The Latest News in ELT
January 2006
IPI Releases New TOEIC Edition
ELT wholesale distributor, Independent Publishers International (IPI) have announced the release of a brand new edition of "Starter TOEIC" from Compass Publishing. The new 3rd edition provides a foundation for beginning-level students starting preparation for the new TOEIC format. The book is also accompanied by three audio CDs.
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(January 27, 2006
)
453 Forced to Retake Listening Comprehension Test
(Kyodo) Technical problems forced 453 examinees to retake an English listening comprehension test which was a recent inclusion in the University Entrance Examination. The National Center for University Entrance Examinations stated that 492,596 people took the test for the first time on Saturday. The tests are part of an effort to assist in improving Japanese student's communicative abilities in the English language.
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(January 25, 2006
)
British English is the Sexiest
A poll conducted by eigoTown.com in December found that British English was considered the sexiest English accent group. Over 2,000 Japanese eigoTown users participated in the poll and 50% chose British English accents, next were US accents with 17%, followed by Ireland with 13% and Canada with 12%. Australia and New Zealand came in last with 6 and 5% respectively.
The accents of Tony Blair and Hugh Grant were considered very sexy and Harry Potter helped Britain to victory with the accents of the various cast members doing their magic. (January 23, 2006
)
Job Hunting Seminar for English Students
This seminar is aimed at Japanese students gearing up for job-hunting and for those with study-abroad experience seeking to boost their careers. The focus is not solely on “jobs that put English ability and study-abroad experience to work” but also on what it will mean to have English ability in the coming years and on possible ideas for improving one’s career. Participants will receive hints and guides as to how the “influential power of English” can work in their careers.
The seminar is presented by eigoTown.com and Mainichi Communications. The seminar will be conducted by four speakers from a variety of organizations, and runs from 1pm to 4pm. Fees are 4,000 yen (Advance booking) or 5,000 yen (Pay at the door).
Seminar Speakers:
Mr. Mike Welch / Director Communications and Creativity for the British Council.
Mr. Yoshihiro Nomura / President of the Asahi Kasei Life & Living.
Ms. Naomi Ikezawa / Career Counselor and President of the Platies.
Mr. Robert O'Hara / From the Tsudajukukai.
There are a maximum of 80 places, so register soon to avoid disappointment. All seminar participants will be entitled to a 3,000-yen discount to attend the ELT News/eigoTown International Party which is to be held on the same day and starts shortly after the seminar.
NOTE: This seminar will be in Japanese.
Details (In Japanese) are available on the eigoTown Web site.
Seminar Details
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(January 20, 2006
)
Yokohama Good Samaritan
In Yokohama a Mr. Osamu Mizutani (formerly a teacher) has dedicated the last 14 years of his life to assisting troubled youths to get their lives back on track.
Also known as the night guard-teacher, Mr. Mizutani
conducts patrols at night on a regular basis meeting youths and trying to persuade them to change their lives. He deals with gangs on a regular basis as he strives to dissuade youngsters from being criminals. On one occasion, in an effort to obtain the release of a youth from a gang, Mr. Mizutani had to crush his own fingertip.
As more teenagers suffering from abuse, lack of direction or hope for the future turn to the streets and crime, Mr. Mizutani has a full workload.
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2006 British Council Team-Teaching Lesson Plan Competition
Are you a JET? Do you team-teach? Get involved in a lesson plan competition for JETs and Japanese teachers of English in elementary, junior and senior high schools and win free Virgin Atlantic flights to the UK and a cash prize for your school!
For more information and details on criteria, themes, the schedule and how to apply go to www.uknow.or.jp/lessonplan or contact the School Exchanges Manager at school-links@britishcouncil.or.jp tel: 03-3235-8078
Apply
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Listening Comprehension in OSAKA
Recent news from Osaka suggests that the national university admissions test’s English segment is going to contain a listening comprehension section. It is believed that this change to standardized preliminary exam applications for national, public and some private universities, will also affect the content of English classes at high school level.
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Dr. Nunan On Communicative Language Teaching
Dr. David Nunan has authored a white paper pertaining to Communicative Language Teaching. This is based on a pedagogical method which, with Dr. Nunan's assistance, helped to create the Global English Corporate Learning Service™.
Explanations and examples are provided for the usage and implementation of the method which incorporates seven instructional design principles including: task-based learning, interactivity, scaffolding, pacing, inductive and deductive learning, multi-sensory learning and repetition.
Dr. Nunan is world renown for being an expert in English instruction, and this paper will offer the industry a valuable new insight and methodology. With the ever increasing requirement for English skills, it is believed that this methodology will offer a more viable alternative for companies who are looking for both a time-saving and cost effective method as opposed to classroom tuition.
Offered in 13 languages, a complimentary copy of Dr. Nunan's white paper may be obtained by contacting Global English:
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(January 16, 2006
)
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