INCORPORATION OF AN ENRICHED

AND

EFFECTIVE ENGLISH TEACHING METHOD

INTO THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL CURRICULUM

 

FROM TEACHING METHOD (TPRS:Teaching Proficiency through Reading and Storytelling) TO INSTRUCTIONAL DESIGN

 

DATE:  August 4-6, 2008

 

PLACE:             Lindy Lizard English House

                            7-7 Dairyu cho

 

PHONE:        050-1495-5442, 090-4488-4817

 

COST:                

1 day 5,000 yen

2 days 9,000 yen

3 days 13,000 yen

 

 (Includes an obento lunch and a free story book with CD)

 

ABSTRACT

 

For teachers at elementary school or teaching children due to the new objectives of the ministry of education starting in the year 2011 or a teacher looking for and willing to try something new, this course is specifically designed for you. Teachers who have no experience to teach English and need practice with their English ability do not need to worry about participating in the course since our aim is to enhance your confidence, motivation and interest. Furthermore, you’ll learn how to involve students with their natural curiosity.

 

OBJECTIVES

 

1)                     You will improve and gain confidence in your English speaking, listening and conversation abilities.

2)                     You will be able to use the TPRS method in your classroom, which enhances not only reading, writing,

listening and speaking  but thinking skills, creativity and imagination as well.

3)                     You will gain the technique to improve your English teaching along side your students.

(You manage the class as a co-learner.)

4)                     You will be able to manage your class with a well planned curriculum and use materials effectively.

5)                     After this course you’ll have continuous help in the TPRS community.

 

 

CONTENTS AND SCHEDULE

 

DAY 1  9:00-12:00        English Lesson              Learn English in the revolutionary

                                          TPRS method.

12:00-1:00           Immersion Lunch         Speak English during lunch with your

                                                                                    teacher and other participants.

              1:00-4:00           English Lesson

 

DAY 2  9:00-12:00         Step 1                              The first step is “circling”. Learn how to do it

                                                                                    and practice.

              12:00-1:00         Immersion Lunch

              1:00-4:00           Step 2                               The second step is “parking”. Learn how to do

                                                                                    it and practice.

 

DAY 3  9:00-12:00         Step 3                               The third step is “PQA”. Learn how to do it

                                                                                    and practice.

              12:00-1:00         Immersion Lunch

              1:00-4:00           Curriculum/Materials  See a prepared curriculum and how to use it

                                                                                     with TPRS materials.

 

INSTRUCTOR’S PROFILE

 

Melinda Kawahara has been teaching English in Japan for 20 years. She worked at Junshin Junior and Senior High School for 11 years where she was involved in revamping the English curriculum. For the past 6 years she has been studying the TPRS method with the foresight in that there would be a need to incorporate English language learning amongst young learners. Also, her belief is not limited to the four basic language skills (reading, writing, speaking and listening) but embraces three more skills (creativity, imagination and thinking skills). In order to realize her belief after researching for many years she encountered a novel teaching method that is becoming the leading second language teaching method in North America. After years of study she has written children’s storybooks aimed at young learners using the TPRS method. She is invited to cities all over Japan as a qualified teacher trainer and promotes the TPRS method.

 

FUTURE CONCERNS

 

Now she is concerned about the English curriculum to be incorporated in the elementary schools. Statistics from newspapers and surveys show that teachers and parents are concerned about the education of their students and children. At this time thee is no solution to the problem and many teachers are not satisfied with the training they have received to date. Benesse research corporation has revealed the serious situation amongst teachers as well as parents and students concerns. All being considered, she has decided to promote teacher training and create a study group for continuous support.