Event

What can be the goals of ELT in Japan?: Sharing and exploring some possibilities

Sunday, September 18th, 2011, 2:00 PM - 5:30 PM

Speaker: Misako Tajima

Hot debates with regard to the goals of ELT have never ceased in Japan. Since people here tend to have either strong desires or regrets for English, the general public as well as scholars and practitioners in that academic field have provided so many different perspectives on the 'why and how'� of ELT in Japan. For example, some stress that much more focus should be put on actual communication, whereas others disagree with the idea, arguing that it is too pragmatic. Some maintain that English should be considered as one of the school subjects while others retort that the view may result in an exam-oriented education. In this workshop, the presenter will introduce several popular discourses as to the goals of ELT in Japan and the theoretical paradigms on which they rely. The introduction will be followed by a discussion where participants can share their thoughts with one another, making special reference to their own ELT and ELL experiences. The discussion will aim not so much to set one single goal of ELT in Japan as to explore plural possibilities.

Note: This event will be held twice today:

• 9:30 AM - 12:00 PM in Toyohashi
• 2:00 PM - 5:30 PM in Hamamatsu

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

Cost: please see here for details

Venue: Hamamatsu ZaZaCity Palette 5F

Location: Hamamatsu City, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan

Contact Hamamatsu JALT

Dan Frost

Work phone: 053-460-7956
Mobile phone: 090-9891-4844