Category: preview

  • Upcoming – December 14 – Bryan Hahn – Developing Automaticity in Reading: A Study of University Students in Japan

    Location: AIINA, ROOM 817
    Date December 14, 2014
    Time: From 1:30pm – 4:30pm(13:30-16:30)
    Cost: Free for JALT members. ¥1000 for non-members. ¥500 for full-time students.
    Contact: iwatejalt@hotmail.com phone/fax: 019-663-3132

    Abstract

    Many Japanese students learning English do not develop language skills naturally. This includes reading. Students often focus on too many reading tasks at the same time so they do not comprehend what they read. As a result, it’s important they reach automaticity in order to read at full comprehension. Dubin and Bycina (1991) state that reading at a rate of 200 words per minute is necessary for full comprehension. Not only will students begin to understand what they read, it makes the task of reading much more enjoyable.

    This might explain why the vast majority of my students self admit to never having read a book written in English from cover to cover. The act of reading becomes too laborious making them want to give up. Students can be taught to read faster by reading in “chunks”, or having the ability to see multiple words at the same time. This quantitative study will examine if teaching students to read in “chunks” will significantly improve their reading rate over the course of one semester. Participants are students at Akita International University enrolled in advanced level Reading. Students will be given a pre-test, followed by weekly practice of reading in chunks and timing their reading rate to determine progression, and conclude with a post-test at the end of the term. It is hypothesized students’ reading rates will be significantly higher during post-test results compared to pre-test results. Understanding the concept of automaticity will assist teachers in orchestrating a successful reading class.

    Brief Bio:

    Bryan Hahn

    Lecturer, AIU (Two years), EAP Dept.

    Also taught at unis in Korea and in the public and private sector in Los Angeles.

    B.A. Journalism

    12 years as a Reporter for various news networks

    M.A. TESL

    10 years teaching experience

  • Upcoming – October 26 – Brent Jones – Content-Based Instruction Workshop

    Here is the listing for our October event. It’s a bit early to be posting here, but I’m hoping it will give you time to make arrangements to attend the talk.

    Location: AIINA, ROOM 602
    Date October 26, 2014
    Time: From 1:30pm – 4:30pm(13:30-16:00)
    Cost: Free for JALT members. ¥1000 for non-members. ¥500
    for full-time students.
    Contact: iwatejalt@hotmail.com phone/fax: 019-663-3132

    Content-focused language teaching approaches such as Content-Based Instruction (CBI) and Content and Language Integrated Learning (CLIL) continue to gain both recognition and credibility. In this workshop, participants will be introduced to both the theory and practice of such approaches, with special emphasis on the affective learning domain. After looking at the various benefits and challenges of a content-focuses approach, the presenter will introduce an example of a theme-based CBI program that is currently being used in a tertiary-level English program for management course students in Japan. The aim here is to highlight for participants each step in the instructional design process as well as some of the various considerations at both the macro (curriculum) and micro (task) levels. Participants will then be challenged to consider the motivational merits of implementing a content-focused approach in their own teaching contexts, and be presented with a list of suggested readings for further exploration.

    Bio: Brent A. Jones has taught ESL/EFL in Hawaii and Japan since 1987, and has been involved in teacher training since 2002. He has worked in corporate training programs at Sony, Mitsui Trading, Hitachi Shipbuilding, Nestle, and Sumitomo Chemicals. He was formerly the coordinator of the Business English Program at Kobe Gakuin University, and is currently the Director of Language Programs for both the Management Course and Study Abroad Course at Konan University, Hirao School of Management. His major research interests are L2 learning motivation, extensive reading, curriculum development, instructional design, content-focused approaches to language instruction and creativity.

  • This Sunday – September 28 – Martin E. Pauly – Being Hired at National University Corporations

    Location: AIINA, ROOM 602
    Date September 28, 2014
    Time: From 1:30pm – 4:00pm(13:30-16:00)
    Cost: Free for JALT members. ¥1000 for non-members. ¥500
    for full-time students.
    Contact: iwatejalt@hotmail.com phone/fax: 019-663-3132

    Hi everyone. I hope you all had a great summer. I can feel the fall winds starting to make their approach and that means I should update you on Iwate JALT’s fall and winter schedule. Please stay tuned to our site for updates in the next few days. I will get things going with our meeting on September 28. We will be visited by Martin E. Pauly from the University of Tsukuba and he will be talking about getting hired at National University corporations.

    Abstract: Hiring of faculty is carried out in different ways throughout Japan at national university corporations (formerly national universities).  And this varies even within individual institutions.  The presenter will focus on 2 such institutions, relating his experience as a part timer at one and a Gaikokujin Kyouin at another.  As his field of view is quite narrow (i.e., until 2 years ago, zero experience in private institutions) the presenter will offer the workshop section as a time for participants to compare and contrast points of the talk with their own experience.

    国立大学法人の就職の実情

    教員の雇用は日本中の国立大学法人（以前の国立大学）において異なる方法で行われている。個々の大学内においてさえも異なる。発表者は、非常勤講師、外国人教員としての自信の経験に関連させて、２つの大学に焦点を合わせるつもりである。市立大学での勤務経験がないため、彼の視野は非常に限られているので、参加者の話の内容を自分自身の経験と比較する時間としてワークショップセケションを設けるつもりである。

    Bio: Martin E. Pauly was a professor (now Professor Emeritus) in the Research and Support Center on Higher Education for the Hearing and Visually Impaired, Tsukuba University of Technology.  He was a guide runner for blind athletes and faculty adviser of the Taichi Circle. He retired on March 31st, 2014.   He is presently teaching part time at the University of Tsukuba.

    In this next few days, I will preview our October, December, January and February meetings as well. Also, don’t forget about the Nation JALT meeting Tsuka this year. Click on the logo on the right for more info.

    I hope to see you all in September.