[LD-SIG Discussion List] LD-SIG May 11th from joyce TLT report - Willing contributor???

Thu May 8 10:16:13 CDT 2008

Hi Joyce and all,
Very welcome! We'll send you the name of our volunteer reporter on Sunday
night for the TLT 'Grassroots' column, May 11th Japan time if that's okay
(May 10th in Canada). I don't mind putting my name as a reporter sooner than
that date(s) if needed, but I hope to give a couple days for the greater
Tokyo crew to think of writing possibilities -I haven't allowed enough
time for people to think about that yet (sorry guys!).

If we went with the July or August slot, would that work better for your
planning in the meantime Joyce?

By the way all, we are an opt-in discuss group now, so some greater Tokyo
members may not be on this list just to share that info.

Stacey

On 5/8/08, Joyce CUNNINGHAM <joyce at mx.ibaraki.ac.jp> wrote:
>
> Stacey,
> Thanks so much for getting back to me.  I will wait to hear who would be a
> willing contributor in the land of the LD-SIG.
>
> The volunteer reporter would be able to choose, as mentioned below, on the
> deadline to submit to the TLT (either june, july, or aug/) but i would
> appreciate knowing as soon as possible, so that i can hold that spot open
> and plan on other contributors in the other months. thanks so much in
> advance,
> joyce with mariko miyao
> co-editors "Grassroots" column - TLT
> --- "Stacey Vye" <stacey.vye at gmail.com> ---
>
> >Hi Joyce and everyone,
> >
> >My apologies for not posting sooner and thanks for thinking of the LD
> >greater Tokyo 'get-togethers' for a possible report in the 'Grassroots'
> >column of the TLT. Our meetings seem to fit the column well, since we've
> met
> >in an organic fashion for over a year now, and are considering what
> >discussions and projects we like to focus on forthcoming (planting seeds
> and
> >nurturing them to grow).
> >
> >So the "million dollar question (hope people don't mind the pun)" is
> 'Yes!'
> >We would like to submit a proposal for the Grassroots column from the LD
> >Tokyo meeting on May 11th. Could we get back to you on the particulars
> >(month submission and writers) within the next few weeks?
> >
> >Thanks again,
> >
> >Stacey
> >
> >
> >
> >On 4/30/08, Joyce CUNNINGHAM <joyce at mx.ibaraki.ac.jp> wrote:
> >>
> >> Hi Stacey and all,
> >> You've had wonderfully fruitful meetings i would guess, from reading
> these
> >> reports from afar.  i am on sabbatical in canada until aug. so cannot
> attend
> >> but want to ask you (or anyone in your group) if you would submit a
> 750-word
> >> (strict max) report to our TLT column 'Grassroots' on past meetings,
> >> learnings, future plans, of interest to the average TLT reader.
> >>
> >> this report could be for the june, july or august 1st deadline.  could
> be
> >> in english, japanese or a combination of both: all are
> acceptable.  would
> >> you or another willing contributor get back to me?  it would be nice PR
> for
> >> what you are all doing so beautifully.  you have already written some
> of the
> >> draft below it would seem to me.  anyway, let me know?
> >> all my best,
> >> joyce with Mariko Miyao
> >> TLT Grassroots co-editors
> >> --- "Stacey Vye" <stacey.vye at gmail.com> ---
> >>
> >> >*Hi LD-SIG Greater-Tokyo Regional Members, *
> >> >* *
> >> >*Apologies for the cross-posts. Hope you are still energetic from the
> new
> >> >school year and ready for a Golden Week break of some kind! While you
> >> have a
> >> >moment, feel free to take a look at our March 9th get-together
> >> reflections
> >> >compiled by Tomoko Kawachi following the get-together details (Thanks
> >> >Tomoko!).*
> >> >**
> >> >If you are free, please come and join us* for yet another* a chance
> >> >to create and renew connections with each other locally and talk
> together
> >> >about what all our different interests in learner development, learner
> >> >autonomy and teacher autonomy are, and perhaps what they might not be*
> on
> >> >Sunday May 11th, 2008 (in Suidobashi, Tokyo).** *
> >> >**
> >> >**
> >> >*Greater Tokyo Area LD Regional Get Together Details and Getting
> there:*
> >> >* *
> >> >*Date:* Sunday May 11th, 2008
> >> >*Time:* 2pm to 5pm
> >> >*Venue:* Teacher's College Columbia in Suidobashi
> >> >           Mitsui Seimei Bldg. 4F
> >> >           2-21-2 Misaki-cho, Chiyoda-ku
> >> >           Tokyo 101-0061, JAPAN
> >> >           Phone: 03-3221-9771 Fax: 03-3221-9773
> >> >*Nearest Train Stations:* JR Suidobashi (one minute walk)
> >> >                                   Mita-line Suidobashi (three minute
> >> walk)
> >> >                                   Jimbo-cho (ten minute walk)
> >> >*Map and directions:* http://www.tc-japan.edu/map.html
> >> >
> >> >*RSVP to **stacey.vye at gmail.com* <stacey.vye at gmail.com>* *
> >> >
> >> >Cheers,
> >> >Mike Nix & Stacey Vye
> >> >LD-Sig Regional Get-together Co-Coordinators
> >> >
> >> >*LD-SIG Greater Tokyo Get-Together Reflections (Mar. 9, 2008)***
> >> >
> >> >
> >> >
> >> >·          *Stacey Vye*: First of all, it was wonderful to catch up
> with
> >> LD
> >> >friends at the 8th local get-together. Since Mike Nix and I
> co-coordinate
> >> >the greater Tokyo area group, I posed a question about how to explore
> the
> >> >use of various invite lists and bulletin computer programs to help the
> >> >process of getting-together run smoother and give members a chance to
> >> post
> >> >comments about the get-togethers prior to or after our meetings. If
> you
> >> have
> >> >any advice or feedback on invite lists please contact
> >> stacey.vye at gmail.com.
> >> >
> >> >After chatting while eating a bountiful spread of snack donated by
> some
> >> >attendees, we discussed how to approach teaching cultural awareness on
> >> the
> >> >suggestion of Joe Falout. The process helped me reflect on how
> important
> >> it
> >> >is to guide the students through the process of sharing cultures and
> >> >sub-cultures within the community of the classroom as a starting
> point.
> >> >
> >> >·          *Naoko Harada*: Today's heated discussion on how to teach
> >> >cultural diversity was an inspiring occasion. If a teacher is fully
> aware
> >> of
> >> >what beliefs his or her cultural contents of teaching will be based
> on, I
> >> >believe meaningful discussion will be generated in class. Materials
> could
> >> >range from stories based on students' personal experiences to critical
> >> >incidents around the globe. Comparing cultural differences through
> facts
> >> and
> >> >figures or through other objective sources may help students to view
> the
> >> >reality from a different perspective. It will ultimately provide an
> >> >opportunity for students to gain insight about our cultural identities
> as
> >> >well as those of others.
> >> >
> >> >·          *Kay Irie*: I felt really good about being here. And our
> >> >get-together worked well as we spent the first half talking about the
> use
> >> of
> >> >discuss-list to reach out the LD members and if there should be an
> >> >alternative way. Then through individual self-introductions I learned
> >> about
> >> >what everybody's interested in these days – including those whom I've
> >> never
> >> >met before and I'm already friends with. Of course it is great to hear
> >> >about/from people I've met today for the first time.
> >> >There were lots of refreshment and chats during the break.
> >> >
> >> >After the break, Joe started a discussion on cross-cultural difference
> >> >awareness and how to deal with that in classroom. Because it was
> >> something
> >> >that's been discussed at my work recently, I enjoyed talking about it
> and
> >> >hearing about other people's perspectives on this.
> >> >
> >> >Once again, I enjoyed the get-together by learning something new
> (Dörnyei
> >> &
> >> >Thurrell's framework), re-connecting with other members, and getting
> to
> >> know
> >> >new people!
> >> >
> >> >·          *Terry Yearley*: (1) LD SIG Publicity – Stacey asked for
> ideas
> >> to
> >> >help her organize her job of publicizing the Tokyo Chapter of the LD
> SIG.
> >> >The possibilities include, either adopting the present list, which is
> >> >under-utilized, or creating a new list. (2) Cultural awareness in
> >> >conversation skills – Joe asked for comments on the above topic.
> Several
> >> >members outlined their views regarding their own situations. 'Super
> >> English'
> >> >High Schools were also briefly discussed.
> >> >
> >> >·          *Joe Falout*: The teachers who came together form a
> supportive
> >> >community with the environment encouraging of self-directed
> >> participation. I
> >> >felt the sensitivity and care those teachers have for the people
> around
> >> >them. I enjoyed listening to everyone's views, stories, and
> suggestions
> >> >towards positive change for learning. Anyone looking for such
> community
> >> can
> >> >find it here.
> >> >
> >> >·          *Alison Stewart*: Today's discussion covered a lot of
> ground.
> >> We
> >> >started with the question of the LD-Discussion list – Stacey wondered
> how
> >> >that could be managed more efficiently. I was surprised to realize she
> is
> >> >emailing individuals who have opted out of the list.
> >> >
> >> >From there, we went onto self-introductions, which drew my attention
> to
> >> >similarities into our interests as well as difference in experiences
> and
> >> >goals. Kay's story of finding a group of teachers who have created a
> >> >Japanese language program on learner autonomy through their book
> before
> >> >realizing that campuses often consist of bounded communities. Often
> one
> >> >community or group has little idea what its neighbor is doing and thus
> >> lack
> >> >an opportunity for mutual dialogue or collaboration. Moving to a new
> job,
> >> I
> >> >realize I have to be open-minded and keep my eyes and ears open not
> just
> >> >within the department where I will be working.
> >> >
> >> >The last topic was teaching cultural differences – again prompting a
> >> >wide-ranging and, for me, very relevant conversation.
> >> >
> >> >·          *Tomoko Kawachi*: It was nice getting to meet everyone,
> >> >especially the new members. The discussion on teaching cross-cultural
> >> >difference was especially interesting to me, since I teach a whole
> course
> >> >devoted to intercultural communication, but also because it reminded
> me
> >> that
> >> >teaching about culture should be a part of any language course, since
> >> >language and culture are inseparable. The discussion also alerted me
> on
> >> the
> >> >danger of stereotyping, but I think we need to be aware that
> especially
> >> when
> >> >we teach culture, it is impossible to be completely neutral and
> >> objective.
> >> >So we need to make our students aware that what we're teaching is one
> >> >dimension of reality, and that they should always look for alternative
> >> ways
> >> >of looking at issues and the world, i.e., to be critical and doubt
> their
> >> >"common sense" and be sensitive to others' perspectives.
> >> >
> >> >·          *Yoko Wakui: *It was exciting that more people attended
> than
> >> >usual this time. It goes without saying that we enjoyed exchanging
> >> different
> >> >views. Above all, we had a heated discussion about how to corporate
> >> cultural
> >> >issues in class.
> >> >
> >> >Thanks to Joe, everyone had a copy of an article *Teaching
> conversation
> >> >skills intensively:      Course content and rationale *by Dornyei and
> >> >Thurrell. I have realized the significance yet difficulty of guiding
> >> >students today. I usually use films or documentaries to teach academic
> >> >issues, but Naoko offered an episode where she used the picture book
> *If
> >> I
> >> >had a chance*. She expressed her concern about her influence on her
> >> >students.
> >> >It is certain that teachers should be careful how to guide students. I
> >> >believe, however, that students have the ability to think critically
> on
> >> >their own if given an opportunity such as group discussion. To my
> >> surprise,
> >> >sometimes they even give us new perspectives as Joe and Kay say.
> Teachers
> >> >could simply be a facilitator.
> >> >
> >> >   - *Masuko Miyahara*: Attended by twelve or so people, the latest LD
> >> >   SIG Tokyo Regional get together had a nice mixture of "new and old"
> >> faces.
> >> >   We started out by the usual round of self-introductions, but the
> >> comments
> >> >   made by each participant last Sunday all included an "issue" that
> in
> >> one way
> >> >   or another appeared relevant for many of us. One remark that I was
> >> >   particularly interested in was made by Andy who expressed his
> concerns
> >> about
> >> >   what people got out of these gatherings: are they contributing to
> our
> >> >   professional development? What are we gaining by participating in
> >> these
> >> >   meetings? Are they helpful? When you really start thinking about
> this,
> >> it
> >> >   certainly is a challenging topic. Have you really developed
> >> professionally?
> >> >   How can you tell? What do you judge yourself against??? At the
> moment,
> >> >   a lot of things are swirling around in circles in my mind, but, one
> >> thing I
> >> >   can say for sure is that these meeting do support me a lot, and in
> a
> >> variety
> >> >   of ways. Whether you are a practitioner or a researcher, it can
> >> sometimes be
> >> >   a lonely "business". The opportunities to discuss and exchange
> ideas
> >> with
> >> >   people certainly contributes to broadening my understanding or
> >> deepening my
> >> >   thoughts on a certain topic. But, I guess, what I appreciate most
> are
> >> the
> >> >   "people" who are involved in creating such opportunities – without
> >> their
> >> >   efforts nothing will happen !! Thanks everyone!  I look forward to
> >> >   many more of these gatherings, and hope to continue to help out.
> >>
> >> _______________________________________________
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>
> _______________________________________________
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