Asian Conference on Language Learning & Technology in the Classroom

DATE: June 10-12
TIME: 9:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
LOCATION: Ramada Osaka (Umeda)
FEE: ¥50,000

The International Academic Forum in conjunction with its global partners is proud to announce the Inaugural Asian Conference on Language Learning, to be held from June 10-12 2011, at the Ramada Osaka, Osaka, Japan.

The aim of this International Conference is to encourage academics, scholars and practitioners representing a exciting diversity of countries, cultures, and religion to meet and exchange ideas and views in a forum encouraging respectful dialogue. By bringing together a number of university scholars working throughout Japan, Asia, and beyond to share ideas, ACCL 2011 will afford the opportunity for renewing old acquaintances, making new contacts, and networking across higher education and beyond.

For more information please see http://www.acll.iafor.org/ and http://www.actc.iafor.org/

Gender Awareness in Language Education Conference

Gender Awareness in Language Education Conference:

Exploring Gender and its Implications

DATE: May 28th, 2011
TIME: 9:45 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
LOCATION: Kyoto University
FEE: Students 1,000 yen, JALT Members 2,000 yen, Non-members 3,000 yen

GALE will be holding a one day conference on May 28th at Kyoto University. This conference is an opportunity to share  research as well as exchange ideas on different aspects of gender and language education.

For more information including venue access and the conference program, please click HERE.

An Evening with Dr. John Read

Date: May 20, 2011 (Friday)
Time: 6:00 pm to 8:30 pm
Location: Umeda Lifelong Learning Center, Room 3
Fee: Free for JALT members (Although ¥500 donations are recommended)
¥1000 for one day members
(All proceeds will be donated to charity to help vicitms of the Tohoku disaster)

Osaka JALT is proud to sponsor a talk by Dr. John Read of the Univeristity of Auckland. Dr. Read will be passing through Osaka on his way to give the plenary speech at the 2011 PAN SIG conference in Matsumoto, Nagano.

Dr. Read is the author of Assessing Vocabulary, published by Cambridge Univerisity Press.

The Osaka Municipal Lifelong Learning Center Umeda is located on the 5th floor of the Osaka Eki Mae Dai 2 Building in Umeda.

Even if you can't make it for Dr. Read's presentation, please feel free to join us for dinner at Satoyama dining restaurant http://r.gnavi.co.jp/k593000/ on the 17th floor of the Terminal Building (near Hankyu Umeda station), starting from about 8:30. Dinner buffet is just 2500 yen for 90 minutes, and nomihodai (all you care to drink) is an additional 500 yen. Please email osakajalt@yahoo.com to reserve a place for dinner, or give us a call at 080-3789-6394 on Friday if you have trouble finding us.

2011 Back to School Event

Date: Sunday, April 24, 2011
Time: 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Location: Osaka Gakuin University, Building No. 2
Admission: Students: 300 yen, JALT members: 500 yen, Non-members: 1000 yen

JALT’s Osaka Chapter, in collaboration with the Framework and Language Portfolio SIG and Task Based Learning SIG, is proud to sponsor our second annual Back to School event, to be held April 24 at Osaka Gakuin University.

At this mini-conference there will be presentations on a wide range of topics including theory and practice related to Task-Based Learning and the Common European Framework (CEFR), as well as presentations on pedagogical practices and topics of interest and practical application to classroom language teachers. 

The schedule of presentations can be downloaded HERE.

100% of proceeds from this event will be going to support relief efforts in Tohoku via the Save the Children organization, so come join us for a great day of sharing ideas that are sure to help start off the new school year on a positive note.

Map of Osaka Gakuin University. More transportation information HERE.

International Hanami at Osaka Castle Park

Date: Sunday, April 10, 2011
Time: starting at 1:00 pm and going until 6:00 or so
Location: Osaka Castle Park

Come and join us for a relaxing afternoon under the cherry blossoms. This is a great chance to relax and share ideas before the beginning of the new academic year gets into full swing, and to meet with other JALT members and other members of the community.

We will meet at 1:00 by the fountain near Morinomiya station (look for our blue JALT banners) or if arriving later follow the chalk signs on the pavement or come to the area of the park circled on the map below to find us.

If you have trouble, call 080-3789-6394 or 090-6732-6482 for directions.

This year's hanami will of course be more subdued than in some years given the circumstances in Tohoku, but we feel it's important to keep our spirits up and discuss ways of helping those that need it in Tohoku and elsewhere. We'll also be collecting donations if you'd like to contribute to relief efforts in Tohoku.

We'll be joining up with the Why Not?! group, Kinki Brewers, and possibly other groups as well. Feel free to bring family, friends, children, pets, musical instruments, etc. All are very welcome.

Please bring a lunch or other refreshments, and something to sit on. Some grills may be available if you'd like to barbecue. We look forward to seeing you there!