Event

I've Got a Problem

Sunday, June 29th, 2003, 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Speaker: John Fanselow, Teachers College Columbia University

While most would agree that memorizing words and patterns is necessary for language learning, other mental activities are necessary as well. Most of the tasks in textbooks, however, tend to emphasize activities or tasks that require memory alone. The purpose of this workshop is to experience ways to decrease the number of times students say "Sorry, I can't remember." and increase the times they make students such as "I think that she was sad" or "I am not sure but I would guess that 'kiwi' refers to something we eat in that sign since the sign is in a store that sells fruit." Said another way, if you participate in the workshop, you will learn ways to alter activities in textbooks that require only memorization so learners have opportunities to process language and use problem-solving skills as well. The speaker hopes that in addition, participants will see that the common expression "I've got a problem" has the potential for being a positive statement rather than a negative statement. If we do not have problems to seek solutions to, learning can be hindered. Note: Participants are asked to bring textbooks they are using in class. About the speaker: Professor Emeritus John Fanselow retired as Professor from the New York-based Columbia University Teachers College Program and as Director of the Japan-based MA Program in TESOL in 1998. He has a special interest in observation and supervision of language teachers, breaking classroom rules as a means of generating a wide range of classroom behaviors, and reading.

Organization: Teachers College Columbia University Japan (TC Columbia)

Cost: free (but please pre-register)

Venue: Teacher's College, Columbia University Japan, Mitsui Seimei Bldg. 4F, 2-21-2 Misaki-cho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo (1 min. walk from the JR Suido-bashi Station)

Location: Tokyo, Tokyo Metropolis, Japan

Contact TC Columbia

Teachers College Columbia University Japan Tokyo Office

Work phone: 03-3221-9771