jalt67

AKITA JALT meetings in 2014
picture album page 2 - the 4th meeting of 2014

June

Guest speakers: Joe Sykes, Akita International University
Date: Saturday, June 28, 2014
Topic: The complex stories behind autonomous learners
Time: 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Place: Join-us

6 people attended

Chapter Report
(to be printed in The Language Teacher)
Guest speaker: Joe Sykes

AKITA – June 2014 – The complex stories behind autonomous learners - Joe Sykes, Akita International University. Recent research in the field of learner autonomy has shifted from the psychological view, which treats the learner in isolation, to the sociocultural view, in which the learner is an integral part of the sociocultural context. This presentation examined the stories of three language learners. Although different, all three stories featured high levels of learner autonomy. Using Grounded Theory methodology, the data was analyzed through four inter-related theoretical "lenses”: learner autonomy; motivation; identity and sociocultural context. The interplay between these four factors was examined, leading to the conclusion that they are all agents in complex adaptive systems. The defining characteristics of complex adaptive systems are: dynamic; emergent; fractal; sensitive to initial conditions; and non-linear. A lively Q & A session completed the presentation.

Reported by Stephen Shucart

AKITA JALT meetings in 2014
picture album page 2 - the 5th meeting of 2014

July

Guest speakers: Bryan Hahn, Akita International University
Date: Saturday, July 26, 2014
Topic: Reading for Automaticity
Time: 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Place: Join-us

9 people attended

Chapter Report
(to be printed in The Language Teacher)
Guest speaker: Bryan Hahn

AKITA – July 2014 – Reading for Automaticity - Bryan Hahn, Akita International University. Many Japanese students of English do not comprehend what they read. As a result, it's important that they reach automaticity and a reading rate of 200 words per minute is necessary for full comprehension. This might explain why the majority of students have never read an English book from cover to cover. Students can be taught to read faster by reading in "chunks". Participants in the research project were students at Akita International University’s advanced level Reading. Students were given a pre-test, followed by weekly practice, and conclude with a post-test at the end of the term. It was hypothesized students' reading rates would be significantly higher during post-test results compared to pre-test results. A lively Q & A session completed the presentation.

Reported by Stephen Shucart

AKITA JALT meetings in 2014
picture album page 2 - the 6th meeting of 2014

September

Guest speakers: Carlos Budding, AIU & Cherie Brown, AIU
Date: Saturday, September 6, 2014
Topic: Using TED Talks to facilitate Large Group Discussions
Time: 10:00AM – 12:00PM
Place: Join-us

8 people attended

Chapter Report
(to be printed in The Language Teacher)
Guest speaker: Carlos Budding, AIU & Cherie Brown, AIU

AKITA -- September 2014 - Using TED Talks to facilitate Large Group Discussions -- Carlos Budding and Cherie Brown, Akita International University. The purpose of the presentation/workshop was to show participants a method for helping students increase motivation and focus their English ability, as well as develop lifelong skills. The presenters demonstrated the steps they use to connect TED videos to classroom curriculum. The presentation started with a series of questions to activate the schema of the participants. Following a description of the classroom curriculum, the presenters showed their state-of-the-art use of TED videos in their classrooms. They give their students a set of rubrics, so even when they get stuck, they can refer to these strategies to help make pertinent statements. The workshop participants experienced authentic discussion activities and the session concluded with a lively question and answer session.

Reported by Mamoru “Bobby” Takahashi

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