James VenemaThis workshop will introduce three communicative writing tasks that could be incorporated into a variety of English Communication classes: writing to prepare for conversations and discussions, writing anecdotes, and formal debate. The writing tasks share the following characteristics: 1.There is a clear communicative purpose. 2.They can facilitate oral communication in class. 3.Their clear structure […]

Yoko TakanoTraditional grammar teaching consists of focus on forms where L2 learners conduct grammar practice without necessarily understanding the meaning of the sentences. On the contrary, focus on form is a different approach to grammar teaching where students can focus on the meaning before focusing on form. This presentation reports the results of nineteen months […]

Sarah MercerIn this workshop, we will consider how centrally important the teacher is for what happens within the classroom, not just in terms of the practicalities of teaching but also in terms of the classroom atmosphere and learner motivation. If the teacher is not engaged and motivated, then it is unlikely their learners will be. […]

Rie AdachiIn this presentation the speaker will examine the possibilities of contextualizing Content Language Integrated Learning (henceforth, CLIL) into Japanese elementary schools, and discusses how to implement CLIL lessons which are adjusted to Japanese educational settings. In Japan, it is a priority to improve students’ English communicative proficiency. Therefore, Japan will start English education for […]

Takayuki Nagamine, Irum ShahzadiThe current trend in pronunciation seems to be shifting from pursuit of native-like pronunciation to mutual intelligibility among the speakers, in the form of English as an International Language (EIL) or English as a Lingua Franca (ELF). It is known that the phonetic variables in an accent trigger different attitudes in the […]

Adam MurrayIn the first part, Adam will talk about the impact of anxiety on foreign language learning. He personally became interested in this area of research from his experiences learning and using Japanese. Although the majority of anxiety-related research focuses on speaking, his research is on foreign language listening anxiety. He conducted a medium-sized study […]

Takayuki Nagamine, Patrick Ng, Tricia Okada, Alan ThompsonThis is a mini-conference jointly sponsored by Aichi University and Toyohashi chapter. All participants are invited to join the speakers for dinner after the event. !0:00 Opening 10:15 Takayuki Nagamine (Aichi University of Education) – Attitudes towards Japan English and its features. In this presentation, the presenter will […]

NoneEveryone is invited to our annual potluck picnic and barbecue, which will be held at the usual place in Takashi Ryokuchi Park, just south of the university campus where we usually meet. Barbecue will be provided, but please bring something to eat or drink, especially something you can share with others. You are welcome to […]

Several SpeakersSeveral teachers with different backgrounds have been invited to talk about their approach to teaching and to discuss their differing classroom experiences with us. We are looking forward to gathering the widest range of input from everyone at this informal event. Speakers may include Cameron North, Mike Boyce, Scott Combs, Hiromi Kinoshita, Giuliane Yasukawa […]

Josh Brunotte , Chris Hastings Virtual Reality has been used as a training tool for several decades in various domains, including language teaching, but because of the technology’s high cost and bulk its use has been limited to special labs and research projects, rarely making it into the hands of the average learner in the […]

Panel discussionThe panel will include current ALTs at schools in the Toyohashi/Hamamatsu area as well as former ALTs with experience in a variety of teaching situations. The topics for discussion will focus on the challenges facing ALTs today in the different schools where they teach, and their function within the overall system, as seen by […]

Dr Hiroyuki Kuno  From 24-27th November the World Association of Lesson Studies will hold its annual International Conference at Nagoya University.  The chair of the Organising Committee is Dr Hiroyuki Kuno, who has agreed to take time out from his busy schedule to introduce us to the basic principles of Lesson Study and how it […]

Gabriel Diaz MaggioliThe development of oracy skills is generally cited as one of the difficulties that English language teachers experience. In this workshop we will explore various tried and tested techniques that get students talking…and talking…and talking. Come to this workshop and learn a variety of techniques to help boost your learners’ oral expression. In […]

Matthew GillesThe presenter will demonstrate a teaching method to help develop academic essay writing in the classroom, with an approachable fixed format that increases the students’ ability to acutely focus their ideas, increases cohesion in their essay, and supports logical progression in their writing.  Participants will be exposed to an established strategy for developing effective […]

Jason Pratt  Students of English in Japan, particularly those outside major metropolitan areas, typically have limited chances to talk with foreigners. This could result in English communication being strictly a classroom phenomenon. Social media, however, can allow students the chance to connect with people from around the world in a way that is accessible and […]

Cameron SmithFor a very long time, policymakers in Japan have worried that the education system has failed to support creativity. In recent years, the Japanese education ministry – in line with many countries around the world – has promoted creativity as a key educational goal. But what does creativity mean? Why should we worry about […]

NoneEveryone is welcome to enjoy our May picnic and BBQ held at Takashi Ryokuchi Park not far from our usual meeting place of Aichi University campus. Please bring along friends and family – children are especially welcome. BBQ will be provided, but you are asked to bring food and drink to share.

Peter LyonsInvestigation into motivation in English language learning is nothing new. Indeed, well over a decade ago, Dornyei referred to its ‘history of over four decades’ as ‘one of the most thoroughly examined areas of second language acquisition’. However, while the research area may have a depth of study and knowledge already established, the language […]

Daniela Johne and Tony RyanTwo speakers will talk about their experiences with CLIL in contrasting countries and contrasting learning environments. Daniela Johne-Yamamoto, originally from Germany, has been teaching CLIL in public schools in Italy for three years. She will talk about her previous teaching in elementary schools there and her current work in elementary schools, […]

Mary NobuokaThis event has been cancelled due to the approaching typhoon Many people think that children raised by parents who speak two or more languages will naturally become bilingual or multilingual. However, in a monolingual country (like Japan or the USA), raising a bilingual child requires planning and attention. This presentation covers six factors involved […]

Tomokazu Ishikawa , Paul McBride, James D’AngeloThis meeting is in association with a project of the Institute for Research in Humanities and Social Sciences, Aichi University.

Lindsay ClandfieldLindsay will examine some of the issues and problems with teachers’ obsessions with authenticity, as it relates to teaching materials and the desire to reflect the real world in classrooms. His presentation is part of the annual JALT ‘Four Corners’ program.

Thomas Eldred, Eric Hankin, Taka Nagamine and Anthony RobinsOur December meeting will combine: Reflections on the JALT International Conference, with Thomas Eldred, the JALT Toyohashi Annual Committee Election and Bringing the Festive Spirit to a Teacher Training Weekend, a presentation with Eric Hankin, Anthony Robins and Taka Nagamine Plus, one of the highlights of the year […]

Kim Dong Chan, Lillian Mei Torii, Rini Ayu Thalia and Vu Phuong ThaoInternational students from contrasting countries will talk about the role of English in their countries, how they learned it themselves, and, in some cases, how they teach it themselves.

Anthony RobinsHong Kong may seem very different from Japan, with its British colonial history and its status now as a Special Administrative Region (S.A.R.) of China. Certainly, there are contrasts concerning language teaching, with the aim and need to focus on Cantonese, Mandarin (Putonghua) and English. However, concerning English teaching, there are both similarities and […]