JALT Junior 2006 Presentation Summaries N-Y
Lab School: A Space for Children and Teachers
Naoko McLellan (JJ Fellowship), Yuco Kikuchi (English Pier)
The presenters will introduce methods of training through team teaching. Less experienced teachers will have the opportunity to observe experienced teachers' lessons and receive immediate feedback. Naoko and Yuco will also share their syllabus and classroom management methods.
Teacher Education / Workshop
Children's Affective Changes in English Activities
Naoko Yamaga (Tokyo Junshin Women's College)
This presentation will introduce a study which investigated the value of English activities in international understanding lessons in the Period for Integrative Study. The purpose of this study was to develop scales to measure children's attitudes toward different cultures and their self-related constructs, in particular, self-esteem and collective self-esteem. The researcher measured these affects of the elementary school children who experienced international understanding lessons in two public schools. The researcher will share interesting research findings.
Learner Development / Short Paper
A Wordlist for Young Learners of English
Nobuko Hasegawa, Miyoko Kobayashi, Nahomi Machida, Mayumi Ajioka, Yukie Horiba (Kanda University of International Studies)
Recent development in corpus linguistics and research suggests that frequency lists can inform language teaching and testing practices. However, the vast majority of research has focused on adolescent and adult learners. This paper reports an attempt to develop a working wordlist as a basis for vocabulary tests for young learners of English in Japan and discusses preliminary findings. Future directions for young learner language assessment and research agenda will be discussed.
Testing and Evaluation / Short Paper
From an International School to a Local School
Reiko Furuya (Nagoya University)
This paper discusses some key findings from an observational study on cultural identity, cultural adjustment, language maintenance, and language preference of two Japanese children switching from an international school to a local Japanese school at the ages of 10 and 11. The study involved interviews and analysis of journals. The findings indicate difficulty in identifying themselves. It provides a deeper understanding of self-identity and attitude toward the English and Japanese languages of the two children.
Bilingualism / Short paper
Elementary School English Education and Speaking
Reiko Mori (Fukuoka Prefectural University)
This paper examines how English education experience at elementary school contributed to speaking training. The data was analyzed based on language socialization theory, and the unit of analysis was activities in which the homeroom teacher and the children oriented themselves to a certain class rule. Because of the strict division of labor between the homeroom teacher and the ALT, the ALT did not play a role in the development of the class rule.
Learner Development / Short Paper
Genki Effective Primary School English? No Problem
Richard Graham (Genki English.com)
If you're an elementary school teacher, we'll take all your problems, worries, and concerns about what and how to teach English in primary schools and cure them all! Pronunciation, curriculum, 6th graders, confidence: The solutions are all out there, and you'll experience them all here. Presented in Japanese, but it's an ideal chance to get the low-down on the problems Japanese teachers face and how to take their worries away.
Teacher Education / Workshop / Promotional
Raising Children in Two Languages and Communities
Satoko Suzuki (Temple University Japan)
In order to raise children to be bilingual in Japanese and English, certain factors should be considered and approaches planned. This presentation discusses eight important factors, based on reviews of the literature of bilingual child raising, interviews with bilingual children, and findings of psycholinguistics related to bilingualism. This presentation should be helpful for parents, soon-to-be parents, teachers, and students who are interested in the range of practical and theoretical considerations entailed in raising children bilingually.
Bilingualism / Short Paper
Classical Music Activities in ESOL
Sinyoung Ra Evans
This presentation will explore the use of classical music in the ESOL classroom for a wide range of ages and ability levels. Theories on using music for language learning will be reviewed and several teaching activities will be introduced.
Materials Writing and Design / Short Paper
Sabbatical Kids: Becoming Bilingual and Bicultural
Thomas Goetz (Hokusei Gakuen University)
Two biracial (Japanese and American) siblings, a boy of 15 and a girl of 12, accompanied their parents to America for their father's one-year sabbatical. This presentation will highlight their experiences and outline the phases of their progression towards becoming bilingual and bicultural. Their abilities to adapt to their new surroundings, try out and acquire new characters, and discover motivations will be discussed in light of Vygotsky's Socio-Cultural Theory.
Bilingualism / Short Paper
Motivate Your Students Through Fun and Easy Games
Travis Mactier
We all know that children learn a new game quicker than anything else. Why not use English as a vehicle? Using fun and interesting games children will learn English naturally without even knowing it. Travis will introduce some games that can be used at all levels with minimal preparation time or stress. So let's have fun playing English games with the children!
Teacher Education / Workshop
US Preschool Experience and Bilingual Development
York Weatherford (Kyoto Sangyo University)
This paper reports on the effects of two 1-month stays in the United States on the English development of a Japanese-dominant bilingual child at age 3;11 and 4;11. The subject attended a local preschool for 4 weeks during both visits, with significant effects on her English. The preschool settings offered the subject opportunities to engage in real communication in English with other children her age, which was pivotal in her English language development.
Bilingualism / Short Paper
Activity-Based Teaching and Learning
Yuco Kikuchi (Independent Publishers International)
Young learners learn best when they are having fun. Designing activities for children is one of the most important roles of EFL teachers. The presenter will share hands-on classroom activities, songs, craft, and games for different age groups. Teachers can lead children to higher levels by carefully designing activities. Tips for teaching older children will also be discussed. Examples will be taken from American English Primary Colors.
Teacher Education / Workshop / Promotional
Using Songs and Chants
Yuco Kikuchi (English Pier)
Songs and chants are essential elements in children's EFL. Words, phrases, and sentence patterns stay longer in children's hearts. Participants will see a step-by-step approach and experience activities, including literacy awareness.
Teacher Education / Workshop
Team Teaching at Elementary Schools
Yukie Kawaguchi (World Academy)
While more and more elementary school teachers are experiencing team teaching with ALTs, are they all comfortable with it? It is believed that they still wonder what ALTs or Japanese teachers are supposed do best. This workshop will be a great opportunity to discuss the issue from both perspectives. Participants will also get many practical ideas on effective classroom activities and classroom management.
PALE / Workshop
TC SIG Swap Meet
Yukie Kawaguchi
Do you have a favorite classroom activity you can share? Are you looking for a classroom activity? Come join us at the Teaching Children SIG Swap Meet. Nothing special. Nothing fancy. Just something that has worked in your classroom and the children have enjoyed. Lesson plans and activity descriptions will be available.
Materials Writing and Design / Workshop