Sunday, February 9th, 2003
English Education in Viet Nam and Thailand
Speaker: Professor Cao Loan of Viet Nam National University,
Gerald Williams of Kansai University of International Studies, and
Brent Poole
Time: 3:00 PM - 5:30 PM (15:00 - 17:30)
Description:
Professor Cao Loan's presentation will include an overview of the
education system and her reflections on education in Viet Nam.
Deeply rooted in Confucianism dating back to the early days of
Vietnamese history, a profound respect for and love of learning are
among the hallmarks of the Vietnamese people. As in Japan, the
education system in Viet Nam is undergoing dramatic structural
changes that could prove insightful for understanding Japan�fs
current situation. Gerald Williams and Brent Poole will also speak
about their respective volunteer teaching experiences in Viet Nam
and Thailand. Ample time will be allotted for informal discussion
over refreshments. Dinner afterwards at a Vietnamese restaurant
for those interested.
Meeting Report: Osaka: February - Three presentations on
Education and English Teaching in Vietnam and Thailand by Cao
Loan, Gerald Williams and Brent Poole. Cao Loan, Vice Dean of
the Department of English Literature and Linguistics at Viet Nam
National University in Ho Chi Minh City gave an excellent overview
of the Vietnamese education system and her personal reflections
on that system. She said that Vietnamese education is deeply
rooted in Confucianism resulting in a profound respect and love of
learning among Vietnamese people. Unlike Japan, the number of
Vietnamese people who wish to attend university is growing,
resulting in large classes, shortage of facilities and not enough
trained teachers. Following Cao Loan's presentation, Williams of
Kansai University of International Studies who collaborates with Cao
Loan and has been visiting Vietnam for the past ten years,
explained his ideas for further collaboration between Japan and
Vietnam. He reported that he is working on setting up an NPO that
would facilitate sending to Vietnam, for short periods of time,
well-trained volunteer English teachers not only to teach English,
but also to help train more Vietnamese teachers in methodologies
of English teaching. Qualified teachers and trainers who may be
interested in this project should contact Williams at
Williams@kuins.ac.jp Finally, Poole of Kansai Gaidai and Osaka
Jogakuin Jr. College, spoke about his volunteer activities in
Northern Thailand where he was a volunteer teacher of English in a
refugee camp near the Burmese border for two weeks. He said that
he had gained great insights into his own teaching by undertaking
this project where standard textbooks that talked about subjects
like restaurants and fashion were totally inappropriate. Tools that
we often taken for granted such as copy machines and
blackboards weren't available, and on occasions he even had to
remove chickens from the classroom! Poole is hoping to return and
do more volunteer teaching during his holiday periods saying that
he feels the second time he will be able to be more effective. For
further information on volunteering in Thailand he recommended
contacting Dominique Maidment of the Japan based Rainbow
Foundation at dmmaidment@yahoo.com The three presentations
gave good insights into what to expect and the experiential gains
that can occur when volunteering for teacher-training or teaching
English in Vietnam and Thailand.
Reported by Anne-Marie Tanahashi (Also, those that attended the
party at the Vietnamese Restaurant after the meeting reported that
it was excellent!)
Place: Fukushima Smith's School of English
Cost: members free; "One-day members" 1500 yen (1000 for
students).
Sunday, April 27th, 2003
Spring Picnic Party
Speaker: None
Time: 1:30 PM - 4:30 PM (13:30 - 16:30)
Description:
The plan is to meet between 1:30 and 4:30 or so in the
Nishinomaru Japanese Garden on the west side of Osaka Castle
Park (closest stations are Tenmabashi on the Tanimachi subway
line or Keihan line, or Osakajo-koen or Morinomiya stations on the
JR Loop line). There will be no formal presentation but simply a
relaxing chance to share ideas and fun amidst the spring foliage.
Bring friends and family, something to sit on, a frisbee or anything
else for recreational fun, and food and drink if you like. Some
refreshments will be served. Feel free to come and go as your
schedule permits. We'll likely continue past 4:30 either in the park
or at a nearby restaurant. We hope to have fabulous weather and
a great day. In case of questionable weather or for help finding the
group, please email Bob Sanderson at sanderson808@gol.com, or
call Wade Muncil at 090-6978-0317 on the 27th. This event was
originally scheduled for April 20th but was postponed due to
inclement weather.
Place: Osaka Castle Park's Nishinomaru Japanese Garden
Cost: members free; "One-day members" free (though there is a
300 yen admittance charge to the Japanese garden).
Sunday, August 3rd, 2003
A Midsummer Night's JALT Meeting/Social
Speaker: Tom Pendergast
Time: 5:00 PM - 6:45 PM (17:00 - 18:45)
Description:
The original founder of the Kansai Association for Language
Teaching, which eventually became JALT, will offer his perspectives
on the history of JALT and TESOL in Japan as well as reflections
on current teaching practices with topics ranging from the Silent
Way, CLL, TPR, Neuro-Linguistic Programming, etc., depending on
attendees' interests. As always, all are invited to bring ideas and
copies of materials to share. After the meeting those interested will
continue discussions at a nearby restaurant. Those not attending
the meeting who would like to join us at the restaurant may do so
by calling 090-5640-5011 after 6:45 on August 3rd.
Place: DIDASKO, Apt.#611 Awaza Dai-Ni Central Heights. A 5
minute walk southwest of Awaza station (one stop west of
Hommachi on the Chuo line) exit 6, just west of Nissei Byoin
(hospital). For a map by fax please email sanderson808@gol.com
Cost: members free; "One-day members" 1000 yen.
Saturday, October 11th, 2003
Scrivener's Model and Task Based Learning
Speaker: Jason Moser
Time: 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM (18:00 - 20:00)
Description:
Communicative language classes need to strive for the "Golden
Mean": a balance between language fluency, accuracy, and
restructuring. Moser will discuss how to evaluate lessons based on
Scrivener's model of Authentic Language, Restricted Language,
and Clarification (ARC). He'll introduce Task-Based Learning and
describe how he has used and adapted it to suit his classes. He'll
show that TBL helps create a balance between the three types of
language in Scrivener's model and helps provide an ideal
environment for facilitating language acquisition. Jason Moser has
an MA in TESOL and teaches at Osaka University and Osaka
Gaidai. He has recently contributed a paper on Task Based
Learning to be included in a book that will be out in the spring of
2004, edited by Jane Willis, the renowned expert on TBL.
Place: Covent Garden Social Club, Kitahorie 2-5-10 (a five minute
walk west of Yotsubashi station's south exit, or five minutes walk
east of Nishinagahori station's south exit, on the north side of
Suomachi-dori, Tel (06)4391-3113
Cost: members free; "One-day members" 1000 yen.
Saturday, November 8th, 2003
Chapter Business Meeting and Officer Elections Party
Speaker:
Time: 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM (19:00 - 21:00)
Description:
We'll meet at Umeda's Big Man (right next to Kinokuniya Bookstore)
at 7:00 p.m. and then proceed to a local restaurant to discuss
plans for the upcoming year and hold annual officer elections. All
are welcome, especially those interested in playing an active role in
chapter organizing. Anyone that is unable to attend the meeting but
that would like to run as an officer or be on a committee should
contact Bob Sanderson at sanderson808@gol.com. On the
evening of the meeting call 090-6670-6042 for more information.
Place: Will start at Umeda's Big Man, then proceed to a local
restaurant. For further updated details call 090-6670-6042 on
Saturday evening.
Cost: members free; "One-day members" 1000 yen.
Saturday, November 22nd, 2003
National Conference Committee national (Nara
Prefecture)
JALT 2003 National Conference (day 1 of 3)
Speaker: Plenary Speakers: Jack C. Richards, Simon Greenall.
Time: 9:30 AM - 6:15 PM (09:30 - 18:15)
Description:
See the JALT 2003 conference website for details.
Place: Granship convention center, Shizuoka
Cost: members See the conference website for details.; "One-day
members" See the conference website for details..
Tuesday, November 25th, 2003
An Informal Discussion with Elka Todeva
Speaker: Elka Todeva
Time: 6:30 PM - 9:00 PM (18:30 - 21:00)
Description:
We're delighted to have the opportunity to host an informal evening
with Dr. Elka Todeva, the reknowned professor and expert on
second language acquisition from the School for International
Training and a featured speaker and the wrap up moderator at this
year's national JALT conference. We'll meet in the private meeting
room on the third floor of the very relaxing and gorgeous Cita Cita
Indonesian restaurant for dinner, drinks, and informal discussion.
Dr. Todeva will recap some of what she'll be presenting at the
conference, including Authenticity, Brain-Based Teaching and
Learning, and how these two can be applied to the teaching of
English articles and the English Passive Voice. She may also offer
a fun overview of the profession: "Where are we now and how we
got here". The abstract of her conference workshop on reflectivity
and how it enriches and informs our teaching practice can be seen
at jalt.org/jalt2003/main/FSW/#todeva. For pictures of Cita Cita
restaurant, its menu, and a map, please visit
www.shigotosoken.com/citacita. Space is limited to 25, so please
reserve your space by contacting Bob Sanderson at
sanderson808@gol.com .
Place: Third floor meeting room of Cita Cita Indonesian Restaurant
(see www.shigotosoken.com/citacita ). From Hommachi exit 9 go
one small street north, then east a block and a quarter just past the
flower shop.
Cost: members free; "One-day members" 1000 yen.
Wednesday, November 26th
Passport or Excess Baggage? Current Concerns in
Socio-Cultural Training in the Classroom
Speaker: Simon Greenall
Time: 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM (18:00 - 20:00)
Description:
This will be a repeat of Professor Greenall's conference plenary.
For some years, Socio-Cultural training has been accepted as a
requirement of a well-balanced language course. Yet, today, some
teachers remain concerned that it adds further demands on an
already overcrowded course design. This talk will examine what and
how to teach a socio-cultural syllabus strand in a multi-syllabus
course design, and why. It will focus on socio-cultural training at
lower levels, in monocultural groups, to develop an awareness of
the learner's own cultural identity. Three types of topics will be
covered: social conventions and rituals, customs and traditions,
and attitudes and beliefs. Greenall will suggest that socio-cultural
training is not an optional extra, or excess baggage, but an
essential component of a language course, and the passport to
effective communication.
Please preregister by writing your
name,
address,
e-mail address,
and school name
and send by fax to 03-3235-8040
or send by e-mail to eprojects@britishcouncil.or.jp, Attention ELT
Projects officer)
Place: British Council, Dojima Avanza Building 4F (above Junkudo
Bookstore near Nishi Umeda) Tel: 06-6342-5301
Cost: members free; "One-day members" Free to all.