October 2003 Meeting will be held:
at Tokyo Kasei Gakuin Tsukuba Women's University, Tsukuba
on Sunday, October 12, 2003

Presentation Title: Sign Language in the Language-teaching Classroom
Presenters: Martin Pauly, Tsukuba College Of Technology,
Mariko Miyao, Tokyo Kasei Gakuin Tsukuba Women's University
Cecilia Ikeguchi, Tokyo Kasei Gakuin Tsukuba Women's University

Blurb:
Deaf and hard-of-hearing students are entering mainstream schools and mainstream society. A knowledge of Sign Language may aid teachers and hearing students in communicating with, and creating a more friendly environment for, these students. Three teachers, none of them specialists in Deaf Education nor experts at Sign Language, hope to introduce the audience to different languages (i.e., ASL and JSL/NS (American Sign Language and Japanese Sign Language/Nihon Shuwa) and a different culture (i.e., Deaf Culture). They will also demonstrate some strategies for introducing Sign Language into the classroom.

One presenter will explain how he uses JSL/NS to introduce ASL and how he incorporates Sign Language into normal classroom interaction. He will demonstrate strategies which are transferable to a classroom of visually impaired students.

Another presenter, a language teacher and ASL learner, will compare her experience of learning ASL with that of learning "hearing" languages. She will demonstrate useful activities for the "hearing" language classroom, gained from being a student in the ASL classroom, e.g., using signs for simple English expressions, using ASL as the content of a web search activity, using ASL to create a better website. The presenter will also present the results of her web search.

After introducing aspects of American Sign Language, which are defining characteristics of Deaf Culture, another presenter will demonstrate the concept of thinking visually, as ASL is understood by visual recognition. She will also familiarize participants with ASL grammar rules.

Our September 2003 Meeting will be held:
at Ibaraki University, Mito
Click [here ] for the direction to the venue.
on Sunday, September 21, 2003

Workshop Leader: Bob Betts, Ibaraki University
Title: Learning to Speak English in Bob's World

Blurb:
Teachers trying to make the decision whether or not to teach speaking skills in an "exam preparation" environment is always a difficult one. How much classroom time should we devote to a skill that is not on high school or university entrance exams? The answer lies in balancing students' needs and desires. Students' need to prepare for examinations, but their desire is to speak English like a "native speaker." This workshop presents effective ways to teach "Conversation Strategies," "Discussion Strategies" and assess speaking skills in foreign language classrooms.

June 2003 Retreat Meeting
at Ibaraki University's Daigo Kenshyuu Centre, Daigo
on Saturday-Sunday, June 21-22, 2003
For the direction, go to: [Getting to Daigo Gashuku Kenshujo]

Invited Presenter: Don Maybin, Shgonan Institute of Technology
Also chapter member presenters: Markus Rude, Mariko Miyao, Michiko Komatsuzaki & Nail Parry

Tentative Schedule:
Saturday: 3:30 First Session by Don
8:00 - 9:00 business
9:00 - on payatying/talking
Sunday 9:00 - 10:30 My Share type presentation by chapter members

Venue:Ibaraki Christian University, Hitachi Oomika
Date:Sunday, April 20, 2003: 13:30 - 17:00

Presenter: Richard Graham, Will Jasprizza
Presentation Title: Genki English: Elementary School English

One day member: 500 yen

The presentation will discuss the Monbukagakusho guidelines for English at the elementary school level and how to implement those guidelines in a fun, motivating way. Education consultants Richard Graham and Will Jasprizza will cover a range of topics including thinking like a kid, making use of games, how to use songs, class control, and motivation techniques. Will and Richard will demonstrate, using the Genki English CDROM songs and software, how technology can make language teaching easy! And remember - no passive watching - everyone will try the activities for themselves! The last part of the presentation will be open for Q and A.

** ** ** ** **
Directions from the Omika JR Station:
After exiting the station turn left. Walk for about 30 meters until you reach a fish store.
Turn left and take this street to the railroad tracks. Use the pedestrian bridge to cross over the tracks.
Continue straight for about 100 meters. Ibaraki Christian College is on the left.
** ** ** ** **

Sunday, May 18, 2003, 13:30 - 17:00
Venue: Kennan Shougai Gakushu Center, Tsuchiura Ulala Bldg.

One-day members: 500 yen

Presenter: Kathleen Yamane
Presentation Title: I Say Tomato, You Say Tomahto: Exploring Variation in Language

As the song suggests, we all speak dialects. The purpose of this workshop is to explore the linguistic nature of regional speech varieties and applications for the classroom. The first part of the presentation will be a general discussion of variation in language, including a basic framework for considering language change over time and space. In the second half, participants will work in groups to identify the characteristics of several different varieties of English from short video clips and written passages, including the New York City dialect in 'Working Girl' and Black English vernacular as represented in 'The Color Purple'. This is intended as a basic, hands-on introduction for language teachers, and no background in linguistics is necessary. Come along and have fun!

Kathleen Yamane has an MA in linguistics from Cornell University. She teaches at Eichi [Sapientia] University in Hyogo Prefecture. Her research interests include sociolinguistics and semantics.

Sunday, February 16, 2003, 13:30 - 17:00
Venue: Mito Kokusai Koryu Center
(Need directions to the center? Click [here].)
One-day members: 500 yen

Presenter: Kevin Knight, Educational Director, Kanda Gaigo Career College
Presentation Title: Motivating Learners Through Pain and Pleasure

One of the key difficulties in motivating Japanese language learners is the paradigm which they may have about language learning. At Kanda Gaigo Career College, a number of unique and effective techniques adapted from the corporate training field and original in creation have been used to change this paradigm, resulting in increased learner confidence, motivation, and performance. This presentation will involve the audience in specific activities that have been used to create this paradigm shift.

* I can be fluent? Prove it!
* Which is stronger--pain or pleasure?
* Controlling your fear!
* English is "air"!
* Linking pain to not speaking English
* Linking pleasure to speaking English
* What % of English is words?
* "Jankenpon" in action!

Kevin Knight has had over 15 years of experience as an instructor at educational institutions in Japan and the United States including the University of California (Davis and San Diego), San Diego State University, Sony Enterprise Inc., and Toyo Eiwa. Additionally, he has business experience in financial services, import-export, and accounting. He is currently Educational Director at Kanda Gaigo Career College, where he designs various onsite and online programs for learners ranging from children to adults (primarily employees in companies and government ministries) and is engaged in online teacher training.

The books he has written include English in the Factory, based on extensive research in several Sony factories, and the Teacher's Manual of Longman's new textbook for study abroad, overseas travel, and homestays--On The Go (English Skills for Global Communication).
Kevin Knight
Educational Director
Kanda Gaigo Career College

Sunday, January 19, 2003, 13:30 - 17:00
Venue: Tokyo Kasei Gakuin Tsukuba Women's University, Tsukuba
(Need directions to the university? Click [ English ]or [Japanese].)
One-day members: Free

Presenter: William Gatton, President, DynEd Japan
Presentation Title: Team Teaching with Technology: Technology as the Partner

Mr Gatton has been involved in teaching, materials development, teacher training, and media in Japan since 1979.

Although computers have many possible uses in language teaching, how do we choose the most appropriate use and integrate that into our teaching? This presentation will examine how DynEd answers this question for various ages and levels. We also consider how to integrate computer-based homework and schoolwork with class activities. Whether you are new to technology or a pro, you also have something to offer. Expect a lively session.

DynEd International is among the pioneers of teaching English through computer-based courseware. With roots in Japan, DynEd's world-wide base and award-winning courses have made it the leading firm in the sector.