• Event – Emily MacFarlane: Proven Techniques for Building EFL Speaking Fluency

    Date and Time: December 14 @ 1:30 PM – 4:00 PM

    Place: AIINA 1:30pm to 4pm.  Room 817.

    Abstract: This workshop equips EFL teachers with five research-backed techniques to dramatically improve students’ speaking fluency through structured practice and strategic communication training. The session will also introduce recent fluency research findings from Tohoku University examining an online fluency tool for first-year university EFL students. This research explores the impact of filler words on speech rate, the effect of repeated tool usage on fluency improvement, and student perceptions of both the online tool and their own fluency development. Designed for Japanese EFL contexts, the workshop addresses common challenges including students’ silent pauses, accuracy obsession, and unnatural rhythm patterns. Teachers experience each technique firsthand before learning practical implementation strategies, classroom troubleshooting, and fluency-focused assessment methods. Participants will leave with concrete tools to transform hesitant speakers into confident communicators.

    Teaser: Transform your students from hesitant speakers into confident communicators! Learn five research-backed techniques including 1-minute speeches, 4-3-2 activities, and shadowing practice. Experience each method yourself for immediate classroom implementation. Perfect for all EFL levels.

    Bio: Emily MacFarlane is an experienced English language educator who teaches at various universities in Sendai.  Her most recent research is on improving speaking fluency in Japanese university students.

  • Event – Bringing the JALT Conference Home

    November 16 @ 1:30 PM – 4:00 PM

    Date: November 16, 2025 (Sunday)

    Time: 1:30pm to 4:30pm

    Location: AIINA – Room 807

    JALT Conference presentations for those who could not attend

    Presenters will be:

    Jim Smiley: Developing Argument Structure in Japanese L2 Writers

    Jacob Petersen: Enhancing Intercultural Competence and English learning through COIL: Insights from a Japanese-Norwegian pilot study

  • TILES 2025

    TILES 2025: Share your Best Ideas!

    Date: Oct. 4, 2025 (Saturday)

    Place: Hirosaki Gakuin University (13-1 Minoricho, Hirosaki, Aomori 036-8577)

    Time: 13:00 ~ 17:00 (Reg. 12:30 – 13:00) (Dinner from 17:30)

    If you are attending and would like to attend the dinner as well, please let us know here:

    https://forms.gle/PxrzRWK4UrhDzpts6⁩

    TILES 2025 will be a My Share-style event with chances for you to share your best ideas for classroom activities at all levels. We’d like all attendees to share something that worked well for them in the classroom or in teaching (can be related to preparation, classroom, student support / care, or anything). After people are done sharing, we’d also like to have an “unconference” session where we share questions / challenges / concerns we have and help one another solve them or work towards a solution. TILES this year will hopefully be a place for communal sharing and growth for all!.