Dear Lifelong Language Learning SIG Members & Other Interested Parties,
We are thrilled to invite you to the ETJ (English Teachers of Japan) event in Tokyo on February 3rd and February 4th at Otsuma Women’s University. The event includes a series of presentations and forums hosted by JALT’s Lifelong Language Learning (LLL) Special Interest Group and the Accessibility in Language Learning (ALL) Special Interest Group. The LLL and ALL SIGs are holding their joint Mini Conferences at this Expo.
To view the overall schedule of the entire ETJ Expo offerings (with the LLL and ALL-affiliated presentations clearly marked), refer to these PDFs, which correspond to each day of the conference Saturday, Feb. 3rd and Sunday, Feb. 4th.
Saturday schedule
https://ltprofessionals.com/wp-content/uploads/Tokyo-Schedule-Saturday-4.pdf
Sunday schedule
https://ltprofessionals.com/wp-content/uploads/Tokyo-Schedule-Sunday-4.pdf
This event promises to be an important platform for sharing ideas, strategies, and experiences in making language learning more accessible and sustainable throughout the life span. Whether you are an experienced teacher or just starting out in the profession, your participation will contribute enormously to this engaging dialogue.
See the abstracts below to get a better idea of what the presentations in the ALL and LLL stream of the conference will be focused on.
Looking forward to your presence at this enlightening and transformative event!
Clear skies,
Joseph Dias
Fee
ETJ members: 500 yen each day
Non-members: 1,000 yen each day
Non-members can join ETJ free of charge on the day of the Expo or online at:
—— SATURDAY PRESENTATIONS (all in Room 525)——
Be the Key
11:15-12:00 Saturday, Feb. 3, 2024
5th Floor, Room 525
Catherine Takasugi
Based on current doctoral research focused on understanding families’ experiences of youth refusing to attend school in Japan. When biethnic youth in Japan refuse to go to school there are an array of factors contributing to the absences. Neurodiversity has a significant impact on school attendance. Cultural elements also contribute in both negative and positive ways in terms of framing the experience and finding solutions. In this brief presentation I will share what I have learned from parents of school refusers regarding that key element in getting kids back to school. A teacher, a parent, a friend, or a sport can make all the difference for a family who is experiencing school refusal. Come learn how you can be that key!
An analysis of teacher’s needs in supporting returnees
12:30 PM – 1:15 PM, Saturday Feb. 3, 2024
5th Floor, Room 525
Daichi Koga
As Japan becomes more international, the number of returnee students is increasing. What challenges do Japanese elementary and high school teachers face in supporting returnee students? This presentation will highlight the needs, challenges and experiences of both students and teachers struggling with accommodation and integration into the Japanese school system.
Diverse ways of meeting diverse needs
2:15-3:00, Saturday Feb. 3, 2024
5th Floor, Room 525
Andrew Reimann, Ryota Moriya, Natsuki Suzuki, Catherine Takasugi, Mike Yap
Japanese schools are struggling to catch up to their western counterparts by providing an array of accommodations for students with various developmental, emotional, and psychological issues, but teachers are often still left to fend for themselves. This roundtable will show teachers how they might accommodate to more diverse student bodies.
Building a rainbow between students, methods and materials
4:45-5:30 Saturday, Feb. 3, 2024
5th Floor, Room 525
Natsuki Suzuki, Rinka Ishino, Mokuren Yokozeki
Presenters will discuss activities and materials they use to reach, inspire and motivate different learners. By spending time outside class, getting to know students, the presenters demonstrate how to creatively customize methods to best support learners, highlighting challenges, methods and outcomes in elementary, junior and senior high schools.
—— SUNDAY PRESENTATIONS ——
Activities to foster a lifelong learning approach to food culture
11:15 AM – 12:00 PM, Sunday, Feb. 4, 2024
5th Floor, Room 525
Joseph Dias
The presenter will introduce activities that have been developed over a 10-year period for a CLIL course that helps students better appreciate food by considering global issues in the context of World Food Day, and by looking at cultural aspects through poems, restaurant reviews, cookbooks, and award-winning food blogs.
Accommodations for Students with Specific Learning Difficulties
12:30 PM – 1:15 PM, Sunday, Feb. 4, 2024
3rd floor, Room 335
Michael Y. Yap
It’s the beginning of the school term. Your materials are ready, activities prepared and lesson ready-to-go. Then you hear, “Some students have a disability. Please support them.” What now? Learn the different types of accommodation that can be used in teaching, and supporting language learners with diverse needs.
Language teacher wellbeing: How we can enhance it
4:45 PM – 5:30 PM, Sunday, Feb. 4, 2024
5th Floor, Room 525
Chiyuki Yanase
The advancement of technology, global environmental changes, and the ongoing pandemic have added extra stress and responsibilities to language teachers. This presentation delves into the critical topic of language teacher wellbeing, examining its impact on educators and students. It explores activities and strategies to enhance teacher wellbeing by highlighting practical approaches to promoting mental, physical, and emotional health.
Photographs of the routes from three nearby stations
From Ichigaya
https://ltprofessionals.com/wp-content/uploads/Ichigaya-Expo-Route-Photos-1.pdf
From Hanzomon
https://ltprofessionals.com/wp-content/uploads/Hanzomon-Expo-Route-Photos.pdf
From Kudanshita
https://ltprofessionals.com/wp-content/uploads/Kudanshita-Expo-Route-Photos.pdf
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You are welcome to attend for the whole of the Expo or just drop in for a while. Each presentation lasts 45 minutes and is independent from the other presentations, so you can come and go as you please.
Here is some information you may find helpful:
What to do when you arrive
Please go to the registration desk on the 3rd floor of building G.
Address
Building G, Otsuma Women’s University, Chiyoda Campus, 12 Sanban-cho,, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 102-8357
Directions
https://ltprofessionals.com/wp-content/uploads/Otsuma-directions.pdf
Google maps link