Keiko Sakui, Mari NakamuraThis presentation explores learner agency and motivation through project-based teaching. The two presenters will discuss their respective experiences of project-based teaching, and how and whether this type of teaching promotes learner agency and motivation. The first presenter, Mari Nakamura, will describe one of the creative projects that she implements in her language […]

Jason LowesThe year 2021 has not been easy. In some ways we were getting used to the “masked” life of pandemic Japan, and looking forward to its end. But then one of the worst corona outbreaks occurred this summer, 18 months in, just when we were supposed to be climbing back to normalcy. Okayama JALT […]

Peter BurdenA strong and vital school ethos has the potential to raise the levels of students’ school engagement. Yet what is “ethos”? It can be described as institutional “core values, attitudes, beliefs and culture”, or, more simply, the welcome of the office staff, the positive attitudes of teachers and students, or as a “subliminal smile […]

NatureJoin us for an easy hike on Mount Tatsunokuchi! Basic Plan We will meet at the parking. We will then take the ‘Danhara’ pilgrims’ route to the shrine at the top. The first section is a little rocky, but it’s good fun. We will then walk to the summit and back down to the parking. […]

Susan Meiki, Teresa StockwellSusan Meiki and Teresa Stockwell will talk about their experience of creating and self-publishing an English Speaking textbook using Amazon’s Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) system. In part one, we will discuss the catalyst, inspiration, content, and student reactions. In part two we will share the logistics of formatting and publishing on Amazon. […]

Satoko Kato, Dominique Vola Ambinintsoa, Melodie CookThis workshop focuses on enhancing teachers’ well-being through the approach of ‘reflective dialogue’. In this workshop, the presenters break down the concept of reflective dialogue and facilitate a practical session where participants can learn how to conduct reflective dialogue. Participants will learn some basic active listening strategies (repeating, restating, […]

Tim Cleminson, Ian NakamuraThis workshop starts with an introduction to exploratory practice by Ian. Exploratory practice is an inclusive approach to teaching and professional development that foregrounds mutual understanding through dialogue. Tim and Ian will then facilitate pair work based on the exploratory practice approach. Participants will be asked to think about their working lives […]

Tim Cleminson (organizer)Presenters write down a personal puzzle or question about their practice, then write a couple of short points to discuss. Observer/participants listen to presenters introduce their puzzles. They can share experiences and add thoughts and reflections to the puzzle. In this way, the presentation is collaborative and grows throughout the session. This will […]

variousWe invite JALT friends to contribute a short, visually oriented presentation for 6 to 8 minutes on a topic that’s important to you. You can talk about your research, about your philosophy of teaching, etc. (Hopefully your presentation will relate somehow to Japan, Okayama, and/or language teaching/learning, but it’s not a strict requirement.) We will […]

Robert PeacockPronunciation skills are vital for successful communication in English in today’s globalized world. But there are many important questions related to pronunciation practice. • Do learners need to sound like native speakers in order to communicate well? • How can learners retain their L1 identity? • When and how should learners practice their pronunciation? […]

Roger Ferrari , Bobby Saito Roger Ferrari This is a brief introduction of a method I’ve developed to help English learners improve their speaking skills. It is based on acting techniques and speech therapy and involves repetition of sounds to strengthen the biomechanics of speech (the tongue, jaw, lips and such). The presentation will discuss […]

Keiko Sakui, Neil CowieMachine Translation and the Future of Language Learning Keiko Sakui & Neil Cowie Machine Translation (MT) software such as Google Translate or DeepL is ubiquitous in society, and its level is now higher than that of most language learners. As a result, teachers need information about how best to use MT in […]

Tim CleminsonOFFICER MEETING From 15:00 to 17:00 JALT officers will meet to discuss the year’s plans and introduce new officers. NEW YEAR SOIREE Starting at 17:00 we invite all JALT members and friends to come for an informal social gathering at Kamp. Charge is free in general, although there is a one-drink minimum at the […]

These days students can easily use Machine Translation (MT) to avoid doing L2 educational activities, such as reading an English text. On the other hand, MT can be used as an effective learning and communication tool. Considering this, teachers must set guidelines and incorporate educational activities which promote the effective use of MT. As the […]

Tim Cleminson, Scott Gardner, Evelyn Hayashibara, Jason Baideman, David Townesend, Heather SuzukiOpportunity for members to present their research and practice in a friendly atmosphere.  Drink and food will be shared as well as lots of discussion on the topics and themes of the presentations.

Bruno Jactat, Shawna Carroll, John RucynskiIf you are encouraged (or required) by your institution to apply for yearly kakenhi research grants, join us for some helpful advice from a few people who have successfully applied. First we have: Bruno Jactat (University of Tsukuba) Perusal of a Successful Kakenhi Application : Drafting a Winning Grant Application […]

Tim CleminsonBusiness Meeting / Free Share and Social! Okayama JALT is going to hold a combined business meeting and free-share even this Saturday, June 17, at our usual location at Notre Dame Seishin University. Feel free to join us as we talk about the needs of JALT members in Okayama, and share other teaching, researching, networking […]

Alexandra Sebastiano, Justin HarrisTBLT and ELF: Implications for materials design Justin Harris, Kindai University This talk will focus on how ELT materials design can effectively reflect core principles of Task Based Language Teaching (TBLT) and English as a Lingua Franca (ELF). It will begin with discussion on the basics of TBLT and ELF, providing clear, […]

Tim Cleminson (Kawasaki University of Medical Welfare), Rudolf Reinelt (Formerly of Ehime University), Bettina Begole (Tottori University of Environmental Studies)Okayama, Matsuyama and Tottori JALT – ONLINE EVENT     COST: Free to all PRESENTATION RESCHEDULED (Date TBD) We are very sorry to inform you the event this weekend has to be rescheduled.  The rescheduling is due […]

Arnold Arao, Heather SuzukiTELL (Tokyo English Lifeline): Providing Mental Health Support to Japan’s International Community Arnold Arao, TELL Volunteer Coordinator TELL (Tokyo English Lifeline) is a not-for-profit organization providing mental health services to the international community in Japan, specifically addressing the country’s growing mental health care needs. TELL’s main service is a free, confidential crisis […]

Nyein Su Hlaing, Tony WalshStudy Abroad and International Fieldwork Tony Walsh, Fukuchiyama University, Kyoto This presentation provides insights into two pilot courses involving students studying abroad in Australia (university students) and Canada (junior high school students). We discuss homestay and dormitory living, along with before/after reflections of students. We will also focus on hits and […]

At “world famous” local backpackers/cafe KAMP! Presenters contribute short, visually oriented presentations for 6 to 8 minutes on a topic important to them: research, philosophy of teaching, etc. (Hopefully your presentation will relate somehow to Japan, Okayama, and/or language teaching/learning, but it’s not a strict requirement.) Q&A after each presentation, the length of which depends […]

OFFICER MEETING From 15:00 to 17:00 JALT officers will meet at NDSU to discuss the year’s plans and introduce new officers. Everyone is invited to come along and see some of the inner workings of JALT Okayama. NEW YEAR SOIREE Starting at 17:00 we invite all JALT members and friends to come for an informal […]

Gavin ThomasGavin Thomas Presents If you have a disabled student in your class, you have to change your teaching style to better suit that student. I will show two aspects of my teaching style and my reasons for doing these. Then I’ll talk about how I adapted my approach to the challenge of a disabled […]

𝗢𝗸𝗮𝘆𝗮𝗺𝗮 𝗝𝗔𝗟𝗧 ‘𝗕𝗹𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝗯𝘄𝗲𝗯𝘀 𝗢𝘂𝘁’ 𝗛𝗶𝗸𝗲 𝟮𝟬𝟮4 𝗗𝗮𝘁𝗲:            March, 16th  10:30~13:00 (Bus Home) 10:30~15:00 (Round trip hike)  𝗟𝗼𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻:     Mount Misao to Sougenji Temple 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴:       Behind baseball grounds, by Gokokujinjya shrine https://maps.app.goo.gl/FNLLoBvnY4ktn7X96 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗺:           Catch tram to Higashiyama Terminal then walk to Gokokujinja 𝗕𝗮𝗱 𝗪𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿: 𝗜𝗻 […]