It’s almost the end of 2021, the second year spent with COVID-19. While some parts of the world are slowly trying to go back to “normal”, the world of education is moving towards a new reality. And we, as teachers, need to be able to anticipate the change and prepare our students for the society they will embrace in the near future.
So, before we all turn our screens off to enjoy the upcoming winter break, let’s gather one more time and see what this month’s presenters have in store for us! Plus, a couple of announcements regarding 2022!
Event: ALT Agorà ⑩
When: December 14, 2021 (TUESDAY) @7:30pm JST (60 min)
Where: Zoom
Register here: https://forms.gle/v8WrEv7KjkVLzEaK8
This month join us to talk about the following topics!
SPOTLIGHT: The Odd Contradiction of Language and Culture Learning
Joseph Shaules (Keio University)
There’s an odd contradiction at the heart of language and culture learning. On the one hand, language and culture are closely related. On the other hand, in the classroom language and culture are often kept separate. This talk will explore how to make language learning a more intercultural experience. We will learn about the “Linguaculture Tree” and the cultural basics that all language teachers should understand.
Room 1: Making the language-culture connection.
Joseph Shaules (Keio University)
What do you see as the connection between language learning and culture learning? What are the challenges of overcoming the “odd contradiction of language and culture learning”? How can we make language learning an intercultural experience?
Room 2: Revisiting the Awakening to Languages Methodology.
Daniel Pearce (Kyoto Notre Dame University)
The modern-day English teacher has many challenges, including how to prepare learners to engage with World Englishes (or other languages), and creating lessons that will have a genuine educational impact on learners regardless of whether they eventually use other languages or not. In this session, I explore the Awakening to Languages approach, through which learners examine, compare, and consider multiple languages to develop interest in diversity, openness towards the unfamiliar, motivation for the study of language, and acquire the skills necessary to pursue a target language. Classroom activities will be introduced and made available for participants. Newcomers welcome!
Room 3: Whose English Is It Anyway!?: A Discussion on Native Speakerism.
Chiaki Lawler (Director, Endeavour English Education)
This interactive forum aims to provide a platform for our English teaching professionals in Japan who have experienced discrimination in their profession to voice their experiences. We can’t change the world overnight…But the discussion will attempt to dissect the notion of Native Speakerism in Japan to better understand our host culture and the society we live in.
For more information, check our [website](https://altagora.altto.net)
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