The Saitama Orientation is a major event for incoming and current JETs working in the Saitama Prefecture. Hosted by the Prefectural Governments International Division, this event prepares new JETs for their lives and work in Japan. Instructors for the day are mostly current Saitama Prefecture JETs. Workshops on this day ranged from the basics of living in Japan (like taking out the garbage) to planning lessons and team teaching. Continue reading
Category Archives: Presentation
Global Studies at the 2015 Nakasendo English Conference
On July 19, 2015, I gave a short talk about that upcoming implementation of Saitama City’s Global Studies program. Continue reading
Saitama Municipal ALT Workshop: An update on the development of Global Studies
On July 16, 2015 I gave a presentation at the Saitama Municipal Institute of Education. The purpose of the presentation was to update the city’s ALTs on the development of the Global Studies Program. Many of the concepts that were central to the presentation came from documents produced by Saitama City and MEXT. One key document was the Second Basic Plan for the Promotion of Education.
The basics of educational goals in Japan
One of the key points to the workshop was developing an understanding of the Global Studies program from as wide a view as is possible. The major goals of education, for example, should be found in a recognizable form in any given lesson. These are:
- Develop social competencies for survival
- Develop human resources for a brighter future
- Build safety nets for learning
- Build bonds and establish vibrant communities
The goal of Global Studies, which is strongly related to the above goals is:
~To raise students who can act independently, and live rich, vigorous lives for a bright future in a global society~
Other key concepts related that are central to Global studies are the ability to resolve issues, take independent action, develop respect for others, have pride in one’s own identity, and have a rich zest for life- all within an increasingly global society.
Development of curricular patterns
One of the key points to this presentation was a description of the curricular patterns that were emerging from English Education Research Model Schools. In essence these were as follows:
- An emerging awareness for the need of balanced interplay between instruction and assessment
- The use of CAN-DO Lists to inform curriculum, instruction and assessment
- The importance of a 9 year vision for teachers at all stages
- The development of units of study that incorporate all of the above
Issues faced in the development of Global Studies
During the workshop major issues that were emerging in English Education Research Model Schools were also presented. These can be seen below. 
Saitama City Municipal Junior High School Research Presentation
On February 25, 2015 two years of research into the implementation and development of the Saitama City Unified ES/JH Uruoi no Jikan ECAD program at one of the city’s designated Model Schools. The focus of the study was into methods of improving students’ expressive abilities. Brad Semans acted as the coordinator and lead developer of the school’s research efforts between April 2008 and March 2015.
Open Lesson
During the first part of this presentation attendees watched a lesson with second grade students. The lesson was the final part of a series of lessons in which students presented as a group. The main focus of the presentation lesson was not on the presenters, but on the audience’s role. Within the ECAD program this skill is called “Active Listening”. The concept presented was that focus on creating an atmosphere in which the presenting group leads a class discussion. The lesson succeeded in that each speaker was asked several questions by a variety of audience members.
Research Discussion
Following the lesson teachers present engaged in a discussion that centred on the school’s research theme of developing methods for improving students’ expressive abilities. There were several highlights to the discussion. The first was a discussion about how important it was for students to understand both macro and micro goals. The second was a proposal to improve instruction on Active Listening in earlier years of the program. Finally, there was consensus that the instruction given here could, and should be applied to other subjects as well.
Presentation of the 2015-2015 Saitama City Ward ALT Research Project for the Iwatsuki Ward
This was a presentation of the action research project conducted by the 8 ALTs serving the Iwatsuki Ward in Saitama City. The presentation was at the March ALT Meeting at the Saitama City Institute of Education on March 16th, 2015. During this action research project the Iwatsuki Ward ALTs assessed the kinds of skills and abilities required by teachers to teach the 3rd edition of Saitama City’s English Communication Ability Development Program (ECAD). The resulting product is a document detailing the special considerations and abilities related to each lesson hour in the junior high school part of the curriculum.