ELI at Kanda University of International Studies

ELI Senior Lecturer, Joachim Castellano, was selected to represent Japan as an Apple Distinguished Educator (ADE). The ADE Program has been running since 1994 and exists to recognize and support visionary and innovative educators. Joachim recently attended a conference in Bali, Indonesia where he participated in workshops and seminars related to the role of technology in education. On his return, he kindly ran a workshop for colleagues where we learned some practical iPad tricks that we can use with our students.

When asked about his experience, he told us: “The best thing about the ADE Institute was meeting dedicated educators worldwide and hearing about their innovative and inspirational practices. I realized that it is not technology alone that’s transformational: it’s the teachers use of technology that can revolutionize learning.”

Learn more about this group of innovative educators online at: http://www.apple.com/education/apple-distinguished-educator/

Joachim Castellano at the ADE conference (photo by Daniel Woo)

The English Language Institute (ELI) of Kanda University of International Studies (http://kandaeli.com) has openings for learning advisors. These lecturer positions are for a two-year period commencing April 2013. Applicants should have a background in TESOL/TEFL/Applied linguistics or a related field. There may be options to renew the contract once making a total of four years. Deadline: January 7th, 2013.

THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE INSTITUTE

The English Language Institute (ELI) was founded in 1989 with 4 full-time members. Since that time it has grown to its current complement of 70 lecturers comprising 60 teachers and 10 learning advisors who have been recruited from around the world. Teachers develop and teach a variety of English proficiency courses, while Learning Advisors provide a range of services through the Self-Access Learning Centre (SALC) [http://www.kandagaigo.ac.jp/kuis/salc/] to promote and encourage learners to become more responsible for their own learning. The ELI is located in a custom-designed, state-of-the-art building which features the award-winning SALC, the Media Education Centre, the ELI Lounge, and Blended Learning Spaces – flexible classrooms in which multi-media can be used to help facilitate instruction.

Members of the ELI are involved in the following types of activity:

Teaching

Teachers are responsible for teaching English proficiency courses, mainly to first and second year students. A small number of English as a Second Foreign Language classes for other language majors are also taught.

Advising

Advising in language learning involves the practices and processes of developing language learner autonomy. Learning advisors (LAs) work with students on personally relevant aspects of their language learning. Advising can occur in one-to-one meetings with learners, in written form via self-directed learning modules, or in classes or workshops specially designed to develop an awareness of the language learning process.

Research

Teachers and learning advisors are assigned to one of the ongoing institutional research projects housed within the ELI. These are collaborative research projects led by a coordinator(s) and typically consist of 7-8 people. These projects are, for the most part, concerned with the systematic development and trialling of instructional materials to be used within and/or outside of the classroom, and research into practices surrounding the use of these materials. We also have projects related to: assessment, self-access and CALL.

Extra-curricular Student Activities

ELI members work with students in a variety of social, cultural, and sporting clubs on campus. The ELI is a gathering point for students who want to engage in informal English discussion. Some students come for help and advice on both academic and other topics.

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

A. An M. A. Degree (or internationally recognized equivalent) in the area of teaching English as a second / foreign language or some closely related field.

B. Experience in teaching English, particularly at post-secondary level, would be an advantage.

C. A strong interest in working with Japanese students in both formal and extra-curricular settings is essential, together with an interest in Japanese language and culture.

D. An interest and/or some experience with advising language learners would be an advantage, but ongoing training will be provided.

E. An interest in the fields of advising, learner autonomy, self-access, and outside class support for language learners is essential.

JOB DESCRIPTION

Members of the ELI are expected to be at the university for five working days per week during academic terms, normally from 9.00 am to 5.00 pm or 10.30 am to 6.30 pm.

All learning advisors are involved in the following:

1) Working with learners on self-directed learning modules and/or in elective learner development classes. LAs meet students one-to-one, run workshops and provide weekly written feedback on students’ work during two fifteen-week terms per year

2) Maintaining a good understanding of the resources and facilities in the SALC. LAs assist in selecting and developing new self-access resources, promoting the resources and helping students to use materials and facilities appropriately

3) Participating in the ongoing curriculum and materials development related to SALC modules and courses

4) Working at the Learning Help Desk in the SALC in order to be available to advise learners on a drop-in basis for 3-4 hours per week

5) Providing initial and ongoing orientations of SALC services and materials to students

6) Participating as a member of a research team in one of the institute’s research projects

7) Participating in the ELI Professional Development Programme

8) Attending scheduled weekly meetings and activities of the ELI and other special meetings which may be called from time to time

9) Attending special ceremonies and events conducted by the university including entrance exams and ceremonies, for example: the Entrance Ceremony, the Graduation Ceremony and the Open Campus Day in July

10) Participating in functions organized by the ELI including the Freshman Welcome Party and the administrations of the Kanda Assessment Project (KAP)

11) Cooperating with the Public Relations section of the university in the promotion of the university to high schools students and other interested parties.

EMOLUMENTS

1. Gross annual amount including bonuses (before tax): Years 1 & 2: ¥ 5,000,000

2. The salary is payable in monthly amounts

3. There are two bonus payments: September and March

Other

1. Private research allowance: ¥ 100,000

2. Transportation: ¥ 100,000 to defray expenses of taking up appointment for overseas appointees

3. Commuting Allowance: Applicable costs of daily travel between residence and University

4. Contract Completion Payment

APPLICATION PROCESS

Please send an email with:

• the subject heading “Learning Advisor Position”
• a covering letter
• a completed application form downloadable from http://kandaeli.com/2012/12/12/advisor2013/learning_advisor_application_form/

Complete the application form and send it (PDF preferred) together with a covering letter by email to:

eli-search@kanda.kuis.ac.jp

For best consideration, please apply by January 7th, 2013.

All applicants will receive an acknowledgement message by email, but only shortlisted candidates will be contacted further.

FURTHER INFORMATION

For further information on advising and self-access language learning at Kanda University, please visit the following websites:

• In 2011, the ELI hosted an IATEFL conference on “Advising for Language Learner Autonomy”. Many of the files and recordings are available on the conference website.
• Kanda University publishes an international peer-reviewed journal on self-access. Studies in Self-Access Learning Journal is freely available online.
• The SALC website provides information for visitors
• The elisalc.org website provides information for students.
• Many KUIS learning advisors have published their work in books and journals. Some recent publications can be found on the publications page.

18 new lecturers joined the ELI at Kanda University of International studies. This cohort is comprised of 17 teachers and one learning advisor. Lecturers arrived from the following countries: Australia, Canada, Japan, Russia, the United States, and the United Kingdom. The lecturers have brought a wealth of educational experience with them. For example, Caroline Hutchinson, of Cardiff, Wales, has taught in Yamaguchi prefecture high schools on the JET Programme, in Budapest, Hungary as a business English teacher, and at RMIT University in Hanoi, Vietnam. Caroline also added, “I used to be a salaryman.”

New members are shaping the future of the ELI with their research interests. James Atcheson, from Forth Worth, Texas, said, “Critical theory is interesting because it provides teachers with a framework to establish a strong link between what’s happening in the classroom and what’s going on in the society outside the classroom, the so-called “real world.”

The management team has changed as well. Dr. Paul Lyddon joined the ELI as the assistant director of curriculum. Dr. Michael Torpey retired and Assistant Director Phil Murphy has been promoted to the Director of the ELI.

2012 marks Phil’s 15th year here. Dr. Murphy explained his top goal as, “to help create the optimal environment for students to develop as language learners and lecturers to grow professionally whether it be teaching, advising, and/or researching.”

The first semester is nearly done. Shawn Hupka, from Windsor, Ontaria comments, “So far, Kanda’s been great. It’s exciting to share ideas and work with so many instructors from all over the world,” said Shawn cheerfully.

Shawn Hupka and Caroline Hutchinson, new ELI lecturers.

The English Language Institute (ELI) of Kanda University of International Studies (http://kandaeli.com/) has an opening for the position of Assistant Director of the ELI.

Job summary and purpose: To take a leadership role as part of the ELI senior management team, offering expertise in a relevant area of language education management. Deadline: August 1st, 2012.

More details (PDF)

Download application form (.doc)

NOTE: We are still seeking applicants for the learning advisor position for April 2013. We are no longer accepting applications for the teaching vacancies.

The English Language Institute (ELI) of Kanda University of International Studies (http://kandaeli.com) has openings for suitably qualified teachers of English as a foreign language and also for learning advisors. These lecturer positions are for a two-year period commencing April 2013. There may be options to renew the contract once making a total of four years. Deadline: September 1st, 2012. Read the rest of this entry »

Kanda University of International Studies hosted the Advising for language learner autonomy: A Learner Autonomy SIG event last Saturday, November 12th. The conference focused on language advising. Conference convener Dr. Jo Mynard added, “As far as I know, there has not been an event dedicated to advising in eleven years, so the time was definitely right for this conference.”

Plenary speakers included University of Birmingham’s Lucy Cooker and Macquarie University’s Dr. Chris Candlin. Aside from the main speakers, there were eighteen presentations, one workshop, ten posters and ten virtual presenters, who beamed their talks in from remote locations around the world. Talks focused on the field of advising for language learner autonomy. Although most delegates were from Japan, others hailed from over ten countries. “Advising for language learner autonomy is quite a specialist and emerging strand of applied linguistics, so I was really happy that we managed to attract over one hundred delegates,” reflected Dr. Mynard. For those who could not attend, some information, including presentation slides are still available on the conference website. More photos from the event can be seen here.

At the start of April, sixteen new lecturers joined the ELI at Kanda University.  The group consists of fifteen teachers and one learning advisor. They hail from the United States, Great Britain, Australia, or New Zealand with a variety of education and research experience. For example, Tam Roman, from Pennsylvania in the US, has taught in a wide variety of contexts from high school students in Hyogo as a JET (Japan Exchange and Teaching Programme) to Chilean park rangers.

The new lecturers are eager to contribute to the body of research produced at the ELI. Alex Worth, from Brighton in the UK, looks forward to “investigating the Dogme Theoretical Approach and interpersonal relationships and how they influence learner outcomes.”

Thinking about what she would like to accomplish at the ELI, Liz Lammons, a new learning advisor from New Jersey in the US says, “I’d like to have a positive impact on colleagues and students…to inspire them to a lifetime of learning.”

From left: Liz Lammons, Tam Roman, and Alex Worth