Author: jasohill

  • MEES Conference Shuttle Information Here

    FREE SHUTTLE VAN INFORMATION
    (reserve your spot!)

    We have a shuttle van arrangement with Kosan Taxi for free transport between the conference venue (Hachinohe Gakuin University) and points downtown and the two major train stations in Hachinohe. The times are convenient (within 30 minutes) for north and southbound shinkansens both before and after the conference. The schedule and pickup / drop-off schedule is posted below.

    As passenger space in each van is limited, we need an estimate of how many plan on riding the shuttle vans in advance (both to and / or from the conference). Those who have reserved a place will have priority, and if we run out of space ,those without advanced reservations will have to find their own transportation.

    Please be aware that the conference venue is roughly a 30-minute (direct) ride from Hachinohe station, and access is very limited via public bus and that there are no local train stations nearby. If you are not coming to the venue by car, our shuttle van service or hiring a taxi on your own will be the only convenient ways to get here.

    So, please let us know (as a comment to this post or direct mail to Greg) if you intend on riding the shuttle van (and if you will ride coming and / or going back).

    Thanks !!

    Here is the shuttle schedule we have arranged:
    =====================
    Sunday, May 29th
    (heading to conference venue)
    8:45am – Hachinohe Station (shinkansen) – shuttle bus DEPARTS from outside of the EAST (Main, front) EXIT (東口)
    ~9:05am – Hon-Hachinohe Station (local train / bus transfer) – bus pick up outside of the WEST EXIT (西口)
    ~9:15am – Mikka-machi (downtown main shopping street, in front of Sakurano Dept. Store)
    ~9:40am – Bus arrives at Hachinohe Gakuin University (conference sessions start from 10am)
    ======================
    (returning to downtown / stations after conference)
    16:45 – Bus leaves Hachinohe Gakuin University
    ~17:05 – Bus arrives Mikka-machi (downtown main shopping street, in front of Sakurano Dept. Store)
    ~17.20 – Bus arrives at Hon-Hachinohe Station (local train/ bus transfer)
    ~17:45 – Bus arrives at Hachinohe Station (shinkansen)

  • MEES – 2016 Pre-Conference Dinner and Bento Information

    BENTO LUNCH BOX ORDERS

    We would like to start taking orders for prepared Bento lunch boxes for the conference. They will be 500 yen and prepared by our university’s own cafe staff. I have attached a photo of last years bento. Unfortunately, vegetarian bentos are not available.
    Please request your bento order with us by WEDNESDAY, MAY 25th.

    Be advised that there are no convenience stores / restaurants within walking distance of our campus, so please remember to bring something with you to eat if you don’t plan on purchasing a bento lunch. In this case, we recommend that you bring lunch with you on your way here in the morning so you don’t have to drive around during the hour lunch break.

    There are drink vending machines on campus.

    Also, complimentary coffee, tea, and snack food will be made available throughout the day.

     13147546_1685137585085595_2175150570606072006_o

    PRE-CONFERENCE INFORMAL DINNER PARTY / NETWORKING OPPORTUNITY

    Come and join us for a fun and relaxing dinner the Saturday evening before the MEES conference ! Make new friends and share ideas over some drinks & eats! Details are listed below, but we do ask that those planning to join us PLEASE LET US KNOW BY WEDNESDAY, MAY 25th so that we can confirm numbers with the restaurant (please also let us know if you prefer vegetarian dishes). Its the same spot for those who joined us last year.

    Thanks & hope to see you all there !!

    Date: Saturday, May 28.
    Time: 6:00pm~
    Place: La Plaza-tei, Hachinohe (らぷらざ亭 八戸) (Izakaya-style restaurant that specializes in local dishes !)
    Address: 13 Muika-machi, Hachinohe
    Fee: ¥2,500 (drinks not included) Vegetarian dishes are available for those that request in advance.
    Here is a link to restaurant home page with a google map:

    http://ra-plazatei.com/map.html

  • MEES – 2016 PRESENTER LINEUP AND CONFERENCE SCHEDULE

    Hello everyone !
    Just a little over a month to go before the 2016 MEES conference ! We want to thank everyone who submitted presentation proposals this year. We are proud to announce our full day’s lineup of seven presentations for Sunday, May 29th!

    Oxford University Press, Cambridge University Press, and Xreading.comwill also be at the conference to assist you with their great teaching resources and materials!

    Please check out the full conference schedule below. The lineup and full presentation descriptions are available at the MEES 2016 page.

    Conference Schedule

    09:00 – 10:00 Registration

    10:00 – 10:10 Opening Comments

    10:10 – 11:05 Plenary Session – Lesley Ito (Big Bow English Lab, Nagoya) ‘Implementing Developmentally Appropriate Strategies for Young Learners in EFL’

    11:15 – 11:55 Session 1 – Colin Mitchell (James English School, Hirosaki) ‘Motivation and Progression’

    12:05 – 12:30 Session 2 – Rob Peacock (Teacher Trainer, Oxford University Press) ‘Six Skills Study for Confident Communication with Stretch’

    12:30 – 13:30 Lunch Break (bento available on site)

    13:30 – 13:55 Session 3 – Riaz Donaldson (Cambridge University Press) ‘Bringing Academic English to a Broader Audience with Unlock’

    14:05 -14:30 Session 4 – Paul Goldberg (Xreading.com) ‘The Benefits of Doing Extensive Reading Online with Xreading’

    14:40 – 15:20 Session 5 – Jason Hill (Hachimantai City BOE, Iwate) and Kathryn Akasaka (English Instructor in Iwate Prefecture) ‘Using Popular Culture to Create Interesting English Classes’

    15:30 – 16:10 Session 6 – Greg Anthony (Hachinohe Gakuin University) ‘All Fun and Games? Affecting Appropriate EFL Motivation in Young Learners’

    16:10 – 16:20 Closing Comments

     

    I hope to see you all there!