Kevin Bartlett, Nathan Ducker

Communicative Language Teaching: TPR and Multiple Intelligences
Abstract
In this presentation I intend to outline my findings of a survey conducted at 2 different High Schools in Oita City (both high academic level schools), which looked at teachers’ opinions and concerns towards the new curriculum which is scheduled to be introduced in Heisei 25. I intend to basically outline the new curriculum and communicative teaching theory before outlining Japanese Teachers of English concerns to using, implementing and gaining confidence in this style of teaching in the classroom. Using discussions and language tasks (which incorporate Multiple intelligences so that every learner is supported), I intend to brainstorm ideas with participants and get people thinking about how best to use communicative teaching in their own classrooms.
Presenter’s Bio
Kevin Bartlett has been working as a full time English teacher and exchange programs coordinator at Hiramatsu Gakuen in Oita City since 2005. He holds a Master of Applied Linguistics from the University of Southern Queensland and a Master of Arts in Advanced Japanese Studies from the University of Sheffield.
His research interests include Teacher Training and Development, Communicative Teaching, Student Motivation, Gender and Sexuality issues in Japan, Japanese Anthropology and both Pre-Modern and Modern Japanese Society.
Successful Language Learners: Willingness to Communicate and Class Participation
Abstract
Communicative competence can be considered as one of the main goals of any EFL program. Additionally, theories of SLA (Output, Interaction, Skill building and Automatic processing) indicate that actual communication is an important aspect of successful language learning. As such, in many EFL programs active participation is an important part of students’ learning and evaluation. This presentation asks the questions: Can the psychological construct “Willingness to Communicate” predict students’ actual active participation in class? And, how can teachers and planners use this knowledge to improve their language programs?
Presenter’s Bio
Nathan Ducker is an English lecturer at Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University.