Purpose
The Skills Development Conference (SDC) brings ALTs and JTEs together to share workplace experiences and discuss team-teaching and related matters. The conference strives to enhance foreign language education and to further develop the JET Programme in Kagoshima Prefecture.
Objectives
- Enhance teaching methods to promote more communicative and student-centered learning.
- Develop participants as effective team teachers.
- Utilize textbooks and other teaching materials.
- Discuss issues related to foreign language education in elementary, junior and senior high schools in Kagoshima Prefecture.
- Promote further understanding of cultural differences in the workplace.
- Discuss the duties and responsibilities of the ALT-JTE partnership.
Sponsors
The Conference is administered by the Kagoshima Prefectural Board of Education, and the Council of Local Authorities for International Relations (CLAIR).
Date & Venue
Thursday, November 7, 12:00 PM – 4:15 PM and Friday, November 8, 8:30 AM – 4:15 PM
Kagoshima-ken Shichouson Jichikaikan, Kamoike Shinmachi 7-4, Kagoshima City 890-0064
鹿児島県市町村自治会館〒890-0064鹿児島県鹿児島市鴨池新町7-4
Participants
- All Kagoshima JET Program ALTs
- JTEs from junior and senior high schools in Kagoshima Prefecture
- Prefectural and Municipal Language Teachers’ Consultants
General Information
Accommodation: ALTs are requested to check with their supervisors regarding accommodation.
Parking & Transportation: Participants are advised to use public transportation to and from the conference. Parking near the Prefectural Office is limited.
Attendance & Dress Code: Business attire should be worn, and attendance at all sessions is mandatory.
Schedule
| DAY 1 12:00 – 12:30 Check-in 12:30 – 12:45 Opening Ceremony & Remarks 12:45 – 1:10 KAJET Kickoff 1:20 – 2:20 Keynote Address 2:30 – 4:00 Ed. Connect 4:00 – 4:15 Closing Remarks & Cleanup | DAY 2 8:30 – 9:00 Check-in & Announcements 9:00 – 10:00 Elective Workshops 10:10 – 11:40 CLAIR Workshop 11:40 – 1:00 LUNCH 1:00 – 3:00 Stamp Rally 3:10 – 4:00 ALT/JTE Split Session 4:00 – 4:15 Survey Submission & Cleanup |
General Session Overview (Thursday, November 7)
Opening Ceremony
A few words to commence this year’s Skills Development Conference will be given.
KAJET Kickoff
This features an exciting ice-breaker led by the Kagoshima AJET committee
Keynote Address
We are very fortunate to have Ms. Masayo Tomitaka give the keynote presentation this year. She is a Senior Specialist for Curriculum at the National Institute of Educational Policy Research (NIER) with the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT).
Ed. Connect
This session, moderated by the two ALT-PAs and their JTEs, will promote open communication among participants. Discussion topics include lesson planning, workplace relationship and conflict resolution, and performance expectations and evaluations.
General Session Overview (Friday, November 8)
ELECTIVE WORKSHOPS
SDC will have four elective workshops which will run concurrently. Each participant is asked to rank their preferences through the participant registration form. The early bird gets the worm, so register soon to increase your chances of being placed in the session of your choice. Registration for the conference opens Tuesday, October 1, and closes Tuesday, October 15. Please see the details for the workshops below.
Basic Games Toolkit (Workshop Code: GAME)
Learn and play English games in this fun and interactive workshop. Games can be adjusted to suit the level of your students. Similar to last year’s workshop, group and volunteer participation makes learning fun! Games include one for 4th-grade elementary school using the “Let’s Try” textbook, and a “Will you…” grammar activity for 2nd-grade junior high school. Games which might be familiar to some will also be reviewed
Beyond the Textbook (Workshop Code: TEXT)
This workshop aims to help teachers enrich their lessons by giving ideas and suggestions about how to use their textbooks effectively through activities, games, and more. This workshop is targeted towards senior high school teachers, but can be useful for junior high school and elementary school teachers as well.
Creating a Compassionate Classroom (Workshop Code: COMP)
As educators, we are not only responsible for ensuring that our students learn as much as we can teach them, we are tasked with running club activities, assorted homeroom duties, and securing their well-being. How do we balance these responsibilities while also maintaining our own well-being? This active workshop will equip participants with insight and techniques for addressing their mental health in order to create a compassionate classroom that meets the emergent needs of their students.
Level Up your Team Teaching! (Workshop Code: TEAM)
Strategies/tips for JTEs and ALTs to get the most out of team-taught lessons. “We have a lesson tomorrow. What should we do?” How many times have you heard that? Team teaching is an opportunity for a native English speaker and a well-trained JTE who knows their students’ abilities to come together for unstoppable 英語 パワー! Don’t waste it! At this workshop, we’ll talk about strategies for effective team-teaching lessons. JTE/ALT communication tips, team teaching models, and “no preparation” team teaching ideas will all be discussed.
CLAIR Workshop
We are pleased to welcome Mr. Andrew Suson, from CLAIR, to our Skills Development Conference this year. His discussion-based presentation, Communicating Expectations, will cover topics related to communicating effectively regarding ALT and JTE’s expectations for team-teaching.
Stamp Rally
Experienced ALTs, alongside new arrivals, will display a variety of interesting and informative themes ranging from Cuisine to Home Country booths by native ALTs.
ALT and JTE Split Sessions
Conference participants will be split into three groups: junior high school JTEs, senior high school JTEs, and ALTs. During this time, questions and concerns will be addressed by Teachers Consultants and the ALT Prefectural Advisors.
REGISTER NOW!
Registration will close on October 16.
Kagoshima JET Program 