Job Discussion Forums

TokyoLiz · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 1548 Location: Tokyo, Japan

I'm run ragged at work and hardly have time to work on curriculum development, so I haven't done any pro d things since I arrived in Japan. Embarassed

This coming term, my resolution is to make time to go to conferences. I'm worried that I'm not keeping up with the world outside of Japan.

Does anybody have some recommendations about weekend or short courses in TESOL/EFL in Tokyo that won't break the bank?

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

I have written a few articles for online TEFL web sites (www.tefl.net and www.teachinginjapan.com). Time for attending meetings? Well, considering that in my area (Sapporo), these are always held on the weekend, and I am working half of the Saturdays every month, and I refuse to give up my Sundays away from my wife and son, I have no time to do so.

Liz, I know what you mean about lack of time for curriculum development. Sarcastically speaking, it really doesn't matter in my case, because my school just tells everyone what they are teaching only 2 weeks before they start, so there isn't any time to do long term planning. We all do it on the fly. Seriously speaking, we all do it on the fly. (No, that's not a repeat typo.) Moreover, I have a couple of special classes that demand my constant attention to curriculum development, and I do my best to squeeze in a web search here and there throughout the day (and night) just to keep half a step ahead of the next lesson. Glad to see the extensive reading web site appear on www.teachinginjapan.com. Now, if I only have time to read it...

denise · Joined: 23 Apr 2003 Posts: 3419 Location: finally home-ish

Not yet... ooooops... Joining JALT is always somewhere on my mind, but I just haven't done it yet. I gave myself a few months to get settled in, get used to my classes, etc., but those few months have passed. Now it's time to get going.

When I first arrived here, I was thinking about applying to PhD programs in a few years. Now that I'm teaching again, I'm really enjoying being in a classroom, and I'm questioning how a PhD would make me a better teacher. I'm leaning more towards not going back to school yet again, and I guess in the process a lot of professional development-type stuff has slipped through the cracks. (Were I still determined to go after a PhD I would be much more motivated to write articles, etc.)

Either way, I need to get off my butt and get to some conferences. There's one in Niigata tomorrow, but it's for teachers of children. I get the impression that most of the conferences are geared towards children's teachers.

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Celeste · Posted: Sat Feb 28, 2004 11:54 am Post subject:

The reason that most development workshops are geared towards teachers of young children is that the teachers at highscholls and junior highschools are kept so incredibly busy with extracurriculars that they couldn't attend a workshop even if they wanted to (which many of them in their overworked, exhausted state can't imagine wanting to do) For many of us foreign teachers, we do not have the same level of duties as our Japanese counterparts, and can actually be a resource in the schools for them by attending the workshops ourselves and reporting back any interesting findings.

PAULH · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 4672 Location: Western Japan

guest of Japan · Joined: 28 Feb 2003 Posts: 1601 Location: Japan

I'm taking the first of the three Tokyo Language Arts College courses. I have to admit that it is much more challenging than I expected. I think that by the time I finish I will have written over a 100 pages in reaction essays. This is on par with what I used to compose during a college semester.

The reading material is quite interesting. The assignments all take a great deal of thought.

I am told that credits will transfer to various masters programs. I haven't seen the complete list, but I notice that there are a large number of Australian universities that will accept them.

I took the course because I wanted to boost my theoretical knowledge in TESOL. I also thought it might be a good idea to get a piece of paper in the field.

The hard part is motivating myself to write the papers.

TokyoLiz · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 1548 Location: Tokyo, Japan

I had a look at the Tokyo Language Arts College.

It seems that their programs are short courses for those who need in-service training or are just starting out. The program was designed by Jack C. Richards, the world-reknowned uber-TESOL teacher.

It looks like a solid, accessible program. And it doesn't look expensive.

http://www.distance-learning.org/tlac/about/abouttlac.shtml

Tonester · Posted: Sun Mar 28, 2004 11:22 pm Post subject:

Denise: I attended that program back on Feb 29th. Let me guess..... Was it that David English House program? I attended it as I do 3 JHS and 15 Elementary schools as a JET. It was good.........

denise · Joined: 23 Apr 2003 Posts: 3419 Location: finally home-ish

Yeah, I think it was David English House. A friend of mine here went to it.

How I would love for Niigata to host a conference geared towards teachers of older students...

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