jalt58

AKITA JALT meetings in 2011
picture album page 1 - the 1st meeting of 2011

March

Guest speaker: Takaaki Hiratsuka
Date: March 19th, 2011
Title: JET Program In Action
Time: 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Place: AIU (Akita International University) B-103

6 people attended.

Chapter Report
(to be printed in The Language Teacher)
Guest speaker: Takaaki Hiratsuka

AKITA: March - JET Program In Action by Takaaki Hiratsuka. An engaging presentation, Hiratsuka began with having participants talk about their experiences and stories of the March 11th earthquake that severely rocked Japan. This paired conversation was a way to introduce his ideas about experiences and how people can learn from them. After this phase of the presentation Hiratsuka told those in attendance about his experiences with Japan Exchange and Teaching's (JET) assistant language teachers (ALTs). While the particularities of the JET program were laid out, it was set to the backdrop of how Japanese teachers of English (JTEs) cooperate with their ALTs. Hiratsuka had a very good experience team teaching with his ALT, but said in Akita Prefecture this was not the norm. He said the use of ALTs in Akita Prefecture was very inconsistent; some being responsible for planning all lessons, and others responsible for nothing. The presentation had many facts about the JET program. One showed the program was on the decline in terms of total number of ALTs working in Japan. With the narratives and themes set we watched a video involving team teaching between Hiratsuka and the ALT assigned to his school. The presentation ended with a discussion where Hiratsuka spoke about the implications from his study. There were two - 1) JTEs should go abroad to improve their English language abilities. This would be sponsored by the various Boards of Education. And 2) JET ALTs should be hired incorporating a 2-step process involving testing for English language and cultural education/teaching knowledge. During the Q & A session Hiratsuka said he remains hopeful the JET program in Akita can continue more effectively, but the Board of Education has to give a clear outline about how to best to utilize the ALTs.

Reported by Wayne Malcolm

AKITA JALT meetings in 2011
picture album page 1 - the 2nd meeting of 2011may2011

May

Guest speaker: Wayne Malcolm,
Carlos Budding,
Sean Arnold,
Bobby Takahashi,
Steve Shucart
Date: May 28th, 2011
Title: JALT 2010 Nagoya National Conference All-Star Presentations
Time: 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Place: AIU (Akita International University) B-103

8 people attended.

Chapter Report
(to be printed in The Language Teacher)
Guest speaker: Takaaki Hiratsuka

AKITA – May 2011- Akita-JALT 2010 Nagoya National Conference All-Star Presentations – Wayne Malcolm, Carlos Budding, Sean Arnold, Bobby Takahashi and Steve Shucart. This meeting was divided into four parts - versions of the talks given at the 2010 JALT National Conference. Carlos started the afternoon with his presentation: Lights, Camera, Action - Using Drama and Theatre in the Language Classroom. Next Sean took over talking about Developing Leaders Through Reading and Discussion. Bobby and Steve followed with their talk Using Story-Telling in the CBI Classroom. The final presentation, Latest developments of 'Investigating and exploring non-judgmental stances’, was an update on the Nagoya presentation Wayne gave with his partner Takaaki Hiratsuka, who was unable to attend this meeting, as he is now at the University of Auckland, in New Zealand. Wayne presented the findings from their study. Each presentation was followed by a lively Q&A session.

more pictures
go to JALT photo album 59

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go to pictures of the meetings in 2001
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