This panel provides an opportunity to take a look at the important ways in which language learners are supported from outside the classroom by professionals who are not necessarily language instructors. Taking a multidisciplinary approach, this diverse group of panelists discuss various aspects of supporting colleagues and language learners psychologically, theoretically and practically outside the classroom. Although we may be dealing with many of the same issues, professionals working as advisors, mentors, counsellors, technology specialists, tutors, and librarians often operate independently and have their own resources and networks. This forum provides an opportunity for professionals in diverse contexts to share insights into their practice, learn from each other, and identify overlapping themes in the ways in which we work with language learners and each other.
The panelists will address some of the following important questions:
- How can professionals from different fields work interdependently to best support our learners?
- What are some of the best ways to educate and mentor colleagues in our fields?
- What specialist support do language learners need? How can this support be offered?
- How can we promote autonomy in our learners and also in our colleagues?
- What are some of the future directions for learner support?
The panel is an example of how an international, intercultural, and interdisciplinary conference such as this has the potential to bring us together to support and learn from one other.
Panelists
Yasmin Dean
Mount Royal University, Canada
Satoko Kato
Kanda University of International Studies, Japan
Jennie Roloff Rothman
Kanda University of International Studies, Japan
Mary Sengati-Zimba
Zayed University, United Arab Emirates (UAE)
Moderators
Jo Mynard
Kanda University of International Studies, Japan
Ted O’Neill
Gakushuin University, Japan
