The Speech, Drama, and Debate SIG, in cooperation with the Critical Thinking SIG, by invitation from the Hiroshima Chapter and supported by Oxford University Press, are proud to present the Hiroshima 2013 Mini-Conference & Book Fair, Sunday, December 1, at the Hiroshima YMCA. The theme is “Creativity and Collaboration,” with guest speaker, noted author and engaging presenter, Ken Wilson. For more details, see <sites.google.com/site/speechdramaanddebatepublicsite/hot-news/sddconferencehiroshimadec1>
PanSIG2014 in Miyazaki, 10-11 May, 2014
The 13th Annual PanSIG conference will be held at Miyazaki Municipal University <miyazaki-mu.ac.jp> on 10-11 May, 2014. If you'd like to be part of the conference team, please contact Hugh Nicoll or Joe Tomei at <pansig2014@gmail.com>.
BILINGUALISM (BILING)
Raising Bilingual Children in Japan
Join featured speaker Mary Nobuoka (coordinator of Bilingualism SIG) for an introductory talk on the benefits and challenges of raising bilingual children in Japan. Also hear Ibaraki Chapter members share their experiences.
Sunday, December 8 (13:00-17:30), hosted by Ibaraki JALT at Ibaraki University in Mito. (Followed by a Bonenkai at a nearby restaurant.)
For more information visit: <www.bsig.org>
BUSINESS ENGLISH (BUS ENG)
The JALT Business English SIG seeks to develop the discipline of teaching English, conducive to participation in the world business community. We aim to provide instructors in this field with a means of collaborating and sharing best teaching practices.
JALT Business English SIG は、世界のビジネス界に通用する英語教育の発展を目的に持ち、結成されました。連携体制を組み、最善の教育方法を共有することにより、英語教育に携わるインストラクターの皆様のお手伝いを致します。
COMPUTER ASSISTED LANGUAGE LEARNING (CALL)
The CALL SIG is happy to announce it is sponsoring Digital Mobile Language Learning. DMLL is more than a publication, it is a community focused on practical issues, with a blog, a repository of papers, and a quarterly electronic publication in the works. Still in its infancy, with a small group of 6 authors and editors, DMLL will help you use tech for learning and teaching languages. Come visit us at <dmll.jaltcall.org>, and after a little reading get involved. Start with a blog post, write a paper or help edit the quarterly.
COLLEGE & UNIVERSITY EDUCATORS (CUE)
This year CUE has celebrated its 20th anniversary by organizing various professional events from Hokkaido to Kyushu. These events included workshops by Chris Casanave, Paul Nation and Penny Ur as well is co-sponsored ESP and Vocabulary Symposiums. The last event in 2013 will help make you just a little more ʽtech-savvyʼ. On December 1, CUE is sponsoring Technology Workshop at Keisen University. There will be free practical hands-on technology workshops by Edo Forsythe, Daniel Beck and Germain Mesureur. For this and other upcoming events, visit our website: <jaltcue-sig.org/events>. CUE officers would like to thank each and all of its members for their support and involvement in SIG-related activities. Please feel free to contact us at <jaltcue-sig.org/officers> for further information about our events and activities. We look forward to hearing from you and seeing you soon at one of our events!
CRITICAL THINKING (CT)
JALT Hiroshima Chapter has been kind enough to host a series of presentations on critical thinking at their annual mini-conference. It promises to be an exciting event to close out the year in professional development and promotion of critical thinking skills in the language classroom. This year's event will be held at the Hiroshima YMCA on Sunday, December 1, 2013. Visit their website at <hiroshima-jalt.org> for more information. We hope to see you there!
Please consider writing for a future issue of CT Scan. Full research article: 1,500-3,000 words, detailing your research related to critical thinking in language education. Articles that connect theory to classroom practice are encouraged. Classroom reflections: 500-2,000 words, detailing classroom activities that have been used to teach or encourage critical thinking among language learners. Commentary: 500-2,000 words, detailing personal observations meant to provoke discussion within our membership regarding critical thinking in language education. All submissions are welcome at <ctscan.editor@gmail.com>. We recommend adhering to JALT Journal style guidelines for your submission. Please refer to < jalt-publications.org/downloads/jaltstyle.pdf> for guidance.
EXTENSIVE READING (ER)
The JALT ER SIG exists to help promote Extensive Reading (ER) in Japan. Through our website, biannual newsletter Extensive Reading in Japan, online Journal of Extensive Reading, regular e-newsletter, grant programs and presentations throughout Japan we aim to help teachers set up and make the most of their ER programs. For more details and resources, please visit <ersig.org>.
The ER Seminar at Your School:
Interested in hosting a great Extensive Reading event? Will your location support about a dozen concurrent presentations all day on a Sunday, or perhaps Saturday and Sunday? Does it have a large meeting hall suitable for plenary sessions and another large area well suited to a materials exhibition? Are you willing to be the site chair? If so, you have got the basic requirements covered. If you are interested in potentially hosting the seminar, please contact <er@jalt.org> for more information.
FRAMEWORK & LANGUAGE PORTFOLIO (FLP)
This SIG discusses the CEFR,ELP, other similar frameworks, and their relevance for Japan. There is an emphasis on developing materials to support educators who would like to use these pedagogic frameworks. The SIG holds periodical seminars focusing on classroom use of the CEFR, among other things. Please refer to <sites.google.com/site/flpsig/home> and <flpsig@gmail.com> for more information, including information about the “FLP SIG Kaken Project”, “Can do statements language education in Japan and beyond” publication and download of the bilingual“Language Portfolio for Japanese University”.
About the The FLP SIG Kaken Project 2012-2014:
Development of EAP Textbooks based on the CEFR and Learner/Teacher Autonomy Support Tools
The principal purpose of this research is to develop English language integrated skills textbooks that suitably adapt and apply the principles and practices of the CEFR for the higher education context in Japan. Furthermore, in order to support learner and teacher autonomy and to support the classroom implementation of the text, we will aim to develop supplemental learning materials such as a language portfolio, and resources informed by research on autonomy. You can find more information about related events and the project at <tinyurl.com/FLPKaken>.
The plan for the immediate future is as follows: Once the basic details have been decided, we plan to make project teams to create two course books, with publication planned for April 2014. If you would like more information, or have any questions, please contact <flpsig@gmail.com>
GENDER AWARENESS IN LANGUAGE EDUCATION (GALE)
We have an ongoing call for papers for our academic journal, The Journal and Proceedings of the Gender Awareness in Language Education Special Interest Group of JALT (or The GALE Journal). Visit our website at <gale-sig.org> or contact us for more details. Please e-mail <coordinator@gale-sig.org> for any GALE related inquiries.
GLOBAL ISSUES IN LANGUAGE EDUCATION (GILE)
GILE aims to promote global awareness, international understanding, and action to solve world problems through content-based language teaching, drawing primarily from the fields of global education, peace education, environmental education, and human rights education. The SIG produces a quarterly newsletter, organizes presentations for local, national, and international conferences, and maintains contacts with groups ranging from Amnesty International to Educators for Social Responsibility to UNESCO. Contact us for a sample newsletter or for more information about the SIG's work in “teaching for a better world.” visit <gilesig.org>, our Facebook page or contact Kip Cates <kcates@rstu.jp>.
JAPANESE AS A SECOND LANGUAGE
論文・記事大募集：JALT日本語教育学会では日本語教育論集の発行を計画しています。研究報告、学会発表報告論文、日本語教授・学習法に関する論文、ブック・レビューなど募集。日本語研究者、指導者、学習者の皆様応募お願いします。詳細は、Megumi Kawate-Mierzejewska ＜megumik@temple.edu＞まで。
*Call for Papers: JALT Journal of Japanese Language Education. Japanese as a second language researchers, teachers and learners are invited to submit articles, research reports, essays, and reviews. Please visit our website: <jalt.org/jsl>.
JUNIOR & SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL
The JSHS SIG is now on Facebook! If you are a JSHS SIG member, then come and check out our exclusive group at <facebook.com/groups/jshsig>. Whether you want to ask a question, help someone out or just share something, this is the place for junior and senior high school teachers to be. We also have a public page at <www.facebook.com/JSHSSIG> so anyone can have a look, click ‘like’ and our news will be your news! Everybody is welcome!
Show us what you've got! This year’s SIG Forum at the JALT2013 Conference offers 90 minutes of shares from junior/senior high school teachers, for junior/senior high school teachers! With so many shares from people in your field, we can almost guarantee something of interest to everybody. Time will be made at the end of the Forum for participant and presenter group discussion so please join us if you are free. We look forward to seeing you in October!
LEARNER DEVELOPMENT (LD)
JALT Learner Development SIG News for the TLT (Nov/Dec issue)
学習者ディベロプメント研究部会(LD SIG)は、教室の内外での学びに関するテーマの中でも特にオートノミーのある学習とティーチングを発展させるための実践を探求・研究することに関心のある約200 名が組織する、活発でフレンドリーな研究部会です。
私たちは、多様な教育現場でご活躍の皆様の参加を歓迎しています。小学校、中学校、高校、通信教育、語学学校、大学で指導されている皆様、そして英語以外の言語を教えている教師の皆様も、どうぞご参加ください <ld-sig.org>。
11月23～24日には、東京の学習院大学において、Exploring Learner Development: Practices, Pedagogies, Puzzles and Researchという2日間の学会を主催します。この特別なLD SIG20周年記念大会は生徒、教師、研究者、NGOがあらゆる形の（言語）教育における学習者ディベロプメントおよび学習者オートノミーについての様々な課題に共に取り組み、探究する場となる予定です。ぜひご参加ください。詳しい情報については、<ldsigconference2013.org>をご覧ください。
The Learner Development SIG is a lively and friendly network of around 200 members who are interested in exploring and researching practices that help develop autonomous learning and teaching, among other issues to do with learning inside and outside the classroom. We welcome the participation of teachers from diverse teaching contexts, including elementary school, junior high school, senior high school, distance learning, language school, university settings, and teachers teaching languages other than English. For more information please visit: <ld-sig.org>.
On November 23-24, the SIG will be hosting a two-day conference, Exploring Learner Development: Practices, Pedagogies, Puzzles and Research, at Gakushuin University, Tokyo. Please join us for this special 20th anniversary event in which students, teachers, researchers and NGOs will explore together a wide and challenging range of issues to do with learner development and learner autonomy in formal and non-formal (language) education. For more information please visit: <ldsigconference2013.org>
LIFELONG LANGUAGE LEARNING (LLL)
We would like to thank the speakers at our well-attended forum at JALT 2013: Lifelong Language Learning & Community Involvement.
Andrew Reimann, Associate Professor in the Faculty of International Studies, Utsunomiya University, described how critical incidents could be used to build communication skills and a sense of curiosity among students, enabling them to extend their inquiry and interests out into the community. Next, Joseph Poulshock, Professor at Tokyo Christian University, introduced ideas and activities that can help learners and teachers create the "grammar of story" in the books they read; the films they see; and in the goals, dreams, and ambitions they have for life. Finally, Joseph Dias, Professor at Aoyama Gakuin University, demonstrated how carefully chosen guest speakers in ESL/EFL classes can provide a bridge to the community and how the most can be made of such events through engaging preparatory activities, readings, and tasks. Speakers from such organizations as M.ANidecins du Monde, Second Harvest Japan and the Tokyo English Life Line, as well as a film director and musician, were used as examples.
The LLL-SIG invites those teaching languages to young, middle-aged, and older adults to share information through our website <jalt.org/lifelong/index.html>, newsletter, at various SIG conferences and events (including PanSIG), and at the JALT National Conference, where an annual LLL-SIG forum is held. We also conduct a Mini Conference every autumn. This year's Mini Conference is scheduled for the first weekend in November, 2-3, in Tokyo at Kanda Gaigo Gakuin.
Our Facebook page can be accessed at <facebook.com/jaltLLL>. As of this writing, we have nearly 179 likes and we always welcome more. If you "like" us, you will be able to find out about not only our SIG.’s events, but you can also get tips about lifelong language learning and teaching, and find out about opportunities and events in the community that stretch your capabilities and broaden your horizons, including volunteering possibilities.
LITERATURE IN LANGUAGE TEACHING (LiLT)
LiLT SIG members engage with literature through film, creative writing, poetry, the short story, classic literature, and world literature as well as literature in translation. We welcome interest from those working in cultural studies, politics through literature, language learning and applications of literary texts in different contexts. We are flexible, inclusive, and friendly - we invite you to join us!
The SIG recently held a forum at JALT2013. This was the first time for us to hold a forum and the theme was “literature and the stories of our lives.” Thank you to everyone who came to the event and participated. Following this, we had our AGM with a few changes to the executive committee. Full details of who is who in the SIG are available from our website. As ever, we are always interested in volunteers to help out with things such as event planning, reading and proofing for our journal and helping the SIG grow. If you are thinking about getting involved, we welcome you to contact us!
2014 Conference: September 6-7, 2014. We are steadily making plans for our first literature-themed conference to be held at Aichi University, Toyohashi campus with John Roberts as the conference chair. Please consider submitting something to present, attending, or helping out promote this first LiLT SIG conference.
All important guidelines and information for contributors are available on our website <liltsig.org>. To join the SIG, tick Literature in Language Teaching when renewing your SIG membership.
MATERIALS WRITERS (MW)
We are planning to have opportunities for members to meet at JALT and other casual venues. Please check our website for more information <www.materialswriters.org>. Meet old/new members and stay active!
OTHER LANGUAGE EDUCATORS (OLE)
The OLE (Other Languages Educators) SIG issued its newsletter 67 with information and interleaved flyers in 5 languages. It held its successful second conference at Chukyo University in Nagoya, October 12-13. Information can be found at: <geocities.jp/dlinklist/ENG/OLEkon2013.html>. OLE was also active at JALT2013 in Kobe. For more information please contact <reinelt.rudolf.my@ehime-u.ac.jp> <T/F 089-927-9359>. Please inform learners and teachers of languages other than English of these opportunities.
PRAGMATICS
Pragmatics is the study of language from the point of view of language users, especially of the choices they make, the constraints they encounter in using language in social interaction and the effects their use of language has on other participants in the act of communication.
The Pragmatics SIG is in the process of creating a library of humorous comics and videos that highlight pragmatic matters in everyday conversation. Look for some new videos on our website <pragsig.org> this summer!
PROFESSIONALISM, ADMINISTRATION & LEADERSHIP IN EDUCATION (PALE)
PALE’s mission starts from the recognition that language education does not take place in isolation from society or other fields of education. Issues of concern include curriculum design, implementation and maintenance, professional ethics, professional development and evaluation, administrative methodology, leadership dynamics, comparative education, sociological trends in education, employment problems, legal issues, and the demands that societies place on educators. PALE seeks to apprise teachers of research and trends in these issues by organizing conference presentations and through its journal, newsletter, listserv, and website <jalt.org/groups/PALE>.
SCHOOL OWNERS (SO)
Please consider signing up for our newsletter! The sign-up form to the SO SIG's free quarterly newsletter is now active on the SO SIG website <schoolowners.net>. To subscribe, visit the site and enter your email address. Subscribers receive articles, freebies and news on upcoming SO SIG events.
SPEECH, DRAMA & DEBATE (SDD)
SDD had a good presence at JALT2013 and a new slate of officers was voted in. Our second issue of the year of Mask & Gavel was published and distributed to members in early October. We changed the format of our bi-monthly bulletin to make it easier to read on mobile phones and started using MailChimp to make the bulletin more appealing to the eye.
Much of our energy has gone to planning our upcoming mini-conference. Hiroshima JALT chapter has kindly invited SDD to co-sponsor their conference with CT SIG on December 1, 2013. The theme of the conference is "Creativity and Collaboration." Ken Wilson will be the featured speaker, through the generosity of Oxford University Press. See <sites.google.com/site/speechdramaanddebatepublicsite> or <hiroshima-jalt.org/annual-mini-conference>for more information.
We are also now busy planning our new Japan Online English Speech Contest (JOESC).
This will be an annual speech contest beginning in 2014 where entrants record their speeches as a video file and submit it to our website <sites.google.com/site/japanonlinespeechcontest/home> Please contact <joesc2014@gmail.com> if you would like to help organise or would like more information about this exciting project.
We had an exciting 2013 and are making plans for an even better 2014.
STUDY ABROAD (SA)
The Study Abroad SIG provides a supportive place for discussing areas of interest regarding study abroad and intercultural training. We welcome submissions for our newsletter, Ryuugaku, and we are looking for new officers to join the team. Visit our new website at <jalt-sa.org> or contact us at <studyabroadsig@gmail.com>.
当研究部会は、留学や異文化教育に関して議論し、また支援できる場を提供しています。当部会のニュースレター“Ryuugaku”への皆様からの投稿をお待ちしております。新役員の募集をしております。詳細は新ウェブサイト<jalt-sa.org>へお問い合わせは、 <studyabroadsig@gmail.com>へお願いします。
TASK BASED LEARNING (TBL)
The TBL SIG will hold the second “TBL in Asia,”conference in Kansai on May-18 2014. Details as well as a Call for Papers can be found at <www.tblsig.org/conference>.
The TBL SIG was created for teachers and other professionals who currently use or are interested in using task-based approaches in the classroom. It focuses, in particular, on issues related to task-based language teaching and learning in the Asian EFL context. The SIG serves as a useful forum for the exchange of practical teaching ideas, theoretical discussion, and academic study of TBLT issues. Our journal, OnTask, focuses on both research and theory, in the form of feature articles as well as more practical TBLT-informed lesson plans. Potential contributors to OnTask are invited to contact our publications officer, Julian Pigott at <julianpigott@gmail.com>.
TEACHER EDUCATION & DEVELOPMENT (TED)
The Teacher Education and Development (TED) SIG is a network for those who want to help themselves and others become better teachers. Thank you for your participation in JALT2013.
TED's newsletter Explorations in Teacher Education welcomes stimulating articles! You can find out more at <jalt.org/ted>. You can also stay in touch with us online by becoming a friend of our mascot, Ted Sig, on Facebook, or following <@tedsig> on Twitter or Google+.
TEACHERS HELPING TEACHERS (THT)
The THT SIG sponsored presentation will be “Developing Student Centred Learning” with four members of the THT SIG discussing the development of student centred teaching techniques as used by NNS and NS language teachers in both Japan and in Laos. Hope to see you there!
TEACHING CHILDREN (TC)
First of all, heartfelt thanks go to all those who joined us at JALT Junior in Kobe this year. The conference was an outstanding success and we were honored to have so many excellent presenters and a wonderfully enthusiastic audience for them. A special thanks to all those volunteers who gave so generously of their time (and patience); without such selflessness (and effortless crisis control), JALT Jr. would not have been as, well, utterly awesome as it truly was.
Although the post-conference period tends to be a bit quiet, as anybody who attended our AGM knows we are busy implementing a number of significant improvements to the running of the SIG. We are in the process of enriching our online and social media presence, along with finalizing the details of the inaugural TC SIG Journal. We will keep you updated of our progress via our regular e-newsletter.
As always, if you have any ideas, activities, advice or experiences you would like to share with your fellow teachers, please consider submitting them to some of our upcoming issues of the TLC Newsletter! Email your submissions to the editor at <editor@tcsig.jalt.org>. For more information about the Teaching Children SIG and all our activities, please visit our homepage <tcsig.jalt.org> or TCSIG Facebook page <facebook.com/pages/JALT-Teaching-Children-SIG>.
TESTING & EVALUATION (TEVAL)
The Testing and Evaluation SIG is concerned with all aspects of testing and evaluating language performance and language programs, and welcomes both experienced teachers and those new to this area who wish to learn more about it. Our interests encompass quantitative and qualitative approaches to language assessment, including alternatives to traditional testing such as peer and self-assessment, portfolios, and project evaluation. Shiken, our refereed newsletter, contains a variety of assessment-related articles, including research reports, interviews with prominent authors, book reviews, instructional columns on statistical analysis, Rasch measurement, and assessment literacy.
VOCABULARY (VOCAB)
The VOCAB SIG is proud to announce that our membership has grown to 130 members since last year. We welcome new membership and enjoyed this year’s JALT2013 Conference.