Analysis of Teacher Talk in Teacher Education
Akiko Seino (English School BRIGHT)
The presenter reports positive results of using transcribed classroom interaction data for analysis and discussion in teacher training for Japanese English teachers in primary schools. While teachers perform as the main source of input in the classroom, how can they also encourage learner initiatives and allow learners time and space to contribute? The presenter invites the participants to analyze a number of extracts to address the significance of negotiation of meaning in primary English classrooms.
Teacher Education / Workshop
Teaching Pre-Teens: Problems and Possibilities
Aleda Krause (Seigakuin University)
How do you feel about teaching pre-teens? Even the most confident teachers can be challenged by 5th and 6th graders. They are no longer small children and not yet young adults, but seem to swing back and forth between the two. Do you experience difficulties generating energy, managing classes with mixed levels, or bringing out shy students? The presenter will share some secrets for success with upper elementary students in this activity-based presentation.
Teacher Education / Workshop
How Do Japanese and International Schools Differ?
Amanda Gillis-Furutaka (Kyoto Sangyo University)
What are the main differences between the educational approach and the curriculum of a typical Japanese elementary school and an international school? This crucial question, which many parents with preschool children are asking, will be addressed impartially by a parent with children in both kinds of school, based on 4th grade classroom observations, interviews with teachers, and studies of 4th grade syllabi and the means used to evaluate learning.
Bilingualism / Short Paper
Studying Italian as a Heritage Language in Tokyo
Asuka Ozumi (University of Naples l'Orientale)
This paper examines the linguistic situation of Japanese-Italian children living in Tokyo through the analysis of the experience of an Italian Saturday school. It discusses the difficulty to maintain a heritage language in an environment of low ethnolinguistic vitality and strong pressure for assimilation to mainstream society. These children born in interlingual families struggle not only to preserve oral productive skills, but even receptive ones.
Bilingualism / Short paper
Activities and Contests in Low-Level Classes
Atsuko Ueda, Miho Sasaki, Kazuhito Komai, Rieko Okuda (Ibaraki University)
Teaching English in slow learners' classes is always a challenge. In this session, the presenters will introduce many tasks, group activities, and student contests, not only to develop students' English ability but also to promote their motivation in low-level classes. Participants will be able to see the actual worksheets, handouts, and students' work, and both presenters and participants will share and discuss their problems and solutions.
Learner Development / Poster Session
Teacher Training Solutions for Japan (English/Japanese)
Basil Tonks, Kazunori Chuman (The Society for Advancement of International Education)
A profound crisis exists today in Japan. Although many elementary school teachers are being asked to teach English, very few have had any training in second language instruction. The need for qualified teachers is urgent but no appropriate teacher training system exists. In this workshop, the presenters will demonstrate a unique e-learning solution to the training crisis. This solution will also be of interest to ALTs or others who are interested in professional development.
Teacher Education / Workshop / Promotional
Kids' English: From ABC to Writing Books About Me
Brian Byrd, Machiko Fujiwara (Seigakuin University/Seigakuin Elementary School), Chizuko Alba (Tokyo Denki University/YMCA)
Can children actually learn to read, write, and share their own stories in the lower elementary school grades? What steps can we take to help students achieve such goals? The presenters will introduce the approaches to and materials for learning the alphabet, beginning reading, and writing personalized stories which are proving effective in their elementary school classes.
Elementary school English / Workshop
A Fun Way to Focus on Phonics
Caroline Lloyd and Emi Sugita (Hiroshima YMCA)
The presentation will feature tried and tested techniques for bringing your phonics classroom alive with games and activities that will not only be fun for your little learners but strengthen and reinforce their understanding of true phonic awareness.
Reading and Vocabulary (RV) / Workshop
Young Learners' Goals and Teacher Identity
Chantal Hemmi (British Council, Tokyo)
The results of an on-going small-scale research conducted at Morimura Gakuen Elementary School on primary students' perceptions of native speaker teachers and pupils' goals will first be presented. Later we will discuss the following points: 1) How do we define our roles as teachers in a community of change? 2) How can our social, cultural and professional identity be manifested positively in the primary language curriculum?
Teacher Education / Workshop
Kids Can Introduce Japanese Culture in English!
Chizuko Aiba (Tokyo Denki University/YMCA), Machiko Fujiwara, Brian Byrd (Seigakuin University/Seigakuin Elementary School)
When children present Japanese culture using English, they communicate positively and with confidence. They raise their awareness of their own culture and are motivated to learn English. Original chants and TPR children can enjoy are introduced.
Culture / Workshop
Beyond Competition (Simple English)
Chris Hunt (Wise Hat)
Come and learn about creating community through play. If you want to learn lots of noncompetitive and cooperative activities and games for teaching children, then this presentation is for you! No frills, no foibles, no quibbles, no competition. The community that plays together stays together. All together now!
Teacher Education / Workshop
Emancipation Now!
Chris Hunt (Wise Hat)
Being able to control one's own learning situations should be a fundamental human right. Children are no exception. But how can a language teacher give children real choice, especially if the teacher does not share the children's native language? This presentation shows how. While learning new language games and activities, participants will be given a tool for creating community in their classroom by utilising choice. Emancipation now for children and teachers alike!
Democracy / Workshop
The New Edition of Finding Out
David Paul (David English House)
The first edition of Finding Out was researched and received classroom feedback for 10 years before it was published. The new edition has taken another 15 years! This must be why it's still so popular even without the promotional budget behind it that some other courses have. Paul will focus on how the new Finding Out builds confidence and motivation, leads children effortlessly from phonics into reading stories, encourages active communication, and strengthens learner autonomy.
Materials Writing and Design / Workshop / Promotional
Bridging Level Gaps in Primary English Education
Gerard Marchesseau, Noboru Kaneshige (Naruto Kyoiku Daigaku)
This presentation outlines an action research project undertaken at an elementary school. By the time students reach the upper grades of elementary school, there is a significant gap between students who study English outside of school and those who do not. This causes problems for teachers and curriculum designers. The presenters will describe the problem, steps taken to alleviate it, and reflections on the action taken.
Learner Development / Short Paper
Making English Come Alive Through Games
Helene Uchida (Little America)
The presenter strongly believes that playing games in English should be more than entertainment. Teaching English through games should empower the students to think in English, interact with their classmates in English, learn new vocabulary and new phrases, and show good manners and sportsmanship. If the students can do all of these during the playing of a game, then they will have fun and the activity will be an English acquisition success.
Teacher Education / Workshop / Promotional
Rekindle Learner-Educator Motivation: Living Values
Jane Lightburn, Lalita Patel
This colorful poster presentation visually explains and displays practical activity suggestions for a Living Values language arts curriculum. Display boards show ideas for teachers of children as well as young adults. Some hands-on activity ideas presented are Kamishibai, Happiness Banner, Let's Relax, and Creative Peace Visualization. Resource packs, free activity handouts, and background information on the Living Values Education Project are provided for educators interested in this program.
Materials Writing and Design / Poster Session
Becoming Bilingual in Asia
Jason Good (Houghton Mifflin)
It is commonly said that Japan is lagging behind the rest of Asia in English education for children, but what exactly is the rest of Asia doing? What is all the buzz about bilingual schools, and where are they? What is being taught at these schools? We'll look at the bilingual movement across Asia, as well as look briefly at the core of any bilingual curriculum-literacy, and how this is being taught to children.
Bilingualism / Workshop
Moving the Age: Primary School Ryugakku on Trial
John Wiltshier (Miyagi University), Elaine Gilmour (Miyagi Gakuin University), Chris Cuadra (Shokei Gakuin University), Annamaree Sugai (Tohoku Gakuin University)
This is a three-part forum starting with a case study of two children who enrolled in a British primary school for a year to improve their English ability. A lively for/against debate follows as four university professors debate the dynamics of age on language learning, motivation, and language maintenance. The forum ends with a panel discussion open to all, especially useful for parents or educators considering sending children overseas for study.
Study abroad / Forum