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.