The Language Teacher
June 2004

Time is Now to Look Forward to JALT2004

Rich Porter

Perspectives

. . . with Joyce Cunningham & Mariko Miyao perspectives@jalt-publications.org

Already, many conference goers are thinking about JALT2004. It will occur at spacious Tezukayama University in Nara from November 19-22. www.jaltnagoya.homestead.com/JALT2004_TU_Painting.html

One of the reasons for all the excitement relates to the theme, Language Learning for Life. As the following link demonstrates, www.jaltnagoya.homestead.com/Theme.html, the conference theme is designed to focus attention on a desired end result: We as teachers want our students to have a lifelong interest in our subject. In fact, 498 proposals were received for this year's conference, which represents a remarkably wide array of ideas and perspectives.

The upcoming conference is an ideal opportunity to increase awareness of what enhances students' interest and skills in a foreign language throughout their lifetimes. So when the July issue of TLT arrives, check the presenters' titles with an eye to planning to attend those presentations that can most advance your awareness. At the close of JALT2004, you will depart with a wealth of ideas and techniques on how more of your students can, for instance, be more motivated intrinsically and gain communicative competence in the years to come.

In addition, JALT2004 will have three topnotch plenary speakers who will also weigh in with pertinent information related to the conference theme. Stephen Krashen, from University of Southern California, is most noted for co-authoring The Natural Approach. Recently, he wrote Explorations in Language Acquisition and Use. Over the last two decades, his theories have been thoroughly debated in the ESL/EFL field. He will have much to say about them and the relationship of language acquisition theory to our conference theme.

Mike McCarthy, from The University of Nottingham, will be another notable speaker. His research interests are applied linguistics, discourse analysis, and spoken corpus linguistics. Most recently, he wrote Issues in Applied Linguistics. We have the good fortune of Cambridge Publishers sponsoring him at our conference.

And finally, you will appreciate the third main speaker, Susan Barduhn, from the School for International Training (SIT), Brattleboro, Vermont, with SIT as her sponsor. Susan is also the past President of IATEFL and has taught, trained, and managed schools on four continents. For 10 years, she was a teacher trainer at International House in London. SIT presenters are held in high regard among many JALT members for their practical approaches, and assuredly, Susan Barduhn will magnify that reputation.

In addition, you will have access to eight featured speakers—all made possible by their sponsors. H. D. Brown (Longman), Curtis Kelly (Cambridge), Hugh Dellar (Thomson), Bruce Rogers (Thomson), Sue Kay (Macmillan), Corony Edwards (David English House), Peter Viney (Oxford), and Kip Cates (Teachers College), are included in this solid lineup. In your upcoming July TLT, be sure to read their articles to more fully appreciate what they will offer you, including information about their 3-hour featured workshops.

And finally, the conference will also comprise forums, JALT Junior, poster sessions, sheltered English workshops, and a huge educational materials exposition—larger than a basketball court. All of these various events can help you the next school day in the classroom.

Of course, as past attendees know so very well, JALT's international conferences have always offered a wide array of events that will allow you to network, renew old friendships, and meet new likeminded people. There are parties galore and other outstanding opportunities that provide you with benefits that will endure long after JALT2004 is finished.

Rich Porter
Conference Chair, JALT2004

The Language TeacherJune 2004

Time is Now to Look Forward to JALT2004

Rich Porter

Perspectives

The Language Teacher
June 2004