Event

Danger Learning: Using Conflict Resolution and Mediation Techniques to Facilitate Language Learning

Saturday, June 18th, 2011, 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Speaker: Chris Stillwell

There is a natural fit between the fields of English language teaching and conflict resolution, for both involve a pursuit of enhanced skills by which to use and understand language effectively. A language course that incorporates conflict resolution techniques can promote an alternative view of conflict as a potential opportunity for enhanced communication and understanding, with material that may have great power to stimulate interest and engage higher order thinking as learners use language not for its own sake but rather to communicate, negotiate, and mediate. Discussion will include procedures for the analysis of which language structures are appropriate in which contexts, sample tasks that apply content knowledge to the analysis of disagreements found in the news, stories, and movies; and methods for helping students learn to conduct mediations for themselves. Attention will also be paid to ways in which the teacher's manner of beginning the class, of asking questions, and of dealing with the responses can all serve as models of good mediation practices, such that the medium of instruction serves equally well as the message. More information on this meeting will be available at our website, or at our Nagasaki JALT and Friends Facebook Group, or simply sign up for our monthly e-mail newsletter.

P.S. 2 for 1 offer: bring a first timer to a meeting, and each of you pays Y500.

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

Cost: JALT Members: free
Non-members: 1000 yen

Venue: Dejima Koryu Kaikan, 4F (this is the large white building next to Dejima Wharf and Nagasaki Prefectural Art Museum; take #5 streetcar to Shiminbyoinmae stop, or take #1 streetcar to Dejima stop.)

Location: Nagasaki City, Nagasaki Prefecture, Japan

Contact Nagasaki JALT

Luc Roberge