February 2013 Meeting

February

Date and Time:  Sunday, 17 February 2013

Schedule:

From 9.40  Registration

9.50-10.20 Jim Matchett (retiring JALT Toyohashi President) talked about using drama activities


10.30-12.00  Morning Presentation


Speakers:  Anthony Robins, Misako Yamamoto, Ayako Nitta and Nami Tanahashi (Aichi University of Education)


Presentation: A Taste of Teaching more than 7,000 kilometers from home
Summer 2012 saw the first opportunity for AUE students to experience life teaching and observing classes in Australian schools.  Supported by the Japanese Ministry of Education, 21 students who intend to be English teachers spent three weeks in primary or secondary schools in Queensland and Victoria.  

Anthony described the organization and aims of the project, as well as the use of 'wikis' to share educational experiences while in Australia.  In addition, he considered developments for the future.  Ayako, Misako and Nami were all at different schools and reflected on their experiences and considered the benefits of exposure to a different educational environment for teacher trainees.

Misako made her presentation in a poster style:



Participants shared their opinions in groups on issues which were raised:


Bios:  Anthony has worked in Britain, Greece and Japan. For the last thirteen years, he has been teaching in the International Cultural Studies course at Aichi University of Education.  Misako and Nami are seniors in the same course, while Ayako is an English Education major.  All three will start teaching from April.


We enjoyed lunch before the afternoon activities

2.00-4.00  Afternoon Presentation

Speaker:  Sue Sullivan (Aichi University)

Presentation: Introducing concrete writing methods to usher in abstract thought

 

Most of the major art-avant garde movements of last century had a writing component. “Exquisite Corpse”, Automatic Writing, Events, Cut-ups, Shape poems and “Words in Freedom”. Even though these sound abstract, the writing methods were incredibly concrete and students can utilise them to gain confidence, and to encourage their own understanding of histories and philosophies which still influence our own.

 

Bio: Susan Laura Sullivan is a teacher of Comparative Culture at Aichi University. She holds a Masters in TESOL and one in Creative Arts (Creative Writing). She is particularly interested in getting students to maximize their English use through creative projects.


Find out about April's Presentation

Find out about our last meeting in December