English conversation school "English Time”. She currently has two English Time locations in Saitama. She started to learn English when she was 32, which is considered quite late to start learning a language in Japan. Sanae was a self-taught student and never attended any English conversation schools or studied abroad in her pursuit of learning English. 

Do Your Mistakes Stand Out?
By
Shaun Leyland
ETJ Saitama 

Abstract: Students often do not recognize they have spoken English in a way not usually used in general conversation. They are also often very afraid of making a mistake and feel uncomfortable when they realize they have made one. The opposite also exist with students who are not afraid of making a mistake but don't improve because the number of mistakes does not decrease. Let us review how teachers can assist them in realizing that making a mistake is natural and will always happen but with care they may be reduced to a level that allows for general communication with others.

Bio: Shaun studied 10 hours of Japanese before arriving and starting work in a 99% Japanese environment on his second day in Japan. His only chance of understanding was to realize the patterns that existed then learn, when, where and why they changed. Later he started teaching and this continues to influence the way he teaches even 20 years later. The majority of his present students are beginners.

Using Music in the Classroom
By
Calvin Ogata
JALT Omiya

Abstract: Calvin is planning to talk about one of the well-known techniques he uses quite successfully in elementary schools. He will talk a little about the usefulness of songs and chants when teaching students, then demonstrate how he actually introduces a song to a class for the first time. Even if music is not one of your stronger skills, Calvin believes you will definitely want to incorporate this technique after the presentation. Some song and chant books will be suggested may beneficial to use when planning for your own classes.

Bio: Calvin Ogata has been teaching in Japan since 1998. Currently he is with the Saitama City Board of Education, as a Head ALT Instructor, splitting up time between classes and working at the BOE. Calvin graduated from UCLA with a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychobiology, but went on to get a Masters Degree in Education specializing in Curriculum and Instruction. Most recently, he helped to complete the revisal of the ECAD curriculum being used by Saitama City, but in the past has written a number of curriculum books used by Niiza City’s BOE. On an interesting note, his high school senpai from Hawaii is President Obama.