Event

Learner Autonomy through Newsletters

Sunday, February 8th, 2004, 1:30 PM - 5:00 PM

Speaker: Wade Carlton, Ibaraki University

In this presentation, Wade will show how he and his colleague, Joyce Cunningham, have taken a project for their 3rd year university students to a higher level by giving them more responsibility during all steps of the newsletter's production. The process includes:

1. Introducing newsletters
2. Selecting positions (reporters, article chiefs, editorial staff)
3. Brainstorming and selecting topics
4. Writing, revising and editing articles using three-draft process
5. Editorial staff crunches out final edition and sends to printer
6. Distribution of newsletter
7. Evaluation
8. Rewards

The newsletter is distributed to about 300 students and staff, so it is definitely a real task for a real purpose! Every teacher's situation is different (no budget for printing, less motivated students, etc.), so possibilities for adapting this project to other contexts will be discussed. During the presentation, sample newsletters will be given to attendees so they have an idea what the finished product can look like. In addition, attendees will have a chance to work together and make a practice newsletter. It's really easy! Come join us, whether it's your first JALT meeting or your hundredth.

Organization: Ibaraki Chapter of the Japan Association for Language Teaching (Ibaraki JALT)

Cost: JALT Members: free
Non-members: 500 yen

Venue: Ibaraki Christian University, Oomika

Location: Hitachi City, Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan

Contact Ibaraki JALT

Martin Pauly

Takayuki Nakanishi