Description
“Language” and “learning” – two functions of the brain at the core of our profession. For centuries all we knew about how the brain does either was based on speculation. But not anymore. Now we can look inside a living brain and actually see how the brain operates. What we are finding can reshaping the way we think about language teaching: We know that the brain does sensory simulations to make meaning from language; we know that our brains, being prediction machines, have developed grammar as a tool to reduce cognitive load; we know that our brains are designed to work best when they work in concert with other brains; and we know that it is physiological impossible to learn something that has no emotional valence. Some of these discoveries are jaw-dropping, some just reinforce our intuitions, but all have the potential to make you a better teacher. Join us in our easy-to-understand course and find out if you are doing the right thing.
This is a hybrid course. You will watch recorded course content and discuss what you learn with your instructors and fellow participants in a private forum. You will also have four live online sessions with your instructors to answer questions and follow up with additional discussion.
Four live will be held in the iTDi virtual classroom in September. Live sessions will happen at times that will allow participants in different time zones to participate. (Specific times will depend on who is in the course.)
Don’t worry if the time doesn’t work out for you to join the live sessions. They are not required, and we will send all registered participants a recording after the session ends.
Live session dates: September 8, 15, 22, 29.
Time: TBD
Cost: 349 USD
We can provide receipts for research funds, if needed.
Dr. Curtis Kelly (EdD.) founder of the JALT Mind, Brain, and Education SIG, and producer of the MindBrainEd Think Tanks, has written over 30 books and given over 500 presentations. He was also a Teaching Fellow in Tracey Tokuhama-Espinosa’s (Harvard) Neuroscience of Learning Course. His life mission is “to relieve the suffering of the classroom.”
Stephen M. Ryan is busy learning about his students so he can teach them better, at Sanyo Gakuen University. He has worked on the Mind, Brain, and Education Think Tank team for the last six years and is eager to make use of what he has learnt when working with his students; and to spread the word through his writing and presentations.
