16th NEAR Language Conference

Plenary Speaker: Marc Helgesen

Marc is professor emeritus at Miyagi Gakuin and a prolific author with over 200 articles, books, and textbooks to his name. His notable works include “English Teaching and the Science of Happiness” published by ABAX and the “English Firsthand” series by Pearson.

Marc will speak to us about “Happiness 3.0,” focusing on integrating elements of the Science of Happiness (positive psychology) and the concept of “Awe” (as in “awesome”) into teaching. Marc has been a featured or invited speaker on similar topics at numerous conferences internationally, and we are looking forward to what he has prepared for us for NEAR 2024.

Below please find the preliminary information about Marc’s session:

Happiness 3.0

The Science of Happiness (Positive Psychology) has been with us for over 20 years. “Awe” (as in the “awe” in awesome) is a new addition. We’ll review elements of PosPsych and look at ways to help learners notice and experience awe. From profound (Fuji-san at sunrise) to simple things that beg notice: A dandelion forcing its way through a concrete sidewalk to bloom. Birds singing and children in a park. We’ll explore ways to “play” with these in our English classes.

15th NEAR Language Conference 2023

The 15th NEAR Language Conference was held face-to-face once again at the University of Niigata Prefecture, Niigata City on 2 September 2023. The conference was attended by both chapter members and participants from other prefectures. This year's conference was co-sponsored by JALT Nagano chapter who were also in Niigata. On behalf of the committee, thank you everyone for your support for this year's conference and we look forward to seeing you again next year.

Conference theme: What is the Future of Language Learning?

The NEAR Language Conference 2023 looks at the future of language learning, both in the classroom and beyond. In what directions are language teaching and learning headed? What will remain important, and what will become important? How will teachers and students be affected by changes- and how will they create change?

Plenary session: May Kyaw Oo

Title: Advocating for Transformative Change: Addressing Nativespeakerism, Social Justice, Diversity, and Equity in ELT

Abstract: In this talk, I will address nativespeakerism, social justice, diversity, and equity issues in the ELT landscape of Japan and Southeast Asian countries. My talk will call upon ELT professionals to become advocates for transformative change. Highlighting the consequences of nativespeakerism, I will explore the need for allyship and solidarity within and beyond the classroom. I will also share my journey of activism to challenge discriminatory practices in ELT and DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) Committee’s efforts in making JALT a more equitable association for teachers as incoming chair of the DEI committee. Additionally, I'll touch upon how activism in ELT influenced my role as an art activist for Myanmar, emphasizing the interconnectedness of art and social justice efforts. In line with that, this talk will extend its focus on the importance of integrating social justice themes to foster socially conscious and empowered learners in inclusive ELT classrooms. I will also share practical strategies for promoting allyship and activism with the hope that it will empower educators to act in their institutions and communities and inspire their students and themselves to become citizens with a strong sense of civic agency. By collectively addressing these issues, I hope that this talk will further motivate participants to work towards a more just and equitable world.

14th NEAR Language Education Conference 2022

NEAR Language Education Conference 2022 is co-sponsored by JALT Niigata and GILE SIG. It aims to bring together language teaching and topics related to environments. Both the environment outside the classroom, and the one within. This conference will provide a space for discussion and collaboration for anyone who is interested in improving their teaching environment, or the environment we live in. This year's NEAR conference is online.

Plenary Session: Christopher Graham

Title: English Language Teaching and Climate Change. What’s the connection, what’s happening across our global community and what can I do?

Abstract: The climate emergency is a global catastrophe that involves us all, and the international English language teaching community is no exception. This talk will commence by looking at the interface between the climate crisis and ELT in terms of both the negative impacts of some of our behaviours on the environment, and the opportunities we have to integrate climate change education into our lessons. It will continue by focussing on some examples around the world of how ELT practitioners are engaging with the crisis, and will end by suggesting some guidelines you can use to approach the topics in your classes and across your institution.

About the plenary speaker

Christopher Graham holds a degree in Politics from Warwick university, a Cambridge DELTA and is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts. He is a freelance English language teaching consultant, teacher educator and author based in the UK. He has worked in the field since 1981 in over 30 countries for the British Council, ministries of education and international publishers.

He was one of the founders of ELT Footprint, a 2020 ELTons Award winner, and is currently working on research, materials writing and media activities around ELT and climate change for the British Council as part of the Climate Action in Language Education project. He has recently published books for teachers around 21 st Century Skills and ELT and Climate Change.