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The Next Chapter Meeting

The next chapter meeting will be on September 10, Saturday at Tsukuba Gakuin University. Details to follow as they become available.

Next Meeting - Saturday, June 4th 2016 Update

Date: Saturday, June 4th, 2016 Place: Ibaraki Christian University, Hitachi Time: 11:00~17:00 (10:30 Doors open.) Morning Presentation -  (11:00~11:40) Applicability of the Silent Way Method: Evaluating in terms of Foreign Language Anxiety and Conversation Analysis by Hidenori Kuwabara, Tokiwa University & Yosuke Ogawa, Kansai University Abstract: Since the Silent Way fell out of use in the 80s, it has not been examined by any of the modern pedagogical methodologies. Nevertheless, this unique method could have the potential to be applied to current language classrooms, especially with focus on form and fluency activities. This study attempts to investigate the applicable features of the Silent Way from the Foreign Language Anxiety (FLA) perspective along with a qualitative analysis of its interactional sequence. Data from video recordings and pre/post-questionnaires was analysed to assess how learners’ affective filters (i.e. FLA) were processed and how the inter...

Sayonara Services for Our Friend Bob Betts.

This is to announce the date and time of cremation and memorial gathering (SHINOBU-KAI =偲ぶ会) of Betts-sensei. Please share this information with anyone who might be concerned. 1) Cremation:  May 7 (Sat) 13:50 -  (at Mito City Crematorium)   火葬:  5 月 7 日(土)  13:50 ~ 場所: 水戸市斎場  住所: 茨城県水戸市堀町2106-2     Please gather at 13:00 if you would like to attend.   お立会を希望される場合には、現地、 13 時集合となります。 2) Memorial Gathering (SHINOBU-KAI): May 8 (Sun) 15:00 - (at FUJISAITEN Mito Station South Exit Hall)     ロバート・ベッツ先生を偲ぶ会:  5 月 8 日(日)  15:00 ~  富士祭典セレモニア富士水戸駅南館 住所: 水戸市桜川 2-5-11    http://fuji-saiten.jp/facilities/ekinan.html   ★ Please be advised that people can gather in casual dress for SHINOBU-KAI.         偲ぶ会へのご参加は平服にてお願いいたします。     ★ If there is anyone who wishes to send a flower for the hall of SHINOBU-KAI, please request him/her to make contact directly with FUJISAITEN's office at 029-251-7235. 会場へのお花の提供を希望されている方がいらっしゃいましたら、直接富士祭典の事務所( 029-251-7235 )にお電話いた...

The Next Ibaraki JALT Meeting!

Date: Saturday, June 4th, 2016 Place: Ibaraki Christian University, Hitachi Time: 11:00~17:00 (10:30 Doors open.) Morning A reconsideration of the Silent Way in terms of Foreign Language Anxiety and Conversation Analysis (11:00~11:40) by Hidenori Kuwabara , Tokiwa University &  Yosuke Ogawa , Kansai University Afternoon Language Instruction through Cultural Participation: The Peculiar Case of Shape Notes (14:00~16:10) by Tim Cook , Chiba University, Mejiro University, & Seikei University Business Meeting (16:20~17:00) Details to follow …
Ibaraki Chapter March Meeting  Saturday, March 5th, 2016, 9:30~17:00 全国語学教育学会 The Japan Association for Language Teaching -JALT- Abstracts for these presentations are below. Presentations: Morning Corpus linguistic analysis of NESTs’ informal online discourse (9:50~11:00) by Hugh Kirkwood, Ushiku Elementary School, Hitachinoushiku Elementary School Acoustic Impedance : how it impacts language learning (11:10~12:20) by Bruno Jactat, The University of Tsukuba Afternoon Featured Presenter DIY NeuroELT: 7 keys for making your textbook more brain-friendly (14:20~16:30) by Marc Helgesen, Miyagi Gakuin Women's University Business Meeting (16:30~17:00) Click on the address for a Google Map Tsukuba Gakuin University (Meeting Room 2) Azuma 3-1 Tsukuba-shi Abstracts: Morning Corpus linguistic analysis of NESTs’ informal online discourse (9:50~11:00) by Hugh Kirkwood, Ushiku Elementary School, Hitachinoushiku Elementary School Abstract: Teachers may use informal online discourse to share info...
Ibaraki JALT December Meeting Saturday, December 12th 13:00 – 17:00 Co-sponsor : Ibaraki University 1. Featured Speaker Presentation ( 13:30~ 14:30)        English Pronunciation Instruction:   Considering Phonological Differences between English and Japanese     Abstract: Intelligibility is considered an important goal of L2 pronunciation. However, many second/foreign language learners find it difficult to acquire intelligible pronunciation. This presentation focuses on phonological differences between English and Japanese. I will discuss the pronunciation problems faced by Japanese learners of English and factors contributing to the problems. I will also introduce teaching materials designed especially for Japanese students learning English pronunciation. by Yuko Koike    ( Ibaraki University)  (University Education Center/The College of Humanities) Yuko Koike teaches English as a part-time instructor at Ibaraki University. She receiv...
The Japan Association for Language Teaching   全国語学教育学会 Next Meeting:  Saturday, September 12th, 2015, 09:30 – 17:00 Tsukuba Gakuin Daigaku Morning Presenters:   Mayu SHINTANI (University of Tsukuba)  Image Schema-Based Instructions on English Grammar (10:00 ~10:50): Cognitive linguistics has been devoting to reveal the very nature of language since the last few decades. One of their most fruitful results is the abstraction of the general patterns, the “image schemata,” underlying the grammatical entities. In this presentation, we will propose the grammar teaching method adopting the image-schema theory and show its strong potential in language teaching areas. As the instruction is more visible to learners than the ordinary character-based ones, it could offer them a clearer (and probably less boring) way to understand the grammar. We will also give the data collected in the experiment with native Japanese speaking students at several universities to prove the effectivenes...