The Storytelling and English Workshop Osaka 2005
Sunday, May 22nd 10:00-5:00
When I started teaching English in Osaka Fu high schools six
years ago, I soon realized that generally, my students had low
ability and low motivation. I have looked for ways to improve the
English ability and enthusiasm of my students. I have seen the
most success in the obvious method that is used naturally by all
native speakers and high level foreign speakers—all good
speakers read a lot. Through reading good stories, our ability to
understand ourselves better, use our imaginations, and empathize
with others is enhanced. These are the skills that will help
students help themselves as they search for meaning and
happiness in their lives as they move toward university and
become adults. As to learning English, research shows that
students will remember vocabulary better if it is included in an
enjoyable story rather than a list of words in a grammar lesson
This workshop will bring together experts in research, materials
creation, teaching, and publishing to share ideas and ways to help
us improve the English ability of our students. Our focus is to
support teachers to help their students acquire the beginning
levels of fluency in English. The key is to help students to become
independent learners.
Besides enjoying talking with a wonderful multi-lingual group of
people, all guests are invited to tour the amazing facilities at the
YMCA International Elementary and Junior High School.
All teachers from all areas are welcome! Feel comfortable to share
your ideas in Japanese or English. Please invite teachers you
think would also be interested.
Please sign up today!, (Please sign up BEFORE May 16th)
Steven Thompson, M. Ed., OFSET Teachers Union President,
Teacher at Kadoma Namihaya HS
Presenters
1. Dr. Beniko Mason, Shitennoji International Buddhist
University Associate Professor, is an expert in Extensive Reading
and The Natural Approach language method. She uses
storytelling and extensive reading in her language program. She
collaborates with Dr. Stephen Krashen, who is well-known for his
Comprehension Theory.
For her research articles refer to: www.benikomason.net
For correspondence: benikomason@hotmail.com
2. Rex Tanimoto, Osaka Gakuin University, Associate
Professor, Digital English Center (DEC). His specialty is digital
storytelling productions. He enjoys writing, narrating, and recording
stories and designing language skills activities for them. His
publications include The Storyteller, Uncle Rex’s Storytelling Time,
and Digi Tales I. trex@utc.osaka-gu.ac.jp
3. Multi-lingual Materials Development Group: English,
Japanese, Chinese, Korean, Tagalog, Thai, Spanish and
Portuguese. steven_sensei@yahoo.com
Place
YMCA International School, JR/Chuo Bentencho, ORC 200
Building, 8F Phone: 06 4395-1002 (Map: http://www.oyis.
org/main/contact_us.htm)
Cost
The cost will be only 2,000 yen for the day.
(JALT and Union Members will receive a 50% discount.
Presenters are free.)
Please Pre-Register. (Limit is 50 people) We will confirm your
registration by e-mail, but please include a telephone number in
case there are contact problems.
Reading Is Independence!
Steven Thompson
Tel/Fax: 072-885-3856
E-mail: steven_sensei@yahoo.com
Cell: 090-1226-2317
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Wonderful Sponsors and Supporters
OFSET Teachers Union Kirihara Shoten
Nikyoso Teachers Union Macmillan Languagehouse
YMCA International School Nellie’s Bookstore
Oxford University Press Pearson/Longman/Penguin
ABAX R.I.C.
Cambridge (potential) Scholastic
David English House (potential) Thomson Learning
JALT Junior and Senior High School SIG (potential)
Research Opportunity:
Improve your English by joining our research group. Participants
will take a pre-test, read 100 books during 10 months and then
take a post-test. The purpose is to better understand language
acquisition. –Steven Thompson steven_sensei@yahoo.com
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NET Workshops 2004-2005
Kadoma City JHS Workshop February 16, 2005
Toyonaka School Workshop February 2, 2005
Takii Elementary School Workshop August 26, 2004
Daito City Workshop June 28, 2004
Selected Feedback
“Very organized presentation. Great opportunity for teachers to
know teaching ideas and available teaching materials for junior
high school teachers.”-Katherine Mackay, Longman Representative
“I learned a lot today. Especially I like the clock game. I’d like to
try this…” –Hirahara sensei, Moriguchi 1 JHS
自分の中の英語を話す時に、いつでも邪魔をする壁（障害）がワークショップによっ
て取れた。教材の写真が大きくて、素晴しい。日本の国語教育にも、こんなものがた
くさん欲しい。（現状は、ほとんどない。）
-Kimura sensei, Moriguchi Takii Elementary School
『間違えてもいい、とにかく英語を話してみよう！』という雰囲気があり、リラック
スして取り組めた。教材もたくさん見せていただき、参考になった。
-Masuda sensei, Moriguchi Takii Elementary School
最後の劇は、小学生でも楽しめるかなと思いました。意味は分からなくても、繰り返
し人の言ってる事を聞いて、前で言えた時はとても嬉しいと思います。
-Sumida sensei, Moriguchi Takii Elementary School
今回のワークショップを受けて、しばらく行ってなかった外国に旅行に行きたくなっ
た。- Moriguchi Takii Elementary School
I learned about Krashen’s theory when I was in university. I have
almost forgotten but I’m interested in his theory now. I want to
learn about the Natural Approach. –Tominaga Sensei, Toyonaka 5
JHS
It was fun to use E-Cards. It is important for us to help students to
relax. –Kawamura sensei Toyonaka 12 JHS
今回の様に、色々な教材を見せてもらえると嬉しいです。
–Haruyo Sonoda sensei, Toyonaka 3 JHS
会話しながら学習できたので、生きた英語を学べる様に思いました。–Natsuki
Kataoka sensei, Sennari Elementary School
定期的に数回にわたってワークショプができたら、もっといいなぁと思いました。–
Natsuki Kataoka sensei, Sennari Elementary School
絵本や簡単な読み物など、なじみの深い作品が英訳されているのを知って、読んでみ
たくなりました。–Natsuki Kataoka sensei, Sennari Elementary School
楽しく、また新しい発見があり、とても良かったと思います。時間とグループごとの
ゲームなどもう少しあれば良かった。–Ishii Takeshi sensei, Toyonaka 4
JHS
子供に自信をつけさせるという事は、どの場面でも必要で大切な事だと思う。高い目
標ではなく、それぞれの目標を持たせクリアーさせ、自信につなぐ事ができる内容で
よかった。–Yurie Tanaka sensei, Takagawa Elementary School
“Material was very useful for real live (English) and it encourages
the students very much.” –Fujimoto Sensei, Suminodo JHS
“I enjoyed your workshop. I’ll use E-Cards for my class. Today I
felt as if I were a student. I think students need good pressure.” –
Takeda Sensei, Tanigawa JHS
“I’ve been so exhausted with my school days… this workshop gave
me motivation too!” –Tsunashima Sensei, Fukono JHS
“How can students use target sentences and words with a lot of
fun? This is the interesting point for me. I think I could find a way in
this workshop.” –Yamamoto Sensei, Hojyo JHS
“The stage of junior high school students and that of high school
students are different but we have problems in common. It’s really
good to exchange our ideas and know the situation of each other.
I’m impressed with the material you prepared. Thank you very
much!” –Hashizume Sensei, Hojyo JHS
“This is the first time for me to take part in a workshop. I enjoyed it
very much. I think it’s good for us to get together and do these
kinds of activities. I really had a good time.” –Shimasaki Sensei,
Hojyo JHS
“Smile is really important to make classes interesting. Steven
sensei has a good smile. I learned a lot from you. Thank you.”
Takahashi Sensei, Daito JHS
“具体的な授業案を色々紹介して頂いて、有益なワークショップでした。Ｅカードを使
うというのは面白いアイディアだと思いました。理論よりも実践的なものがいいで
す。” Kimoto Sensei, Nango JHS
“最近テスト範囲に縛られて、教科書を教える時間が長くなっていて、今日のような活
動が出来ていないなぁと反省しました。まず教師が楽しめる活動じゃないと生徒はつ
いてこないと思うので、今日は私も楽しめたので生徒にも良いと思います。”
Shiraishi Sensei, Fukono JHS
“とても楽しいワークショップでした。いろんな人のアイデアや意見が聞けるこういっ
たワークショップは本当にためになりました。”Narita Sensei, Nango JHS
“生徒の気持ちになって受けることができました。とても楽しく時間を過ごせまし
た。”Hara Sensei, Fukono JHS
“子供達が興味を持ってくれるような授業だったので勉強になりました。”
Hosokawa Sensei, Nango JHS
“文法の勉強で文章を書かせることをよくするのだけど、今回のように生徒自身が自分
の考えをもとに作文するということが素晴らしかった。”Hashimoto Sensei,
Daito JHS
“中学生は特にできる子とできない子の差が大きく、やる気、自信のない子に教えるの
が難しいけれど、楽しみながら英語を学ぶための工夫を色々教えてもらえて、私自身
とても参考になりました。・・・今まで出会った中で一番熱心なＮＥＴです。”
Otozawa Sensei, Daito JHS
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