Title: Storytelling - Connecting you and your students to language learning
Abstract: Storytelling is nothing new. Aristotle included it within one of the three pillars of creating effective arguments (Pathos) and it is taught as narrative writing as well as being a technique for building a brand or introducing yourself to a friend. Stories are an integral part of human culture and are a natural way to get students talking and writing about themselves and others. This workshop will cover a brief history of stories and highlight some successes and failures the presenter has had using storytelling in a variety of classes and contexts. Participants will have the opportunity to experience a few of these for various student levels. Questions and discussion will also be encouraged.
Bio: Tory S. Thorkelson (BA, BEd, MEd in TESL/TEFL, Ph.D. (Language Studies and Curriculum Design) is a proud Canadian, who has been an active KOTESOL member since 1998, and has presented at or worked at local and international conferences. He is a past president of the Seoul Chapter and KOTESOL (2008- 09) as well as a KTT member/ past facilitator. His 9-to-5 job is as an associate professor for Hanyang University’s English Language and Literature Program. He has co-authored/authored research studies (see KTJ) and a university-level textbook, World Class English, with a team of fellow KOTESOL members. He writes regularly for EFL magazine.
Title: Designing your own Virtual Exchange
Abstract: Virtual Exchanges allow students to have intercultural experiences without leaving their home country. They are cost effective, allowing equal access to all involved. The benefits for language learning are numerous and studies show the benefits are similar to those of a face-to-face exchange. What is often unclear is how to create a Virtual Exchange. Finding an instructor partner, choosing the right technology, and creating tasks that are appropriately challenging can be difficult. This workshop will detail the SPECIFICS model, a framework that ensures instructors have considered all the variables of a Virtual Exchange in the planning process. This framework will be introduced through the lens of a Virtual Exchange that occurred between Japan and Korea in July, 2023. This exchange involved asynchronous videos, messaging, and a live video call. English was the lingua franca and students were forced to rely on their ability to negotiate for meaning in order to understand each other. After reviewing the model, workshop participants will have a chance to use Flip, one of the tools used for the exchange, and a chance to expand their ideas for a Virtual Exchange through the SPECIFICS lens.
Bio: Robert Remmerswaal is an instructor at Sojo University in Kumamoto Japan. Originally, he is from Canada and is currently completing his PhD in English Education at the Prefectural University of Kumamoto with a focus on the design of virtual exchanges. His other research interests include self-efficacy, motivation, and experimenting with new technology. He has experience teaching English to students aged 6 months to 92-years old. Whatever the English proficiency, he finds a way to keep classes interesting.
Bio: Rhea Metituk is an assistant professor at Myongji University in Seoul. She has a BA in psychology and an MA in English education with a concentration on writing and digital media. She has been an educator for over twenty years and has taught speaking, writing, business English, presentation skills, creative film-making, and TOEIC listening to university students. Rhea has presented in Korea, Japan, and Malaysia, and her interests include media literacy, psychology, metacognition, creativity, and well-being. Rhea is currently serving as interim co-president of the Seoul chapter.
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