2013/08/24 Kusatsu

The 24th Annual Workshop in Kusatsu

Featured Lecturer: Dr. Ema Ushioda

While Kanto sweated and sweltered, thirty five language teachers retreated into the cool of the mountains. There, while relaxing in Japan's premier onsen resort town, they attended lectures given by Dr. Ema Ushioda.

Dr. Ushioda, an associate professor in ELT and applied linguistics at the Centre for Applied Linguistics, University of Warwick, gave two connected presentations on language learning motivation and learner autonomy: 1) Motivation and global English: language learning and professional challenges, and 2) Motivating the person rather than the L2 learner.

The workshop in Kusatsu is also a chance for a handful of attendees to showcase their recent academic achievements. Gunma JALT member Akiko Fujii presented her findings on prompted writing vs. free writing assignments. Mikio Iguchi from Tokiwa University spoke candidly on cultural-ethnic identity of multicultural people. FLP SIG member Gabriela Schmidt talked about the trials and triumphs of teaching German as an L3 in Japan. Keita Kikuchi from Kanagawa University dovetailed nicely with Dr. Ushioda by presenting about de-motivators in EFL contexts.

Attendees of this year's workshop left refreshed and full of ideas to promote active L2 learning. If this sounds good to you, think about joining us next year.

Be sure to check out her book!