Gaby Benthien
Shumei University / Chuo University
I was was born in Germany and immigrated to Australia when I was 12 years old. I began my teaching career teaching Japanese as a foreign language and P.E. at a secondary school in Australia. My interest in Japan and teaching ESL/EFL took me to Japan for the first time in 1996 (working holiday mainly spent teaching at Eikaiwa schools and companies), and then as an ALT at a junior high school and elementary school from 1999 before moving into tertiary education in 2005. I am now teaching a variety of subjects at tertiary level, including primary school English, primary school teaching methodology and cross-cultural understanding. My research interests include L2 motivation, study abroad and teacher development.
Sessions
Preservice Teachers: Practice and Reflection
This presentation reports on two key components to establish a community of practice among non-English elementary preservice teachers: practice and reflection. L2 teacher practice is achieved through complementary theory, practice and discussion sessions, which offer the preservice teachers the opportunity to establish and explore their L2 teacher identity. Reflection is encouraged through the use of the elementary Japanese Portfolio of Student Language Teachers (JPOSTL) currently being developed and trialled by the JACET English Education SIG.