Content-Based Instruction for Advanced Japanese
The Alliance of Associations of Teachers of Japanese offered its course "Content-Based Instruction for Advanced Japanese: Course Development and Language Training" for the third time in early 2011.
In the six-week CBI course, which is open to both native and non-native-speaking teachers of Japanese, participants learn about and create content-based instruction (CBI) lessons that develop both advanced reading skills and cultural knowledge of students. The course enhances both the language proficiency and the pedagogy repertoire of the participating teachers.
Description: The course consists of three parts: (1) principles of CBI, (2) curriculum development for CBI, and (3) instructional strategies for CBI. The course utilizes existing materials as examples, but hands-on experience is emphasized, and course participants are required to create their own materials to be used in their classes. Participants work on assigned readings and lectures independently and also engage in collaborative learning, working in pairs or groups that include both native and non-native-speaking teachers. Assignments and evaluations are individualized to accommodate the differing needs of the participants. Participants will be asked for permission to share the materials they create (via the Alliance website) with the broader Japanese language education community after the end of the course.
Instructor: Eiko Ushida, University of California, San Diego.
Schedule: This course is delivered entirely online. Participants are expected to spend at least five hours a week on average on coursework: one hour for reading, one hour listening to an online lecture, one hour in real-time group discussion, and a minimum of two hours on materials development.
Materials: Selected reading materials will be made available online.
Language: English: reading materials, lectures (slides);
Japanese: lectures (talks, scripts), group discussions (switch to English if necessary);
English or Japanese: sample materials, reflection journal, pair project, correspondence, manuals.
Credit and Grading: Two units of graduate credit will be made available for those who wish it, through the University of Colorado's School of Continuing Education and Professional Studies, at a cost of $120. Those participants who elect to receive credit will receive grades for the course; grades will be based on participation, materials development projects, completion of assigned readings, and self/peer evaluation. All participants who complete the course will receive a certificate of completion from AATJ/JOINT.
Fees: The fee for the course is $75*, payable after enrollment is confirmed.
Cancellation Policy: Participation in this course requires a commitment to devote several hours a week to real-time online collaborative work with classmates and instructors. Time will be devoted at the beginning to making sure that participants are familiar with interactive technology and can use it comfortably. If a participant is forced to withdraw for unavoidable reasons once the course has begun, his or her enrollment fees cannot be refunded.
Required Technical Background for Participants: Participants should be familiar with basic Internet features such as looking for information, reading online materials, downloading materials, sending and receiving emails, and online chatting. Experience with using Skype (voice and/or webcam) and a collaborative editing tool like Google Docs or wiki would be a plus. A fast Internet connection (Ethernet or wireless) will be needed to work on various online activities; dial-up modem connection is not recommended. Participants who do not have a webcam and microphone built into their computers will need to purchase one for course participation (the cost for this equipment is usually about $25). You will also need a pair of earphones to plug into your computer.
* JOINT program course fees can be kept low thanks to the support of several organizations: the Japan Foundation, the Shoyu Club, and the Toshiba International Foundation.
