The 2010 JALT Hokkaido Conference

JALT Hokkaido Conference: Sunday September 26

Location: Hokusei Gakuen University, Sapporo

Theme: Simplify, simplify -- Getting more from less in the classroom

(see Mashcollaboration as well)

Keynote Speakers:

  • Scott Thornbury
  • Mike Bostwick

 

Scott Thornbury

Keynote: Grammar or speaking -- or both?

Can you learn to speak without grammar? Can you learn grammar without speaking? Is there a special grammar of speech? What’s the best way to learn speaking? In this presentation I will address these questions, with specific reference to fluency, accuracy and (syntactic and lexical) complexity, including a look at the way these factors might be quantified. I’ll also propose an instructional model for the teaching of speaking, and demonstrate ways that speaking and grammar can be integrated.
 
Workshop: Teaching unplugged

Teachers, I will argue, could learn a lesson from the Dogme 95 group of film makers, who have pledged to rid film-making of an obsessive concern for technique and to rehabilitate a cinema which foregrounds the story, and the inner life of the characters. In a similar spirit, I will be putting the case for what is called "a pedagogy of bare essentials": one in which dependence on imported materials is reduced, and in which the learners’ texts and meanings  are foregrounded. I will be looking at practical ways of achieving these goals.
 
Scott Thornbury will offer a plenary talk as well as a workshop. He is really excited to get up to Hokkaido. It’s a lucky opportunity to re-connect with friends made at JALT 2009 in Shizuoka, as well as a great chance to make new friends.

 

Mike Bostwick

Keynote: Learning Through Another Language: Content-based Foreign Language Instruction
 

The presentation will look at major trend in education around the world - the integration of the academic curriculum and foreign language learning - and look at its application in the Japanese context. I hope to provide practical insights into the what, why and how of content-based instruction and provide examples of how the fusion of content and language can transform a school. 

Bio: Mike Bostwick currently serves as Executive Director of the English Immersion Program K-12 at Katoh Gakuen and has directed the development of the program from its beginning in 1992. He also serves as Vice Principal of Gyoshu Junior & Senior High School. During his 30 years of experience he has taught at almost every level (K - college) in both the USA and Japan. He earned his doctorate in Applied Linguistics from Temple University, Japan. Since the immersion program’s inception he has spoken and published widely on immersion education and been active in promoting research of immersion education and immersion teacher training in Japan. 


マイク・ボストウィックは、１９９２年の加藤学園英語イマージョンプログラム開設から現在に至り、このプログラム発展のために指揮をとっています。現在は、加藤学園暁秀幼稚園から加藤学園暁秀高校までの英語イマージョンプログラムディレクターとして、かつ、初等学校の教頭を務めています。過去30年間の教師経験の中で、アメリカ、日本の両国で、さまざまな学年(幼稚園から大学まで）を教えてきました。 テンプル大学の日本校にて、言語学博士号を取得しました。現在は、日本でイマージョン教師の育成そしてイマージョン教育の研究を積極的に促進しています。イマージョンプログラム開設以来、イマージョン教育について多くの講演をし、そして出版してきました。以下が最近出版された印刷物になります。