The Impact of Assistant Language Teachers on English Education in Shizuoka Prefecture

Akierah Binns and Dr. Samantha-Kaye JohnstonThe body of literature on Assistant Language Teachers (ALTs) continues to expand since Japan embarked on the international exchange and teaching programme, JET, in 1987. However, to the best of the presenter’s knowledge, However, to the best of the presenters’ knowledge, no studies (in English) have been found on ALTs […]

Your neurodiverse students: Breaking down the hidden barriers in the classroom

Alexandra BurkeLearning differences affect how students learn, study, express and organise themselves: what suits a neurotypical student, could be a barrier to a neurodiverse one. In this session, we will cover what it’s like to have dyslexia, dysgraphia, ADHD, dyspraxia, autism, and differences in vision, and small changes in teaching practices that can help all […]

Shizuoka JALT July 31st Get Together

Please join us on July 31st for a casual online get-together via Zoom from 7pm. The link to the meeting will be made available on our ShizuJalt website 10 minutes before the meeting. Share teaching tips, life and every day stories. Get to know your fellow members and other guests. Looking forward to seeing you […]

Creative Writing in Language Teaching Contexts

Mary Hillis, Luke Draper, Jared Michael Kubokawa, Tara McIlroyFour members of the Literature in Language Teaching SIG will share their ideas on using creative writing in language teaching contexts. Speakers: Mary Hillis, Luke Draper, Jared Michael Kubokawa, and Tara McIlroy: Topics: Rereading, Retelling, Reimagining: Literature and Creative Writing in the Classroom: Mary Hillis Activating Scripts: […]

Developments in Professional Development hosted by Gifu, Niigata, Saitama, and Shizuoka Chapters of JALT

Kazumi Kato, Wendy M. Gough, Melodie Cook, Jennie Roloff Rothman , Mary Nobuoka, Wendy M. Gough, Chiyuki Yanase, Colin Skeates, Bill SnyderDevelopments in Professional Development Hosted by Gifu, Niigata, Saitama, and Shizuoka Chapters of JALT Date: Sunday December 5, 2021 Time: 14:00–17:00 JST Online via Zoom: Edzil.la link:  https://gnss2021.edzil.la/  (No need to register or log in. […]

Shizuoka JALT 2021 AGM & Bonen’kai

Greetings Shizuoka JALT members! It’s election season! Please vote for whom you think would be a good officer. Please note that some of the positions are open. If interested, please feel free to nominate yourself. Voting in the election will open, on email, from November 21, 2021. The ballots will remain open for voting until […]

Shizuoka ‘My Share’

Various speakersHappy 2022 everyone! Hope you all had a nice winter break. So as you may have guessed, our first get-together this year is once again going to be an on-line event rather than the in-person one which we had hoped for. It’s a ‘My Share,’ a tried-and-true event in which various people give a […]

Jackie Steele JALT Event (February 27th, 2022)

Dr. Jackie F. Steele: Educator, Political Scientist, and CEO & Founder, enjoi Japan K.K.Dr. Jackie F. Steele: Educator, Political Scientist, and CEO & Founder, enjoi Japan K.K. For more information about Dr. Steele and the presentation, please visit the following website. https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ipJZwQIk0bTb-oV3f1-rRrKRgiNsIYcJGY9_… About us This event is co-sponsored by the JALT CALL and GALE SIGs […]

ShizuJALT May Meeting

Jonathan deHaanIt has been a long time since we’ve been able to participate in any face to face activities so we’re delighted to announce the following event! We’ve invited Jonathan deHaan from the University of Shizuoka to speak about his game related research (abstract below). Date & time: May 28, 2022 (1:30pm-4:30pm) *Note: We have […]

Making Time for Research: An Educator’s Experience

Winifred Lewis ShiraishiProfessional Development (PD) is an important facet of an educator’s career. It has been noted that attending conferences, keeping up with current research trends, and participating in PD activities enhances career trajectories as well as increases job satisfaction. Yet for many educators, this gets pushed to the side. Often class preparation and administrative […]

Counter-Story Telling as a Social Justice Pedagogy

Dr. Yilin SunPlease join the Shizuoka Chapter for our October in-person Event in Shizuoka City! Dr. Yilin Sun will be giving an interactive workshop as a lead-up to JALT 2022 in November! Please see her abstract and bio posted below. Abstract Come and join this interactive workshop with the facilitator to explore ways to utilize […]

Teaching Fluency Using the Verbal Classrooms Method

José Domingo Cruz  José Domingo Cruz All teachers want their students to achieve higher levels of fluency, but how to teach it, and what classroom methods actually work? The presenter has been teaching fluency-based speaking classes for over 20 years and will share his methods and theories to get students to speak faster and to […]

Navigating Challenges and Embracing Innovations in the AI Era (90 minute workshop)

Louise OhashiNavigating Challenges and Embracing Innovations in the AI Era (90 minute workshop)   Abstract: Artificial intelligence (AI) is having a greater impact on language education year by year, and this trend will continue whether teachers are ready for it or not. Machine translation is becoming more accurate and the latest game changer, ChatGPT, produces […]

Navigating Challenges and Embracing Innovations in the AI Era (90 minute workshop)

Louise OhashiNavigating Challenges and Embracing Innovations in the AI Era (90 minute workshop)   Abstract: Artificial intelligence (AI) is having a greater impact on language education year by year, and this trend will continue whether teachers are ready for it or not. Machine translation is becoming more accurate and the latest game changer, ChatGPT, produces […]

Navigating Challenges and Embracing Innovations in the AI Era (90 minute workshop)

Louise OhashiNavigating Challenges and Embracing Innovations in the AI Era (90 minute workshop)   Abstract: Artificial intelligence (AI) is having a greater impact on language education year by year, and this trend will continue whether teachers are ready for it or not. Machine translation is becoming more accurate and the latest game changer, ChatGPT, produces […]

Navigating Challenges and Embracing Innovations in the AI Era (90 minute workshop)

Louise OhashiNavigating Challenges and Embracing Innovations in the AI Era (90 minute workshop)   Abstract: Artificial intelligence (AI) is having a greater impact on language education year by year, and this trend will continue whether teachers are ready for it or not. Machine translation is becoming more accurate and the latest game changer, ChatGPT, produces […]

Why We Teach

Chiyuki Yanase & Andy BoonAfter several years in the profession and amid our everyday busy working lives, it can be easy to forget where we came from; how and why we began. Language teaching can be a rewarding endeavor (Swabey, 2021). Each day can present us with unique and interesting challenges, and we can make […]

Shizuoka JALT: Thinking about Critical Thinking

Andy Boon & Gregory HadleyDate: October 29, 2:00pm, online via Zoom   Meeting ID: 895 4387 7598 Password: 460435 https://nihon-u-ac-jp.zoom.us/j/89543877598?pwd=enQ3ci9MVzdNWU4xNmNCTUdIZ0M5Zz09 ミーティング ID: 895 4387 7598 パスコード: 460435 Abstract – With the proliferation of fallacious arguments, “fake news,” and untrustworthy sources in today’s multimedia landscape, critical thinking skills are vital not only in one’s native language but also when engaged […]

Shizuoka JALT: JALT International Pre-Conference Mini-Presentations

Peter Clements, Adrianne Verla Uchida, Gregg McNabb, Adam Jenkins & Susan Laura Sullivan, Others: TBAJoin us on Saturday, November 4 from 2pm to get a taste of the variety of presentations that JALT International’s conference has in store for educators and  learners! More details will be added closer to the date. Peter Clements: Identity Work for […]

Shizuoka JALT: Steps Forward in Empowering and Enabling Students with Learning Difficulties, Disabilities or Differences: Updates

Ayako Ooiwa and Michael Y. YapOnline meeting for April 20.  Zoom link will be provided on the Shizu-JALT website 10 minutes before the meeting. Link to the website: https://www.shizujalt.org/#/ Contributors to the soon to be published: Barrier-Free Instruction in Japan: Recommendations for Teachers at All Levels of Schooling, (Edited by Alexandra Burke, Davey Young, and Melodie Lorie Cook, […]

Island Insights: Unveiling Challenges and Dreams of Future Language Teachers in Curaçao

Kinsella ValiesIsland Insights: Unveiling Challenges and Dreams of Future Language Teachers in Curaçao Larger island nations like Japan have numerous universities. Smaller islands like Nauru (21 km²) in the south-pacific offer university courses while Curacao (444 km²) in the Caribbean features a university that educates language teachers. This presentation examines challenges faced by outer circle […]

Shizuoka JALT: Fostering Language Learner Autonomy

Ashley BartholomyFostering Language Learner Autonomy: Focusing on studies of first-year university students in Japan from the past five years, Ashley’s presentation will explore the nuanced landscape of autonomy and related terminology, and ways to foster autonomous learning in the classroom. Her research draws insights from her master’s dissertation, “Examining Teaching Approaches for Fostering Language Learner Autonomy […]

Maximize the Success and Joy of Your Family’s Bilingual Journey

Adam BeckMaximize the Success and Joy of Your Family’s Bilingual Journey What are the “best practices” for parents seeking to raise bilingual or multilingual children? How can you generate as much rewarding progress as possible over the childhood years while avoiding common pitfalls along the way? Join Adam Beck, a long-time leader in the field […]

Shizuoka JALT: Catharsis Through Support — Black Women in Professional Spaces in Japan

Kinsella Valies & Lisa M. Barker-HunsbergerCatharsis Through Support – Black Women in Professional Spaces in Japan Within the small expat community in Japan, the Black diaspora is generally considered to be  a minority within the minority. This presentation is based on a research paper exploring the professional journeys of Black women and non-binary individuals living […]

Balsamo Asian Scholar Four Corners Tour: Generative AI in ELT: Tools, Tutors, Mates, Tutees, and Shizuoka JALT AGM

Balsamo Asian Scholar: Dr. Francisca Maria IvoneEnglish language education (ELT) is currently undergoing a transformation because of generative artificial intelligence (AI), especially chatbots, which may function as tools, tutors, partners, and tutees all at once. This presentation delves into the multifaceted applications of generative AI, highlighting its crucial role in customising learning experiences and fostering […]