Best of JALT

The Michele Steele Best of JALT Awards is a program that was started to honor the speakers who make JALT events such valuable experiences. Since 2010, we have held a special reception at the JALT International Conference to celebrate the winners of this award.
At JALT2020, the Executive Board of JALT unanimously voted on changing the name of the Best of JALT to The Michele Steele Best of JALT Award for Michele Steele’s inspiring and devoted love of honoring JALT members for their outside work. While the award had been around for many years, Michele brought it into a proper limelight by creating a ceremony to be held at the annual international conference. For the past 10 years the award has been given renewed importance and significance for the recipients.
2019
Chapter Awards
Akita Chapter: Chris Carl Hale Active Learning: Increasing Student Motivation and Communicative Outcomes
Fukuoka Chapter: Stephen Case and Jay Palarino Engaging, Communicative And Fun Classroom Games
Gifu Chapter: David Barker, Richard Gregg, Nami Imagawa, Jackson Lee, Michael Sherborne, Clair Taylor How ALTs and Eikaiwa Teachers can get into University Teaching
Gunma Chapter: Jennifer Yphantides Managing Special Needs Students in the EFL Classroom
Hokkaido Chapter: Stuart Warrington Learning English for Employment: Benefit or Neo-liberal Lie?
Ibaraki Chapter: Abdollah Dodangeh A Glance at English Education in Iran and Turkey
Kobe Chapter: Erin Noxon Using Google Voice Recorder in Docs for pronunciation practice in your classroom
Matsuyama Chapter: Aya Nogami Transforming Test Taking Through Drama in Education: New Active Learning Approaches to Testing Strategies
Nagano Chapter: Kimberly Klassen Developing the L2 Reader: Texts and Tasks
Nagoya Chapter: Alexandra Burke Supporting dyslexic students: Inclusive new teaching methods
Nara Chapter: Jack Bower Suggestions and Resources for Using the CEFR in Language Education
Niigata Chapter: Alexandra Burke Inclusive teaching: make a difference for the 1 in 10 neurodiverse learners in your mainstream class.
Okayama Chapter: Lynne Murphy How a Language Support Center impacts Student Motivation
Okinawa Chapter: Matthew Cotter The Maori Haka: Cultural Understanding Through Traditional Performance
Sendai Chapter: Paul Raine Digital English Activities, Tools, and Assignments: Apps 4 EFL and EFL.Digital
Tokyo Chapter: Oliver Smith Curiosity (& Interest) in Relationship to Language Learning
Tottori Chapter: Naoya Ishida Pronunciation learning for novices- in terms of discreet sounds and typical rhythm
West Tokyo Chapter: Ruth Iida Songs for Teachers and Learners
Yamagata Chapter: Ben Grafström Ups and Downs of Self-access Learning Centers: A Seven Year Retrospective
SIG Awards:
Business Communication SIG: Tomoko Sugihashi Deregulation of University Students’ Job-Hunting Rules and Expectations
CALL SIG: Tom and Jon Gorham Trends in AI and Machine Learning that All Language Teachers Should Know: A Beginner-friendly Introduction
CEFR& LP SIG: Colin Thompson and Tim Woolstencroft  Designing a CEFR-informed Curriculum
GALE SIG: Tenesha Kanai and Lauren Landsberry Foreign Working Women and Child-Rearing
LiLT SIG: Mary Hillis Read, Research, and Write: Ethnographic Poetry in the Classroom
PIE SIG: Chhayankdhar Singh Rathore Two-day Process Drama Workshop
TD SIG: Steve Paton Teacher identity, unconscious habits, and awareness
2018
Chapters
Fukui: Mari Nakamura “An Integrated Skills Approach in Literacy Education That Promotes Children’s 21st Century Skills”
Gifu: Tanja McCandie and Brent Simmonds “Increasing diversity from within; and The Purpose and Development of the JALT Code of Conduct”
Gunma: Tomoko Yoshida “Integrating Intercultural Communication in the University Language Classroom”
Ibaraki: Kevin McManus “Overcoming challenges in providing support for participants in student exchanges and other study abroad programs”
Iwate: Barry Grossman “Learn to use a corpus! A very hands-on workshop”
Kitakyushu: Jerry Talandis Jr. Turning Speaking Tasks Into Assessment Activities”
Kobe: Amy Brown “Invite the world into your classroom: exploring World Englishes with digital technologies”
Matsuyama: Kaori Ono “The Reintegration of Kikokushijo: Reflections on Culture and Identity”
Nankyu: Tomomi Kumai “SUTLF (Sojo University Teaching and Learning Forum) X JASAL (Japan Association for Self-Access Learning)”
Nara: Kazuhiro Iguchi and Ritsuko Rita “Discussion and Debate for Secondary School Education”
Niigata: Nathaniel Reed “ALT Training Online”
Okayama: David Paul “David Paul talks about teaching kids”
Sendai: Eric Kane “Building Balance – Mixing Fundamentals with FUN!”
Shinshu: Louise Ohashi Supporting Language Learning with Digital Technologies”
Shizuoka: Mary Nobuoka “Raising Bilingual Children in Japan”
Tokyo: Liz Shek-Noble “2018 Tokyo JALT Member Presentation Showcase”
Tottori: Christopher J. Hollis “Teaching English in English: Strategies for Success
Toyohashi: Jason Pratt “Social Media and Students: English made accessible and fun”
West Tokyo: Robert Croker “Presentation Proposal Writing Workshop”
Yamagata: Jon Pinsan and Masanori Oyama “English Instruction from Elementary School through High School”
SIG Awards:
Business Communication (BIZCOM): Andy O’Brien Just Build It September 9, 2018
Computer Assisted Language Learning (CALL): Kasumi Yamazaki The effective use of digital storytelling in JFL classrooms: Sample projects and pedagogical reflections June 10, 2018
CEFR and Language Portfolio (CEFR&LP): Timothy Wilson CEFR-Based Curriculum at a Japanese University November, 2018
Gender Awareness in Language Education (GALE ): Aaron Hahn Increasing diversity from within: 4501 (TD) Hidden Implications of JALT My Share PanSIG 2018
Literature in Language Teaching (LiLT): Vicky Ann Richings Enhancing students’ awareness of Japanese speech styles with literature November 24, 2018
Mind, Brain, and Education (BRAIN): Jason Lowes Effective Learning Strategies: Did you learn them? November, 2018
Performance in Education (PIE): Yoko Morimoto 5 Drama-inspired Mini Activities Backed by Neuroscience November, 2018
Pragmatics (PRAG): Akihiko Kawamura, Kimiko Koseki, and Scott Gardner Should L2 pragmatic usage of jokes be taught? November, 2018
Teacher Development (TD): Jennie Roloff Rothman and Adrianne Verla Uchida “Critical Friendships: Facilitating Teacher Reflection for Professional Development” (article)
2017
Chapters
Fukui: Gregory Hadley Grounded theory in applied linguistics: Attractive nuisance or helpful guide?
Fukuoka: Paul Raine Online English learning: Resources, activities and evidence
Gifu: Josh Brunotte and Chris Hastings Applications and task development for smartphone VR in the EL classroom: An overview
Gunma: Hideto Harashima What lies behind the differences of phonetic behaviors of the Japanese and the English languages?
Hokkaido: Bob Ashcroft NAWL and TED vocabulary learning using critical thinking and CALL
Ibaraki: Javier Salazar Strategic competence: What is it, how to teach it, and how to assess it
Kobe: Frances Shiobara Pechakucha presentations in the classroom—Supporting language learners with public speaking
Matsuyama: Darren Lingley Publishing a student newspaper: Supporting L2 writing through F2F conferencing
Nankyu: Todd Thorpe LEGO® Serious Play®
Nara: Masayuki Takano Introduction to English for high school education
Niigata: Alison Nemoto Examining pupils’ images of English, before and after short storytelling sessions in a Japanese primary school
Okinawa: Tomoko Yashima L2 motivation and willingness to communicate in a globalizing world
Osaka: Greg Rouault Cross-cultural communication clashes: A simulation task game
Sendai: Sean Reid Focus on younger learners: CLT-based approach
Tokyo: Michael Ellis Designing project-based learning (PBL): International exchange through Google sites
Tottori: Amanda Gillis-Furutaka Encouraging active reading in class
Toyohashi: Takayuki Nagamine Current trends in pronunciation and implications for English language teaching in Japan
Yamagata: Adrian Leis A better mindset for the Japanese EFL learner
SIGs
Business Communication:Greg Rouault Cross-cultural communication clashes: A simulation task game
Computer Assisted Language Learning: Linda Kadota Active reading with CALL
CEFR & Language Portfolio: Yukie Saito Developing a portfolio for English as a tool for global communication
Gender Awareness in Language Education: Avril Haye-Matsui How race and gender shape English teachers’ careers in Japan
Global Issues in Language Education: Emiliano Bosio Implementing principles of global citizenship education into university curricula
Literature in Language Teaching: Jane Joritz-Nakagawa Gender, disability and literature
Lifelong Language Learning: Kathleen Yamane Milestones of a life in teaching
Speech, Drama, and Debate: Vivien Bussinguer-Khavari Games can be serious & debates can be fun
2016
Chapters
Fukui: Heather Doiron Making most of graded readers
Fukuoka: Trevor A. Holster Creating supplementary materials for reading classes
Gifu: Alan Thompson Engaging with challenging texts and content
Gunma: Chiyuki Yanase Storytelling for young learners
Hiroshima: Tamara Swenson iPads & iBooks: Adding to the EFL classroom
Ibaraki: Jeroen Bode Education never ends: Language acquisition post-academia and the Dutch “permanent education” policies for official (certified) translators/interpreters
Iwate: Ryan Hagglund Education as a business
Kobe: Randall Bollig, Ann Mayeda, and Catriona Chalmers Takeuchi Nepal family and friends project
Nankyu: Barbara Hoskins-Sakamoto Designing materials that work
Nara: Angela Wren and Rachel Stuart A step-by-step introduction to debate
Niigata: Martin Sedaghat Art in the language classroom
Okayama: Arnold Arao Social emotional learning (Skills for the 21st century)
Okinawa: Andy Boon Beyond trends: Teachers as researchers
Sendai: Karen Masatsugu Hands on: Experiential training for teachers of young learners
Shinshu: Ikegami Hiroshi Teaching debate
Tottori: Mutsumi Kawasaki and David Barker How I learned English / Japanese どうやって英語・日本語を勉強したか
Yamagata: Todd Enslen Changing to a discussion-based approach at Tohoku Univeristy
SIGs
Business Communication:Josef Williamson Teaching business-context small talk using sociopragmatic principles
Computer Assisted Language Learning: Paul Raine Generate vocabulary, pronunciation, listening, and listening comprehension activities for any YouTube video
Extensive Reading: Ana Maria Flores Matching the task and the learner’s experience/present knowledge
Framework & Language Portfolio: Jack Bower Using the ADDIE model to plan and construct a CEFR-based curriculum: Focus on the analysis phase
Gender Awareness in Language Education: Diane Hawley Nagamoto Teaching English in Japan: Understanding identity development through teachers’ stories
Literature in Language Teaching: John F. Maune Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet via Literary Darwinism
Other Language Educators: Bruno Jactat Audiograms: Can they alert us to difficulties students might face learning a foreign language?
Pragmatics: Josef Williamson Teaching business-context small talk using sociopragmatic principles
2015
Chapters
Akita: Ben Grafström Teaching haiku and haiku composition to English language learners
Fukuoka: Chris Haswell Internationalized tertiary education
Gunma: Kayvon Havaei-Ahary The feasibility of using cooperative task-based learning to teach pronunciation
Hiroshima: Gregory Poole Administrative practices as institutional identity: Local impediments to the globalization of HEIs in Japan
Ibaraki: Yuko Koike English pronunciation instruction: Considering phonological differences between English and Japanese
Iwate Andy Boon The reflective teacher and negotiated syllabuses
Niigata: Bern Mulvey Numbers game: How accreditation, kaken-hi, and the “Super Global” program are changing Japan’s universities
Saitama: Paul Raine Apps 4 EFL: Apps, games, tools, and tech for English language learners and teachers
Sendai: Bern Mulvey Numbers game: How accreditation, kaken-hi, and the “Super Global” program are changing Japan’s universities
Shinshu: John Campbell-Larsen Materials and methods for teaching spoken language
Tottori: Simon Capper, John Herbert, Monika Szirmai, Donald Cherry, Marybeth Kamibeppu, and Jim Ronald An afternoon of education methods exchange with Hiroshima JALT
SIGs
Business Communication: Alan Simpson Business English as a lingua franca: Raising awareness of pronunciation varieties
Computer Assisted Language Learning: Bob Ashcroft Vocabulary flashcards: Digital versus paper
Gender Awareness in Language Education: Sara Hendricks Increasing gender equality in the second language classroom: A study at a Japanese university
Pragmatics: Sanae Oda-Sheehan Making pragmatics and grammar work hand in hand
Speech, Drama, and Debate: Matthew Barbee Defending drama in the L2 classroom: Building bonds between teachers and administrators
2014
Chapters
Akita: Bryan Hahn Reading for automaticity: A study of university students in Japan
Gunma: Miyuki Akamatsu and Sachiko Maruoka Vocabulary improvement techniques: Implementing self-regulated learning in junior high school
Hamamatsu: Kensaku Yoshida and Dan Frost A discussion and debate on English education in Japan
Hiroshima: Melodie Cook University entrance exams
Ibaraki: Robert Betts Popular songs in the language learning classroom
Iwate: Brent Jones Content-focused language instruction
Kitakyushu: Colin Thompson Task-supported language teaching: Factors for communication and grammar use
Nagasaki: Patricia Daly Oe Using picture books and storytelling to teach all age groups
Nagoya: Suzanne Bonn Teacher personal narratives in language classrooms
Nara: Kevin Stein Students’ stories of the extensive reading experience
Okinawa: David Kluge Sharing responsibility: Self-assessment and self-evaluation
Sendai: Gregory Sholdt Professional development through collaboration on quantitative research
Shinshu: Haruhiko Shiokawa From interpretation to implementation: The new course of study
Toyohashi: Takashi Miura The challenges of innovation in high school English classes
Yamagata: Cory Koby Ready or not, here it comes! Course of study curriculum changes to high school English education 2013
SIGs
Computer Assisted Language Learning: Richard Hawking Recording and submitting audio recordings using mobile phones
Framework & Language Portfolio: Sergio Mazzarelli Video recording and Moodle to aid the ELP in presentation-based courses
Gender Awareness in Language Education: Blake Hayes Conversation on gender borders: Japanese academia
Literature in Language Teaching: Anna Husson Isozaki Bridges to literature: New research and approaches
Materials Writers: Cameron Romney A systematic approach to making textbook supplements
Other Language Educators: Bertlinde Voegel Aussprachefehler von Studierenden. Auswertung von Audiodaten (Students’ pronunciation problems as analyzed from recorded audio data)
2013
Chapters
Akita: Rachel Ruegg Facilitating written feedback on students’ writing
Fukuoka: Craig Lambert Learning to perform narrative tasks in the L2 classroom: A longitudinal intact-group semester long study of task sequencing effects
Gifu: Umida Ashurova The wh’s of our profession
Gunma: Joel Laurier Cooperative learning and the changing role of the teacher in the new MEXT revisions
Hamamatsu: Jun Harada Let’s delve into the minds of ”bad” students
Hokkaido: Rob Olson The “WOW” factor: Ideas and activities for young English learners
Ibaraki: Maria Gabriela Schmidt Bilingual in Japan: German and Japanese reflecting theory and experience in language acquisition
Iwate: Carmen Hannah How to improve your situation in the elementary school English / foreign language classroom
Kitakyushu: Ai Murphy and Robert Murohy Practical neuro-ELT for kids and adults
Ibaraki: Maria Gabriela Schmidt Bilingual in Japan: German and Japanese reflecting theory and experience in language acquisition
Kobe: Adam Beck Raising bilingual children
Nagasaki: Terry Fellner Foreign language motivation in Japan
Nara: Jim Swan and Bonnie Yoneda 40 acres and a mule. 20 tatamis and a Calpis
Okinawa:Jon Dujmovich Curiosity to competency: Intercultural activities for the language classroom
Saitama: Anna Husson Isozaki Critical media literacy—Empowering university-level English learners to access and understand news and to sort truth from spin
Sendai:Kim Horne Brain rules, jewels, and tools
Shinshu: Trevor Joseph Developing output skills through interactive art boards (Kinesthetic-tactile learning)
Shizuoka: Robert Croker Researching ethically
Toyohashi: Adam Jenkins The mental lexicon: How did it get there?
SIGs
Computer Assisted Language Learning: James York Language learning in Minecraft
Critical Thinking: Peter Quinn
Gender Awareness in Language Education: Blake Hayes
Learner Development: Sayuri Hasegawa, Mathew Porter, and Caroline Ross
Literature in Language Teaching: David Kevin Stein
Other Language Educators: Morten Hunke What was the question? To tanka or to haiku – That is the question
Pragmatics: Alan Simpson Business English as a lingua franca: New horizons
Speech, Drama, and Debate: Aya Kawakami and Dawn Kobayashi
2012
Chapters
Akita: Cory Koby English debate in Japanese high school
Fukuoka: Paul Collett and Kristen Sullivan Developing resources for self-directed learning
Gifu: Mari Nakamura Empowering young readers with the brain in mind
Gunma: Miguel Gervais Teaching English: It’s YOUR business
Hamamatsu: Albert McCann The Dejima-zation of English
Hiroshima: Gregory Sholdt Professional development through collaboration on quantitative research
Ibaraki: Joyce Cunningham Using TV commercials in English class
Iwate: Joseph Falout Finding belonging inside and outside the classroom
Kitakyushu: James Jensen What infant phoneme acquisition studies imply for foreign language teachers
Kobe: Kensaku Yoshida English education based on the report of the Committee to Discuss the Improvement of Foreign Language Ability in Japan
Matsuyama: Rob Waring Balancing language teaching
Nagasaki: Justin Hunt Preparing students for speech contests
Nara: Hidetami Nakai Controversies over the current policy of English education by the MEXT and the possible contributions of native and nonnative English teachers
Oita: Nathan Ducker Successful language learners: Willingness to communicate and class participation
Okayama: Jason Lowes Turning them on: Ideas on creating a classroom in which everyone is fully engaged
Omiya: Martin Pauly Sign language & disability education – An overview
Sendai: Robert S. Murphy Connecting mind, brain and EFL
Shinshu: Akiko Seino How are my students getting it right for themselves?
Shizuoka: Robert Croker Using questionnaires and student reflections to better understand your classroom
Tokyo: Eucharia Donnery Language and technology: Rationale for inclusion in the Japanese university EFL classroom
Toyohashi: Sian Edwards and Anthony Young Benefits of computer‐mediated communication (CMC) through negotiated learning tasks using text‐chat and voice
SIGs
Bilingualism: Mary O’Sullivan My two children’s study abroad and homestay experience: Dealing with their Japanese schools, evaluating their stays
Computer-Assisted Language Learning:Rick Broadaway Teaching with TEDTalks through Moodle
Extensive Reading: Stuart McLean ER research design improvement: Measuring time on task
Gender Awareness in Language Education: Sarah Mulvey A reexamination of gender stereotypes in the Japanese classroom (Leggy Keiko)
Global Issues in Language Education: Tom Fast Global issues films in English language teaching
Pragmatics: Seth Cervantes and Rob C. Olson Using CA for professional development
Speech, Drama, & Debate: Harry Harris Debate for the needs of the second language classroom
Teaching Children: Kim Horne Our favorite class activities for young learners
2011
Chapters
Akita: Ken Schmidt Building a course in extensive reading for non-English majors
East Shikoku: Davey Leslie The Life in Kochi Project: Real writing and the process genre approach to EFL composition
Gifu:Lesley Burda Ito Experience the power of cross-curricular lessons for young learners
Gunma: Chris Stillwell Using conflict resolution techniques for language learning
Hamamatsu: David Stephens One language card set, several game variations;Gregg McNabb How to publish materials; Chris Tebbe Teaching vocabulary; Dan Frost A new approach to teaching junior high school students; Sue Sullivan What’s in a name?; Jon Dujmovich What is PechaKucha?; Sleeping in public; Chris Knapp PechaKucha: Walking the talk; Zane Ritchie An example of project-based teaching within a classroom; Colin Verstrepen Health care options for ALTs; Adam Jenkins Forgot the title: Neuroscience and EFL
Ibaraki: Takayuki Nakanishi Research method statistical issues, Part 1: What if you have two groups to compare?
Iwate: Cameron Romney Japanese copyright law and authentic materials: What teachers need to know
Kitakyushu: Barbara Hoskins Sakamoto Dogme in ELT: A demonstration
Kobe: Beniko Mason Extensive reading: Documenting its efficacy and understanding how to do it
Matsuyama: Linda K. Kadota A multimedia approach to poetry
Nagasaki: Andy Boon The illusion of synonyms: Investigating the similarities and differences between bias and prejudice / Setting up an extensive reading course: The beginning, the middle, and the end
Nagoya: Najma Janjua Textbook Rubric and Common Sense
Nara: Janina Tubby, Kim Horne, and Catherine Oki English for children
Oita: Christopher Stillwell Teacher awareness through peer observation
Okayama: David Barker What do English teachers need to know about English?
Sendai: Marc Helgelsen, Rikako Otomo, Mai Kato, Natsuki Kumada, Matt Wilson, Tatsuro Hikosaka, Cory Koby, Komaki Ninomiya, Ken Schmidt, Kotoha Suzuki, Tomonao Egawa, Joanne Sato, and Mayu Shioya Success stories: Local teachers interview their own successful students
Shizuoka: Tim Murphey Autonomy mastery and purpose
Toyohashi: Theron Muller Entering the conversation, joining the community: Legitimate participation in academic publishing
SIGs
Bilingualism: Tim Greer Editor of The Japan Journal of Multilingualism and Multiculturalism Vol. 17 for 2011
Extensive Reading: Hitoshi Nishizawa Three critical factors of a successful ER program
Global Issues in Language Education: Tim Grose Useful sites for teaching global issues / BANILAD: Portrait of Teachers Helping Teachers volunteer initiative in actions and words: Pedagogical challenges in a study abroad program in Laos
Lifelong Language Learning: Don Maybin A language training website that addresses the digital divide
Materials Writers: Greg Goodmacher Creating educational materials for content-based ESL
2010
Chapters
Gifu:Matt Smith Types, tokens, and patterns: Beginning corpus linguistics
Gunma: Akiko Takagi How to promote reflection in professional development
Hiroshima: Carol Rinnert New perspectives on pragmatic instruction: Moving beyond monolingual norms
Ibaraki: Anna Motohashi JALT2010: The best of “Creativity: Think Outside the Box”
Iwate: Marcos Benevides Intensively extensive: How my experience as an ESL learner has contributed to my teaching and writing
Kagoshima: Charles LeBeau Tips for presentations
Kitakyushu: Robert Murphy Using manga translation for deeper understanding in the language classroom
Kobe: Marian Wang and Scott Bean “English only” in the Japanese university EFL classroom: Attitudes, approaches, and the role of the L1
Kyoto: Folake Abass Teaching gender-related issues in the classroom
Matsuyama: Curtis Hart Kelly Brain science, teaching, and active skills of communication
Nagasaki: Richard Hodson Jokes and cartoons in the EFL classroom
Nagoya: Charles LeBeau Tips for teaching presentation
Nara: Leigh McDowell and Yoko Yaku Harold Palmer in Japan: A lesson from history
Oita: Neil Millington My Share: Energize and inspire your students
Omiya: Manfred Delano Cannegieter Do you wish you had more time and energy?
Sendai: Curtis Hart Kelly Brain-friendly learning: What neuroplasticity means for language teaching
Shinshu: Young-mi Lim, Sayaka Boa-Ampong, and Kazumi Seki Halloween activities: Workshop in Matsumoto
Shizuoka: Joseph Falout Surviving and succeeding in learning English
Tokyo: Scott Thornbury MASH Equinox presentations
Toyohashi: Andrew Kean Extensive reading and reading circles
SIGs
Extensive Reading: Emilia Fujigaki Effective ways of presenting ER to students
Gender Awareness in Language Education: Gwyn Helverson Performing the gendered body in visual art: My grandmothers, Yanagi Miwa challenges Japanese society’s concept of aging
Global Issues in Language Education: Matthew Walsh Task-based learning in education for sustainable development
Materials Writers: John Wiltshire and Steve King ELT publishing and you
Pragmatics: Yoshiko Aiba, Makiko Asaba, Yukie Saito, and Arthur Nguyen Exploring pragmatic development in business contexts
2009
Chapters
Fukuoka: Chris Flynn Tender teachers: How BOEs now “procure” teachers by tender bid
Gifu: Marc Hegelsen ELT & the science of happiness
Gunma: Steve Paydon and Yukari Saiki Developing group cohesion in the language classroom
Ibaraki: Deborah Grow Moving music center stage for young ESL learners
Iwate: Philip McCasland Using TV commercials as language teaching tools
Kagoshima: Chiaki Inoue How to produce engaging lessons plans
Kitakyushu: David Lisgo What is red?
Kobe: Brent Jones PechaKucha night
Kyoto: Warren Decker Group building in the classroom
Nagasaki: Nicholas Bovee and Jeff Stewart Shadowing and other out-of-class listening assignments
Nagoya: Chuck Sandy Critical thinking for active communication
Okayama: Chad Godfrey Enhancing EFL instruction through the use of manga
Okinawa: Jerald Halvorsen Organizing intensive English camps
Omiya: Joe Seigel On defining “good” language learners {and} university listening classes: Less product, more process
Shinshu: Mary Aruga, Tami Kaneko, and Shigeru Kobayashi The 20th Annual Suwako Charity Walk
Shizuoka: Gregory Strong Developing discussion tasks for EFL classrooms
Toyohashi: Mike Boswick Sharing 18 years of experience with language immersion in a Japanese K-12 school: Insights and implications
2008
Chapters
Gunma: Steve Quasha Exploring portfolio assessment in the EFL classroom
Iwate: Mark Neufeld Debate and structured discussions in the EFL classroom
Kitakyushu: Yosuke Yanase A three-dimensional understanding of communicative language ability
Matsuyama: Donna T. Fujimoto The nikkei experience in Japan
Nagasaki: Richard Hodson Can we teach humour in EFL classes?
Sendai: Jim Smiley and Brian Cullen Integrating music into EFL materials
Shinshu: Karen Ricks Teaching young learners with the Montessori Method
Toyohashi: David Barker Getting “back to basics” in English language teaching
West Tokyo: Mike McDonald Combining general and genre-specific approaches to L2 writing instruction
2007
Chapters
Fukuoka: Trevor Holster Identity and proficiency: Meaningful approaches to learning and assessment
Gunma: Stephen Jennings Students as editors: Using online concordancers
Iwate: John Hobbs Recipes for success for teaching medical English
Kagoshima: Jan O’Loughlin English feast
Kitakyushu: Hudson Murrell Dialogue and vocabulary journals
Nagasaki: Fumiko Ishinuki Experiences with action research: Seeking effective ways to do Japanese writing and English grammar lessons
Okayama: Ian Willey Report writing in Japanese universities in Japanese
Shinshu: Michihiro Hirai STEP BULATS: A practical test suite that makes real business sense; Grant Trew The new TOEIC Test: Understanding and overcoming the challenges
2006
Chapters
Gunma: David Schneer Using cooperative learning in your classroom
Iwate: Christine Winskowski and Susan Duggan —“What did you think of the course?” Understanding students’ course evaluations
Kagoshima: Jan O’Loughlin The power of poetry
Kitakyushu: Takashi Inomori Electronic dictionary workshop
Nagasaki: Richard Hodson “Defamiliarization” in the language classroom; Tomoko Maekawa Introducing English Communication in the Classroom text
Osaka: Greg Sholdt Exploring action research methods: Examples from an extensive reading program
Shinshu: Sue Fraser-Osada Communication through drama
Toyohashi: Charles Kowalski Storytelling in language teaching
West Tokyo: Daniel Stewart If I knew then what I know now: Advice on setting up an extensive reading program
2005
Chapters
Fukuoka:Ian Brown Two sessions on communicative CALL
Gunma: Natsue Nakayama Electronic dictionary vs. paper dictionary: How differences in dictionary interfaces affect English language learning
Kagoshima: Mayuka Habbick Irregular verb conjugations made easy!!
Kitakyushu: Beniko Mason Vocabulary acquisition through storytelling
Kobe: Marian Wang and Scott Bean “English only” in the Japanese university EFL classroom: Attitudes, approaches, and the role of the L1
Nagoya: Kathleen Kampa Vilina Songs and chants for young learners
Shinshu: Hideki Sakai Activities for young learners of English: Listening, thinking and learning
Toyohashi: Kathi Emori and the Nagoya Players Theater in the English language classroom, learning through play
SIGs
Learner Development: Stacey Vye Dealing with personal & professional change as EFL teachers in Japan; Marlen Harrison Emphasizing student autonomy through collaborative test creation
Pragmatics: John Rylander A video-based pragmatics class
2004
Chapters
Iwate: Takao Ogawa The “let me try” kids
Kagoshima: Kyoko Sonomoto Teaching phonics in a large class
Kitakyushu: Kay Hammond Presentation skills for public speaking
Nagoya: Kensaku Yoshida New directions in teaching English in Japan’s EFL context—From the results of Monkasho’s action plans
Okayama: Kumiko Miyamoto A database of classroom English
Osaka: Deryn P. Verity Language awareness for language teaching: How etymology can help
Sendai: Chris Cuadra and John Wiltshier TPR? It’s not that simple. L1 only? It’s not that simple
Toyohashi: Mary Hughes English games and short activities
West Tokyo: Andy Boon Cooperative development for language teachers
Yokohama: Jon Poel and Robert M. Homan Effective groupwork guidelines
2003
Chapters
Chiba: Ronald Schmidt-Fajlik Addressing individual differences through Howard Gardner’s theory of multiple intelligences
Kagoshima: Hitomi Iguma Kamishibai storyboards
Kitakyushu: John Small (now John Spiri) Putting words in their mouths
Kyoto: Jimmy Yagi Coaching success in the classroom
Nagasaki: Richard Graham Elementary school English: Teaching through songs and games
Shizuoka: Mary Hughes My Share: Fun, low-prep activities
Tokushima: Maho Yamada Jazz chants part 2
Toyohashi: Anthony Robins Making homepages worthwhile
Yokohama: Kurt Purucker, Cathy Purucker, and Rachel Hoskins International drama to spark ELT
2002
Chapters
Chiba: Mike Critchley The role of Japanese in communicative ELT
Gunma: Todd Jay Leonard Effective use of audio-visual materials
Ibaraki: Takeshige Nakano Grammar and reading: Base for improving overall English abilities
Kagoshima: Lynda Yoshida Phonics seminar
Kitakyushu: Malcolm Swanson, Nigel Stott, and Paul Collett On the edge: Integrating technologies in the classroom
Kobe: Charles Kowalski Storytelling in language teaching
Matsuyama: Richard Blight Language as social cooperation and implied meanings
Nagasaki: Kathleen Yamane Exploring varieties of English in the FL classroom
Nara: Jason Moser Task-based learning
Niigata: Rebecca Arthur Adapting textbook activities on the spot
Okinawa: Timothy Kelly Improving student speaking
Osaka: Wade Muncil Reflective teaching practice, peer mentoring, and using counsel in the classroom
Shinshu: Tami Kaneko and the entire Shinshu Chapter Charity Walk
Tokushima: David Moreton Getting to know you
Tokyo: Charles LeBeau Copy right, or wrong
West Tokyo: Hywel Evans Making your lessons more communicative
2001
Chapters
Hiroshima: Susumu Nagara Junctures between Japanese language teaching and English language teaching
Ibaraki: Mary Lee Field Effective during-reading strategies and graded readers for extensive reading programs
Kitakyushu: Go Yoshizawa Sign language contact between Japanese Sign Language and American Sign Language
Nagasaki: Malcolm Swanson First-day activities
Okinawa: Kip Cates Peace education in the language classroom
Omiya: Theo Steckler and Marc Sheffner Star Taxi
Shizuoka: Michelle Nagashima K to 12: Exploring new ideas
Yokohama: Charles LeBeau Integrating the four skills through debate
2000
Chapters
Toyohashi: Prisca Molots Rhythm and rap music
1999
Chapters
Toyohashi: David Kluge Partner taping for fluency
1998
Chapters
Kitakyushu: Aleda Krause Grammar games