Event

The Power of Stories to Teach and Motivate

Saturday, April 21st, 2007, 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Speaker: Jarrett Dave, Ragan Jr.

Story telling has been the preferred method of teaching since ancient times. It is still used in many societies as a way to help people understand the world. From the stories we hear and tell we learn right and wrong, and what is deemed useful and wasteful. In socio-cultural terms we construct our identity along with others in our society through the stories we tell. In neuroscience terms stories help us make patterns of neurons in our brains that are used to shape and control our behaviors, thoughts and beliefs about what is possible and impossible for ourselves and for our society.

The presenter would like to discuss the effectiveness of motivational stories in the language classroom as both a tool for language learning and for enhancing learning strategies, thus improving the learners?f motivation for language acquisition. He will share one or two of his favorite motivational stories that he uses to help himself and his students construct a more useful way of looking at and hopefully tackling the world of learning English specifically and life in general. The participants will then be asked to share their successful motivational stories in pairs or small groups. I hope the participants will go away with a better appreciation of the power of stories to both teach language, and enhance motivation and practical learning skills.

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

Cost: JALT Members: free
Non-members: 1,000 yen for non-members, 500 yen for students

Venue: Yugakusha

Location: Akita City, Akita Prefecture, Japan

Contact Akita JALT

Suzuki Takeshi

Work phone: 0184-22-1562