picture album page 3 - the 5th meeting of 2006
(pictures of the September meeting below)
July
"I gave a presentation on how to adapt an American science textbook in a university-level English class at a JALT meeting in March, 2004. I adapted the textbook based on Neal Anderson's ACTIVE READING series.... This year I've been teaching about 65 students in two different classes. The students are eager to learn..."
Guest speaker: Stephen Shucart
Date: July 22nd, 2006
Title: ESP- Adapting a US High School Science Textbook for the Classroom - Redux
Time: 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Place: AIU (Akita International University)
Room: B-103
7 people attended.
Reading goals were based on Neil J. Anderson’s model of ACTIVE reading. To prepare for each reading assignment, students were given key word lists along with lists of translations. Students also worked in class in pairs on vocabulary definitions prior to reading. Crossword Forge software was used to generate word search exercises for the vocabulary phase. The presenter also showed how introductory and "before you read" activities can be generated and used as homework to "Activate Prior Knowledge" and "Teach for Comprehension" in Anderson's steps. Text-based worksheets and pair-work "Think About It" discussions on text-topics were explained along with the use of mind maps or "word webs." The division of a 90-minute class first into tasks derived from previous homework and then preparing the next homework assignment was explained. Students are also encouraged to verify strategies and evaluate their own progress. The presenter explained his development of "ESP Nano-Listening" activities. Readings of nine essays were loaded on an iPod Nano provided to selected students and also placed on a web site for downloading. Listening tests were given to students before and after iPod use during a semester. The results indicated that, overall, iPod use did not produce significant improvements in listening. However, while little listening improvement occurred among stronger students, weaker students improved more. Plans to make class more multi-media and interactive through the use of moodle were discussed.
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AKITA JALT meetings in 2006
picture album page 3 - the 6th meeting of 2006
(pictures of the July meeting 2006 above)
September
"I enjoy teaching 'Current English', 'Cross-cultural Knowledge', 'English Expression' and 'Language Laboratory.' They are all SelHi English classes. Most students work very hard..."
"What I don't like in the Japanese education system in general is the low passing mark -- 35%. How can students who understand only 35% of what they have learned be expected to do a good job in the future?..."
"The future of the JET programme may depend on the stricter recruitment rules of ALT applicants. I also think that more extensive training should be provided to ALTs after they have come here. Maybe JALT or other organizations could help them..."
Guest speaker: Mike Plugh
Date: September 30th
Title: Assisting Learners: One ALT's Experience
Time: 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Place: AIU (Akita International University)
Room: B-103
12 people attended.
Mike Plugh is not your typical JET teacher. To begin with, he's 35, almost 10 years older than the norm. He began his talk with an introduction of the JET program in general, and his own place in it in particular. He is an AET at Akita Minami High School, a SelHi, or Super English Language High School. Being an ALT means different things for different people. With few standardized guidelines about how an ALT is to be used, schools are left to build relationships with their new foreign staff on their own. For this reason, the range of ALT experiences is vast and varied. In his presentation, he shed light on some of these experiences and the things he’s learned about feelings on both sides of the team teaching system. The main focus, however, was on his own teaching experience. The talk ended with a discussion of the future of the JET program. The biggest shock came when he revealed the absolutely appalling information that 35% is the passing grade for a high school student!
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more pictures
go to JALT photo album 42
go to pictures of the meetings in 2005
go to pictures of the meetings in 2004
go to pictures of the meetings in 2003
go to pictures of the meetings in 2002
go to pictures of the meetings in 2001
go to pictures of the past meetings (1998 - 2000)
Akita JALT
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