JALT2020 Invited Speakers

Bill Balsamo Asian Scholar
Laxman Gnawali

Reciprocity and Growth in Communities of Practice
Saturday, Nov 21, 12:50 PM – 1:50 PM

Teacher professional development is an integral part of English as a foreign language (EFL) teaching. When EFL teachers make professional development efforts by creating challenges for themselves and learning from their experiences, they can cope with the ever changing situations. They may undertake personal initiatives and those based on collaborative practices. In this regard, English language teacher associations as a community of are a practical way to collaborative strategies for their professional development.

With the above idea in mind, a study was carried out in Nepal on EFL teacher professional development strategies that teacher associations employ and the process by which teachers undergo development experiences. Study parameters also included looking into the contributions that the members make to these associations. Based on social capital theory and communities of practice perspective, the data were collected through narratives and interviews which were thematically analysed.

The study showed that the associations in the study formally stipulated professional development strategies for their members in their official documents placing professional development at the core of the association activities. The members benefitted from the opportunities made available through internal as well as external resources. The members also contributed to the growth of the association.

This talk shares how the association and the members operate as a community of practice in a reciprocal relationship, both sides contributing to the growth of each other, and how the growth of one impacts the growth of the other. How the social capital builds through the reciprocity will also be discussed.

Laxman Gnawali, Professor of English Education at Kathmandu University, is an acclaimed figure in the field of ELT in Nepal. His national and international contributions include EFL textbooks, articles and book chapters on language pedagogy and teacher professional development. A University of Exeter alumnus, Dr. Gnawali has a repute in and outside Nepal for inspiring teachers for professional development through network building. He currently serves NELTA as its Senior Vice President.

Kevin Cleary Invited Speaker
Heather McCulloch

Working with Introverts in the Education Community
Sunday, Nov 22, 10:45 AM – 11:45 AM

What is the first thing that comes to mind when you hear the word “introvert?” Probably not community, team or camaraderie. As teachers, we seek to motivate all of our students, not only across the spectrum of individual knowledge, but also along the lines of personal, communicative and social characteristics. Introverted students, however, present a particular challenge to the teacher because they do not perform as expected. As schools at primary, secondary and tertiary levels increasingly deal with the diverse needs of students, we must not neglect the emotional needs, which are just as important as any other.

Heather McCulloch will draw on her own experience and research to examine what introversion is and what it is not. Her analyses of what goes on inside the introverted brain will help participants understand why introverts are so overwhelmed in social situations. While exploring the skills acquired from years of personal experience and those learned from interviews of both introverted students and teachers of introverts, she will discuss teacher attitudes that could help or hinder introvert performance within the classroom. Finally, she will offer participants ways to help introverts and extroverts work together to create a balanced and quintessential community of various personalities, learning styles and levels of emotional intelligence in the classroom.

Susan Cain, in her bestselling book, Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking discusses how classrooms are centered around extroverts. There is the idea that speaking is connected to competence. Cain calls this the “extrovert ideal.” Heather McCulloch will show how the introvert could possibly become the new ideal.

A lifelong extreme introvert, Heather McCulloch has had considerable experience being a shy and uncomfortable student in the classroom setting. Nevertheless, she has embraced her qualities of introversion, and accordingly, fostered a desire to help other students and teachers do the same. Ultimately, she aspires to help fellow teachers appreciate the advantages of quiet and reticent students in class. She holds a Master’s degree in TESOL from Biola University, Los Angeles, USA. Having over 20 years of teaching experience in diverse settings and at various levels, she currently works at several tertiary institutions in Gunma, Japan. At present, she serves as the president of the Gunma JALT chapter, showing that even the shyest and most introverted can be a leader.