Sessions /
Closing Panel #202

Amanda Gillis-Furutaka is a professor in the Faculty of Foreign Studies at Kyoto Sangyo University, where she has worked since 1992. Before coming to Japan, she taught English in France, Portugal, China, and Brazil. She has a Postgraduate Diploma in ESL from Leeds University, an MA in TESOL from Birmingham University (and is a tutor for the distance learning programme), and a PhD in music from the University of London, Goldsmiths College. She feels honoured to be asked to speak at the Pan SIG conference because she has been a member and officer of the Kyoto Chapter and many SIGs since she joined JALT in 1988 (Bilingualism, GILE, ER GALE, CUE, THT, and BRAIN) and most of her presentations and publications have been for JALT. In recent years, she has been most active in the BRAIN SIG because understanding how the brain learns is the best way to understand how we can teach more effectively. She is looking forward to sharing some of the key insights she has gained.

Gary is a web developer, designer, and programmer, and the creator of Eventzil.la. He works as an Associate Professor at Kanazawa University where he develops the online learning program at the School of Pharmaceutical Science.

PanSIG Virtual Conference Committee Chair / The University of Nagano, Assistant Professor / Nagano JALT, President

Louise Ohashi is a CALL/MALL enthusiast who has taught English in a wide range of contexts in Japan and abroad. She is currently an Associate Professor at Meiji University and teaches Self-Directed Learning at Gakushuin University. Her doctoral work and much of her other research focuses on learner motivation, learner autonomy, and the use of digital technology for language teaching and learning. She has held various volunteer positions within JALT and worked on conference teams for JALTCALL as well as JALT’s annual international conference. This year she is JALT2020’s Conference Co-Chair, which will be JALT’s first international online conference. Big challenges ahead! Twitter @OhashiLou

Coordinator of JALT CEFR & LP SIG

Joseph Tomei is a professor in the Faculty of British and American Studies at Kumamoto Gakuen University. He has taught EFL in France, Spain, and Japan at the primary, secondary, and tertiary levels. In addition to his interest in computer-mediated communication, he also is interested in the application of functional/typological grammar to language teaching, practical activities in the language classroom, and writing instruction, and his doctorate is on the use of metaphor by EFL writers.

Extensive reader. Low energy builder. Active Passivist. Passive activist.