@Sakuragi Kouminkan 5th Floor
2:00-5:00pm


Our partners in the Speech, Drama, and Debate Special Interest Group (SDD SIG) are here at your request, we are proud to welcome Eucharia Donnery and Yukari Saiki; our own Rory Banwell, will open up the event with a complementary presentation.

Rory Banwell 
The Sociocultural Aspects of the EFL Classroom

A lot of the time students are ill-prepared to deal with the intercultural encounters they will face using English. Classrooms tend to focus on easy to recognize, tangible things of language (grammar, vocab, functions etc) and tend to not go into the sociocultural aspects of language learning in any depth. It will be argued that more sociocultural awareness in language learning could really enhance the learning process. How can this be done? 


Eucharia Donnery (Speech, Drama, and Debate SIG)
Drama in the Japanese SLA context: The Perfect Match

For cultural and historical reasons, speaking and oral communication are areas which can pose difficulties for many Japanese English language learners. Nevertheless, it is the teacher’s aim to move students from the teacher-led class to learner linguistic independence. Drama can overcome these difficulties, by communicating affectively THROUGH English, rather than FOR English, while simultaneously promoting long-term learning over short-term study. As the learners’ journey into English progresses, learning moves from the physical confines of the classroom with the teacher in a supportive role to outside of the class in physical collaboration with other learners. As well as emotionally engaging with the tasks, learners express meaning through direct dialogue, replicating the second language struggle to communicate. Drama builds confidence in the learners because fluency takes precedence over accuracy, which is the case initially when learning a second language. Drama also incorporates pronunciation, another area that Japanese EFL learners can find challenging. This workshop aims to demonstrate the rationale for using drama in the Japanese EFL context, moving from the realm of the non-verbal, which can help the most unenthusiastic of learners, into verbal communication. The techniques involved are adaptable for all teaching areas.


Yukari Saiki (Speech Drama, and Debate SIG)
Bringing Drama to Your Class

A common problem in university language classes is a tendency for students to be reserved or shy when speaking out in front of people. Students often say they lack confidence when speaking in public. In order to help students overcome this difficulty I use a modified mini drama procedure in my class. Mini drama is similar to improve activities, but in my class students get 8-10 minutes to prepare for the drama. Nearly 90 percent of students who participated in this drama activity reported that they had greater confidence in public speaking and increased participation in class. Students also reported improved language proficiency as a result of the experience. This presentation will reflect on my experiences teaching international students at Tokai University using a modified version of mini drama, which includes a brief reflection and summary of students’ engagement in the activity.

@Sakuragi Kouminkan 5th Floor
2:00-5:00pm

 




Graham Finch (ETJ Saitama)
Tic Tac Toe

In this presentation the audience will see how the presenter piques students' interest into creating a Tic Tac Toe game and then gets them to drill without realizing they are drilling.

Graham has been teaching for more years than he cares to remember. He teaches at his own language school in Saitama. He is also the ALT at an elementary school in Saitama and at a school for children with special needs in Tokyo.

Coco Okuno (ETJ Saitama)
How to plan the Easter event

Last year, the presenter held Easter and Halloween events in collaboration with Patricia Daly Oe, a picture book writer and English teacher. In this presentation, she’ll show what they did at the Easter event, share the ideas of the songs and games for the different age groups.
They’ll have another Easter event this year too.

Coco Okuno majored in Education at an university in Japan. She took the ESL course at Tulane University in New Orleans. She worked for a famous langage school after graduation, and became a director of one of the branch school in Saitama.　She quit her job as she had her first child, then she started her own school at home when her second child was 1 year old. She’s been teaching there for 18 years.

Allison Imamura (Saitama JALT)
Communicative Presentations

This presentation will explore the idea of transforming student presentations into a communicative activity. We will discuss the meaning of “communicative”, introduce the article, A Framework for Assessing the Communicative Potential of Language Learning Activities, which provides guidelines for assessing and transforming activities into communicative activities and finally introduce an example presentation which meets those criteria. 

Florence Valderama (Saitama JALT)
Yes and.............

A learner's motivation is the primary factor influencing both test performance and success in school. If your students are not motivated, they are not going to learn. The repetition of the word "yes" also helps to create a cooperative and friendly atmosphere in the classroom. In this activity, we use a physical passing activity with the phrase, "Yes, and..." to promote inclusion and idea development.

Samuel Flens (Guest of Saitama JALT)
Inclusive learning for young students

I will present strategies for keeping young learners engaged and involved in English conversation lessons, using picture books, and interactive games. This workshop will feature the beloved classic, "The Hungry Hungry Caterpillar."

Bryan Darr (Saitama JALT)
Effective Writing Feedback: Beyond Red Xs and Os

This presentation explains why oral and written grammar correction is at best ineffective, and at worst discouraging, and provides three solutions to aid teachers from JHS to University in their writing units, all usable tomorrow: a praise-centered key for both form and content comments, peer-review writing processes, and a framework for student-teacher conferencing.

Teigan Babcock (AJET, Saitama JALT)
UNESCO Heritage Sites & Presentation Scavenger Hunts

Reflecting on the needs to find realia and relevance for the globally minded classroom, Teigan Babcock will provide a case for using UNESCO world heritage sites for your student's next group report. Widely accessible to the point of existing in some book form at each school sampled, these presentations provide a link to the larger world around us through recognized places in Japan. Oh, and how might we better train our students to pay attention to their peers' work? Let's try a scavenger hunt!

Tyson Rode and Matt Shannon (Saitama JALT)
Live-Coding a teacher's website with Weebly

 Using the freemium page developer Weebly, we will make a custom website appropriate for a teacher. Everything in this workshop will be free, immediately available to use, and will feature a public website, an easy domain address, photo hosting, page navigation, and contact forms. As stated, this event will be a live-coding event, in which all of the site building is done live with the participation of the audience.

The first Saitama JALT event of the New Year: Cooperative Learning by Joël Laurier
Date: Sunday, January 19th, 2014
Location: Sakuragi Kouminkan 5F


Cooperative learning: teaching that is as easy as 1-2-3-4

Current reforms in the educational landscape are pushing toward a more student-centered approach to education. The talk is now of learning more than teaching. Cooperative Learning (CL) is a research based teaching pedagogy that provides an effective teaching approach, especially in language learning. Through interactive, task based activities, students learn to take control of their own learning. By making students the center of learning, the role of the teacher becomes that of a facilitator, reducing the need to rely on teacher-centered presentations. The classroom then becomes a place where students and teachers work together to create meaningful and fulfilling learning experiences. This hands on workshop will show how attendees how they can use CL to increase active participation between students, build confidence for teachers, and deliver more student-centered English lessons. Attendees will be shown effective CL structures that make learning the student’s responsibility and facilitating the teacher’s concern.

Joël Laurier is a teacher at Gunma Kokusai Academy. Originally from Ottawa, Canada, he is equally proficient in both of Canada's official languages. His research interests are bilingualism, language policy and cooperative learning. He is a 2013 Kagan Academy Scholarship winner and recipient of the 2011 John F. Fanselow Scholarship from Teachers College, Columbia University where he is an MA in TESOL graduate. Along with his son Noah, he is the voice and face of the award-winning Yomiuri Kodomo Shinbum’s Hello Eikaiwa weekly feature. <waldolaurier@gmail.com>


Bryan Darr - Beyond Red Xs and Os [Short Format]
Bryan Darr presented a study of writing correction effectiveness, and the implications of such effectiveness for a teacher tasked with providing writing correction to their charges. Do we just circle errors? Shall we make notes in the margin? Do we demand re-writes? Do we take this information as something which can be used to counsel and conference with our students? In this presentation, Bryan provided his own shorthand for writing corrections as well as providing praise.

A specific and gratious thanks to all the talent we saw. The presentation order was as follows:

Daniel Worden - SCE and JALT Omiya 
Title: An Introduction to Extensive Reading

Bio: Daniel has been a JET Program ALT working in Saitama Prefecture since 2009.
He recently received a MA TESOL from the University of Auckland. His areas of interest include extensive reading, materials development, vocabulary acquisition, and academic writing.

Abstract: Extensive reading is an approach to ESL/EFL reading instruction which aims to develop learners` overall reading ability through reading large quantities of engaging and level-appropriate material. This presentation will explore the basics of extensive reading and suggest how it can benefit learners, particularly in the Japanese EFL learning context.

Die Hu né Butterfly - SCE 
Title: You are more than a language teacher – how to improve students’ self-esteems?

Bio: Die Hu holds a Bachelor of Education from the University of Sydney, majoring in second language teaching as well as visual arts teaching. During her degree, she completed two professional experiences with two different high schools. She is currently an Assistant Language Teaching at Wako International High School, teaching debate and communication. Prior to that, she worked in an Interpreting and Translating agency, and also did English tutoring.

Abstract: As language teachers, we often spend a large amount of time designing and planning fun and engaging learning activities in order to improve students’ language abilities. However, we rarely consider the fundamental determinator of students’ success – self-esteem. Whether or not a student is successful in learning is determined by whether or not he/she believes in his/her ability to learn. This workshop aims to provide more information about the impact of self-esteem on language learning as well as suggest practical strategies teachers can implement in order to improve students’ self-esteems.

(featured video: No Arms, No Legs, No worries (trailer)) - featured Nick Vujicic - Matt's note

Rebecca Quin - SCE

Title: Speak all about it – Effective ways to use the news in oral communication

Bio: Rebecca Quinn graduated with a degree in French and English Literature before moving to Japan to teach English at Wako International High School in 2012. She spent a year in France as an English language assistant and worked as a Press & PR Officer for an Edinburgh theatre while finishing her Masters. In her free time she writes travel articles and attempts to play the piano.

Abstract: Despite the perceived difficulty of news English, useful texts, easily accessed both in print and online, provide a thought-provoking platform for student discussions and in-class presentations. Articles can be exploited in a variety of innovative ways, not only to develop student’s communication skills but also to expand their knowledge of international current affairs. This article offers ideas on how to use news articles effectively in the classroom.

Faye Quinn  - SCE

Title: Using a Journal Style Activity to Encourage Student ALT Interaction

Bio: Faye came to Japan from England as an ALT in July 2011. She teaches English at Shiraoka High School and also has weekly visits to high schools in Kurihashi and Hasuda. Before coming to Japan she studied Mathematics at Durham University where she completed her Masters. Faye has a passion for playing sports, especially football, and enjoys studying languages, particularly Japanese and British Sign Language

Abstract: A presentation about creating and introducing a ‘journal style’ scheme within English classes and the benefits it can have on the student’s motivation, as well as helping to build relationships and encourage communication between students and the ALT.

Teigan Babcock - Omiya JALT - Posters for World Heritage Sites - Use as an illustrative project and for reading comprehension

Larry Cisar - Omiya JALT - [Algebricks: An in-class activity of abstract city building]

Florence Valderama - Omiya JALT - "Theater Games" - using physical activities to bridge the gaps between motivation and comfort to improve brainstorming and idea-sharing. "Yes! ...and"

Lee Ann Genovese and Zach Keesey - An Introduction to TIU@Kawagoe featuring Weebly and Google Forms

Lee Ann Erickson - [Extensive Reading Experiences for introductory readers] featuring Book Bingo

Shaun Iwasawa - SCE 
Title: A Pair Speaking Test and Presentation Rolled Into One

Bio: Shaun has been working in Japan as an ALT for the past 10 years. He began teaching at a public high school through the JET Program. Since then, he has worked at a girl’s school, five elementary schools, and is currently at Kaichi Gakuen, a private Jr./Senior high school.

Abstract: This speaking test activity is aimed at students in middle and high school. It can be used as a one-time activity or as a portion of each class over a term. It allows students to receive immediate feedback and focuses on problem comprehension, writing, memorization and speaking skills. It also allows students to work at their own pace while at the same time keeping all class members working actively.

Alexander Procter - Omiya JALT, SCE
Title: The Talkative Classroom

Bio: Procter has over 13 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.

Abstract: This presentation will offer advice on how to create an atmosphere in which students feel motivated to give their opinions through the use of appropriate questions, primer activities, and transparent evaluation criteria. 

Date: June 9th, 2013
Time: 2:00 – 5:00

 JALT Omiya and ETJ Saitama Joint Event: Each year JALT Omiya and ETJ Saitama come together to share several short presentation workshops.

Miori Shimada: Creating songs with familiar melodies for young learners’ EFL classrooms.

Abstract:  The presentation is to discuss how to create effective songs for children’s EFL classrooms using familiar melodies such as London Bridge. The presenter will introduce simple question songs and picture books using those melodies. The audience will then have a short time to explore creating easy songs for their own classrooms towards the end.

Bio: Miori Shimada has been teaching English to different groups of learners at various schools and institutions for fifteen years. For these seven years she has also taught at several universities in Tokyo and Saitama and had a strong interest in teacher education.

Saori Kaji: Easy activities for Kids

Abstract: In this presentation the audience will be shown several ideas to help children concentrate on the task at hand. Flash card tower, Sit like a Ninja and How to talk about Japan through characters are ideas that she believes will be useful to a wide variety of teachers.

Bio: Saori has been teaching for the last 7 years at home to children of assorted ages. She is a member of a chain franchise that specialises in teaching English to children.

Tyson Rode: 必要性•実用性 Integrating content and language through presentations in the EFL context.

Abstract: In this presentation, the audience will hear an argument for content-based presentations and how they instill a sense of necessity and practicality for students in the classroom. The presenter will also give examples of content-based presentations.

Bio: Tyson Rode has been teaching English in Japan since 2004. Some of his research interests include: academic writing, bilingualism, and content-based language instruction.

Fumie Kakuchi: Changing [Eikaiwa] in ES Today

Abstract: In this short presentation the audience and presenter will consider the benefits of the recently implemented Foreign Language Activities. Also key points for meeting the goals of the course of study will be discussed.

Bio: Fumie Kakuchi is a Japanese Assistant Teacher for Saitama City. There she teaches a 35 hour per year program for 5th and 6th grade students. She has worked in one of the city’s model schools for the last three years. Her other experience includes teaching private lessons and working for ‘cram’ schools. Her interests include teacher training and curriculum development.


John Mangan: Making effective yet simple lesson plans and materials that adapt to your needs

Abstract: In Saitama City there is an Engish conversation program for 5th-9th grade with a city-wide curriculum. However 3rd and 4th graders now also have up to 10 lessons a year, with no existing curriculum or plans made for those lessons. This presentation covers how a solution for this was decided and how to adapt it to both English and Japanese with linkage to the alread existing program for upper grade levels.

Bio: John Mangan is a ALT instructor in City for the past 4 years. This has included both Elementary and Junior High schools of every grade level. During this time he worked at 4 model schools – 3 elementary and 1 junior high. His other experience includes teaching corporate business English, private high schools, ‘cram’ school lessons and various private students.