Amanda Yoshida
Kanda University of International Studies
I have been working in Japan for nearly 20 years, first at the high school level and currently at the tertiary level. I teach Media English and Academic Writing at Kanda University of International Studies. My research interests include reflective practices, teacher development, and of course, action research. I have been active with JALT since 2014 as both a volunteer and presenter. My volunteer activities have included editor of the Teacher Development SIG journal, reviewer for the JALT Conference Proceedings, and co-editor of the JALT handbook, which is in digital form this year.
Sessions
A Coordinated Action Research Program
A panel of teacher-researchers will discuss their experiences designing and implementing action research in the Japanese EFL university context. Topics include exploratory practice in a reading and writing class, learner reflections on leadership skills in group work, providing optimum scaffolding for reading circles, and addressing learner reticence to speak English in the classroom. Discussants will share reflections on receiving guidance from an expert researcher, group meetings, project design, ethical practices, and classroom experiences.