Brian Cullen | Nagoya Institute of Technology (original) (raw)

Papers by Brian Cullen

Walsh, N., & Cullen, B. (2021). Materials development frameworks and the challenges of developing learning materials. In P. Clements, R. Derrah, & P. Ferguson (Eds.), Communities of teachers & learners. JALT. , 2021

While ESL textbooks are the primary source of learning materials for many teachers, others favor ... more While ESL textbooks are the primary source of learning materials for many teachers, others favor developing materials to suit their own specific teaching context. Whether deciding to embrace third party materials, or go it alone, a common prerequisite for developing quality materials exists for both mass producers and individual teachers. The creation of teaching materials often benefits from following a framework. This research addresses three areas of materials design within a Japanese context: how well educators believe that textbooks meet the needs of their students, the challenges teachers encounter in materials design, and whether ESL teachers in Japan adhere to a materials development framework. The findings suggest that most teachers are satisfied with their textbooks. A major challenge that teachers encounter in materials design is a lack of time. Finally, a clear divide exists between teachers who adhere to a structured process of materials design and those that do not.

Society of Mental Space Psychology Newsletter, 2017

This article explores goal setting within the framework of embodied cognition and mental space ps... more This article explores goal setting within the framework of embodied cognition and mental space psychology and discusses how a proposed "goal-stepping" process can be used in combination with traditional goal setting techniques in order to exploit the space around our bodies to reduce the cognitive workload. A study of goalsetting in the context of a Japanese university (n=40) is presented and the results indicate that the activity creates significant improvements (p<0.01) in three variables: clarity about the steps involved in setting goals (+37%), level of motivation towards goal (+22%), and belief in the likelihood of achieving the goal (+23%). Participants also indicated strongly (mean=82%) that physically moving in space helped them to identify the required steps towards the goal.

JALT Conference Proceedings - JALT2013, Aug 1, 2014

This paper describes a modelling project that was aimed at investigating the generation and maint... more This paper describes a modelling project that was aimed at investigating the generation and maintenance of classroom rapport. The project used a concise version of a modelling tool known as the Experiential Array to uncover the beliefs, cognitive strategies, emotional states, and external behaviours of three teachers who are highly proficient at generating and maintaining rapport through deliberately taking an interest in students’ lives outside the classroom. Recognizing that rapport is a personal construct that may be developed in many ways, we describe common elements of rapport creation in detail. The paper also functions as an example and introduction to modelling as a useful way to pursue teacher development.

この論文では，どのように教室の雰囲気を作り、保つのかを調査するための，モデリングプロジェクトについて述べる。教室の雰囲気作りに実績のある、三人の教師について調査を行った。三人は、教室から一歩出た後に生徒がどうしているかにも興味を持つことで、うまく教室の雰囲気作りをしてきた。Experiential Arrayとして知られている、モデリングツールの中でも簡単なツールを使って、この三人の教師の信念や気持ち、どのような方法を考え、どのように行動しているのかを明らかにする。教室の雰囲気作りについては、教師によって色々なやり方がある事は確かだが、この論文では、上手に教室の雰囲気作りをする方法に共通していることについて詳細に述べる。また、「教師の技術向上とは何か」を追求する、効果的な方法を知ってもらい、是非活用していただきたい。

Beyond 2-3, Dec 8, 2013

Storytelling has many benefits in the EFL classroom and other learning contexts including providi... more Storytelling has many benefits in the EFL classroom and other learning contexts including providing listening practice, aiding in vocabulary acquisition, and motivating students. In this paper, we will introduce some tips from the field of NLP to help you make storytelling into an even better learning experience in your classroom or learning context.

Beyond 2-3, Dec 8, 2013

From its beginnings in the 1970s, at the heart of NLP has been the attitude of curiosity. When Ri... more From its beginnings in the 1970s, at the heart of NLP has been the attitude of curiosity. When Richard Bandler and John Grinder started NLP by modelling the language patterns of Fritz Perls, Virginia Satir, and Milton Erickson, they were really curious as to how these therapists were able to be far more effective in their communication than other people. This curiosity was their first step in being able to try to see the world from other points of view. It is this attitude of curiosity that makes it possible to step into someone else's map of the world and begin to understand the patterns that make up their excellent performance. So let's begin this article with one of the greatest tools that we have to get people curious… a story:

Proceedings of JALT International Conference 2012, Aug 1, 2013

This paper begins with a discussion of the importance of teacher and student beliefs in the learn... more This paper begins with a discussion of the importance of teacher and student beliefs in the learning process. The main body of the paper offers practical suggestions on how to convey these beliefs to students through the usage of effective language patterns including Yes-Sets, modal operators, and embedded suggestions. Advice on delivering suggestions using analogue marking is also discussed. In order to quantify the effects of language pattern usage, a study was conducted and the results are reported in the second part of this paper. The paper concludes with a short summary of a research study, which was aimed at quantifying the benefits of these language patterns in the language learning process. この論文は学習過程における、先生・生徒の信念の重要性に関するディスカッションからスタートする。文の主体はそれら信 念をイエス・セット、 様相論理演算、 埋め込み形の提言などを含む効果的な言語パターンを使い、生徒にどうやって伝達するか について実践的な方法を提案する。 アナログマーキングを用いた提言伝達のアドバイスについても言及されている。 この論文は 言語習得過程におけるこれらの言語パターンの利益を測定することを目的とした研究の手短な要約で結ばれている。

Beyond 2-2, Jul 1, 2013

Rapport building between teachers and students is a critical component of any successful learning... more Rapport building between teachers and students is a critical component of any successful learning community – a point emphasized by Stevick (1980) when he says, “success or failure in a language course depends less on linguistic analysis and pedagogical techniques than on what goes on inside and between the people in the classroom” (p. 4). So how do successful teachers generate rapport with their students? The present study aims to answer this question through modelling two exceptionally gifted rapport-building teachers using a tool called the Experiential Array (Gordon & Dawes, 2005). This graphical tool was used in order to map out the beliefs, strategies, emotions, and external behaviours of the teachers in this study. The paper begins by examining the concept of rapport and outlining a methodology for modelling. Several figures representing the results and a discussion of the key emergent commonalities between each teacher are then provided. Finally, suggestions on how these results can be used pragmatically to enable other teachers to generate rapport are given.

CT Scan, 3-3, Sep 4, 2013

New Directions, Feb 10, 2013

This paper is a brief description of an investigation into the effect of teacher language on deve... more This paper is a brief description of an investigation into the effect of teacher language on development of reading fluency.

Between the Keys, XXI (1), p. 11-12, Apr 20, 2013

Proceedings of PANSIG 2012 Conference, Feb 12, 2013

is paper presents the concept of metaprograms as a useful tool for exploring critical thinking sk... more is paper presents the concept of metaprograms as a useful tool for exploring critical thinking skills and literacy development. Metaprograms can be de ned as mental processes which manage, guide and direct other mental processes. e rst four metaprograms are more commonly known as the Myers Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI), a common personality assessment tool in schools and workplaces. is paper presents a comparison of data from the U.S. and Japan on the MBTI in order to highlight the di erences in cognitive style between di erent cultures. is is followed by a practical activity showing how metaprograms are useful in examining and discussing people's cognitive and social strategies.

Between the Keys, 20(3), Jan 2013

college lecturer and my own experience in language schools and college EFL classes. We already ha... more college lecturer and my own experience in language schools and college EFL classes. We already had a good working relationship and managed to share the relevant responsibilities. I would also advise anyone undertaking such a project with a co-author to collaborate with someone they have worked with on a professional level and know well.

TRANCESCRIPT Number 57, October 2012, p. 19-24, Oct 2012

Once upon a time, a long long time ago, there was a teacher, a teacher who loved to teach and who... more Once upon a time, a long long time ago, there was a teacher, a teacher who loved to teach and who loved to learn and to help people to learn and change. And one day on his day off, he decided to take a walk.

CT Scan, p.19-20, Aug 18, 2012

So, how was your summer? The JALT Critical Thinking SIG was busy, for sure, with events throughou... more So, how was your summer? The JALT Critical Thinking SIG was busy, for sure, with events throughout Japan to promote as best as we can awareness of the importance of critical thinking in the language classroom. This issue, we will be reporting on some of the ideas we have seen, as well as set the table for the main event, the JALT International Conference in Hamamatsu in October! First, though, we are happy to present a pair of articles from our talented membership. Our first feature in this issue comes from Elliot Patton, who wrote about the exercise of critical thinking in content-based courses. Then Ken Slater will talk about the connection between critical thinking activities and assessment.

Between the Keys, 20(2), Aug 10, 2012

Proceedings of PanSig 2011 Conference, p.68-79, Jul 1, 2012

The 10th Annual Pan-SIG Conference, held at Shinshu University, Matsumoto, Japan over the weekend... more The 10th Annual Pan-SIG Conference, held at Shinshu University, Matsumoto, Japan over the weekend of May 21st and 22nd, 2010 was a resounding success with teachers and researchers attending from across Japan and a number of other countries. We would especially like to thank Mark Brierley and the conference committee for their efforts, which resulted in a professional, but friendly, atmosphere at the site.

Between the Keys 20(1), p.18-20, Apr 2012

Welcome to Writer's Point. This column explores different types of material writing projects and ... more Welcome to Writer's Point. This column explores different types of material writing projects and feature materials writers from around the world. All comments and suggestions are welcomed.

JALT 2002 Conference Proceedings

Proceedings of JALT International Conference 2006, Aug 1, 2007

This paper identifies the difficulties faced by Japanese songwriters who write their songs in Eng... more This paper identifies the difficulties faced by Japanese songwriters who write their songs in English. Data from interviews and songwriting workshops is presented to show how difficulties arise because of linguistic ability, identity, translation, matching words and music, and songwriting skills.

Walsh, N., & Cullen, B. (2021). Materials development frameworks and the challenges of developing learning materials. In P. Clements, R. Derrah, & P. Ferguson (Eds.), Communities of teachers & learners. JALT. , 2021

While ESL textbooks are the primary source of learning materials for many teachers, others favor ... more While ESL textbooks are the primary source of learning materials for many teachers, others favor developing materials to suit their own specific teaching context. Whether deciding to embrace third party materials, or go it alone, a common prerequisite for developing quality materials exists for both mass producers and individual teachers. The creation of teaching materials often benefits from following a framework. This research addresses three areas of materials design within a Japanese context: how well educators believe that textbooks meet the needs of their students, the challenges teachers encounter in materials design, and whether ESL teachers in Japan adhere to a materials development framework. The findings suggest that most teachers are satisfied with their textbooks. A major challenge that teachers encounter in materials design is a lack of time. Finally, a clear divide exists between teachers who adhere to a structured process of materials design and those that do not.

Society of Mental Space Psychology Newsletter, 2017

This article explores goal setting within the framework of embodied cognition and mental space ps... more This article explores goal setting within the framework of embodied cognition and mental space psychology and discusses how a proposed "goal-stepping" process can be used in combination with traditional goal setting techniques in order to exploit the space around our bodies to reduce the cognitive workload. A study of goalsetting in the context of a Japanese university (n=40) is presented and the results indicate that the activity creates significant improvements (p<0.01) in three variables: clarity about the steps involved in setting goals (+37%), level of motivation towards goal (+22%), and belief in the likelihood of achieving the goal (+23%). Participants also indicated strongly (mean=82%) that physically moving in space helped them to identify the required steps towards the goal.

JALT Conference Proceedings - JALT2013, Aug 1, 2014

This paper describes a modelling project that was aimed at investigating the generation and maint... more This paper describes a modelling project that was aimed at investigating the generation and maintenance of classroom rapport. The project used a concise version of a modelling tool known as the Experiential Array to uncover the beliefs, cognitive strategies, emotional states, and external behaviours of three teachers who are highly proficient at generating and maintaining rapport through deliberately taking an interest in students’ lives outside the classroom. Recognizing that rapport is a personal construct that may be developed in many ways, we describe common elements of rapport creation in detail. The paper also functions as an example and introduction to modelling as a useful way to pursue teacher development.

この論文では，どのように教室の雰囲気を作り、保つのかを調査するための，モデリングプロジェクトについて述べる。教室の雰囲気作りに実績のある、三人の教師について調査を行った。三人は、教室から一歩出た後に生徒がどうしているかにも興味を持つことで、うまく教室の雰囲気作りをしてきた。Experiential Arrayとして知られている、モデリングツールの中でも簡単なツールを使って、この三人の教師の信念や気持ち、どのような方法を考え、どのように行動しているのかを明らかにする。教室の雰囲気作りについては、教師によって色々なやり方がある事は確かだが、この論文では、上手に教室の雰囲気作りをする方法に共通していることについて詳細に述べる。また、「教師の技術向上とは何か」を追求する、効果的な方法を知ってもらい、是非活用していただきたい。

Beyond 2-3, Dec 8, 2013

Storytelling has many benefits in the EFL classroom and other learning contexts including providi... more Storytelling has many benefits in the EFL classroom and other learning contexts including providing listening practice, aiding in vocabulary acquisition, and motivating students. In this paper, we will introduce some tips from the field of NLP to help you make storytelling into an even better learning experience in your classroom or learning context.

Beyond 2-3, Dec 8, 2013

From its beginnings in the 1970s, at the heart of NLP has been the attitude of curiosity. When Ri... more From its beginnings in the 1970s, at the heart of NLP has been the attitude of curiosity. When Richard Bandler and John Grinder started NLP by modelling the language patterns of Fritz Perls, Virginia Satir, and Milton Erickson, they were really curious as to how these therapists were able to be far more effective in their communication than other people. This curiosity was their first step in being able to try to see the world from other points of view. It is this attitude of curiosity that makes it possible to step into someone else's map of the world and begin to understand the patterns that make up their excellent performance. So let's begin this article with one of the greatest tools that we have to get people curious… a story:

Proceedings of JALT International Conference 2012, Aug 1, 2013

This paper begins with a discussion of the importance of teacher and student beliefs in the learn... more This paper begins with a discussion of the importance of teacher and student beliefs in the learning process. The main body of the paper offers practical suggestions on how to convey these beliefs to students through the usage of effective language patterns including Yes-Sets, modal operators, and embedded suggestions. Advice on delivering suggestions using analogue marking is also discussed. In order to quantify the effects of language pattern usage, a study was conducted and the results are reported in the second part of this paper. The paper concludes with a short summary of a research study, which was aimed at quantifying the benefits of these language patterns in the language learning process. この論文は学習過程における、先生・生徒の信念の重要性に関するディスカッションからスタートする。文の主体はそれら信 念をイエス・セット、 様相論理演算、 埋め込み形の提言などを含む効果的な言語パターンを使い、生徒にどうやって伝達するか について実践的な方法を提案する。 アナログマーキングを用いた提言伝達のアドバイスについても言及されている。 この論文は 言語習得過程におけるこれらの言語パターンの利益を測定することを目的とした研究の手短な要約で結ばれている。

Beyond 2-2, Jul 1, 2013

Rapport building between teachers and students is a critical component of any successful learning... more Rapport building between teachers and students is a critical component of any successful learning community – a point emphasized by Stevick (1980) when he says, “success or failure in a language course depends less on linguistic analysis and pedagogical techniques than on what goes on inside and between the people in the classroom” (p. 4). So how do successful teachers generate rapport with their students? The present study aims to answer this question through modelling two exceptionally gifted rapport-building teachers using a tool called the Experiential Array (Gordon & Dawes, 2005). This graphical tool was used in order to map out the beliefs, strategies, emotions, and external behaviours of the teachers in this study. The paper begins by examining the concept of rapport and outlining a methodology for modelling. Several figures representing the results and a discussion of the key emergent commonalities between each teacher are then provided. Finally, suggestions on how these results can be used pragmatically to enable other teachers to generate rapport are given.

CT Scan, 3-3, Sep 4, 2013

New Directions, Feb 10, 2013

This paper is a brief description of an investigation into the effect of teacher language on deve... more This paper is a brief description of an investigation into the effect of teacher language on development of reading fluency.

Between the Keys, XXI (1), p. 11-12, Apr 20, 2013

Proceedings of PANSIG 2012 Conference, Feb 12, 2013

is paper presents the concept of metaprograms as a useful tool for exploring critical thinking sk... more is paper presents the concept of metaprograms as a useful tool for exploring critical thinking skills and literacy development. Metaprograms can be de ned as mental processes which manage, guide and direct other mental processes. e rst four metaprograms are more commonly known as the Myers Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI), a common personality assessment tool in schools and workplaces. is paper presents a comparison of data from the U.S. and Japan on the MBTI in order to highlight the di erences in cognitive style between di erent cultures. is is followed by a practical activity showing how metaprograms are useful in examining and discussing people's cognitive and social strategies.

Between the Keys, 20(3), Jan 2013

college lecturer and my own experience in language schools and college EFL classes. We already ha... more college lecturer and my own experience in language schools and college EFL classes. We already had a good working relationship and managed to share the relevant responsibilities. I would also advise anyone undertaking such a project with a co-author to collaborate with someone they have worked with on a professional level and know well.

TRANCESCRIPT Number 57, October 2012, p. 19-24, Oct 2012

Once upon a time, a long long time ago, there was a teacher, a teacher who loved to teach and who... more Once upon a time, a long long time ago, there was a teacher, a teacher who loved to teach and who loved to learn and to help people to learn and change. And one day on his day off, he decided to take a walk.

CT Scan, p.19-20, Aug 18, 2012

So, how was your summer? The JALT Critical Thinking SIG was busy, for sure, with events throughou... more So, how was your summer? The JALT Critical Thinking SIG was busy, for sure, with events throughout Japan to promote as best as we can awareness of the importance of critical thinking in the language classroom. This issue, we will be reporting on some of the ideas we have seen, as well as set the table for the main event, the JALT International Conference in Hamamatsu in October! First, though, we are happy to present a pair of articles from our talented membership. Our first feature in this issue comes from Elliot Patton, who wrote about the exercise of critical thinking in content-based courses. Then Ken Slater will talk about the connection between critical thinking activities and assessment.

Between the Keys, 20(2), Aug 10, 2012

Proceedings of PanSig 2011 Conference, p.68-79, Jul 1, 2012

The 10th Annual Pan-SIG Conference, held at Shinshu University, Matsumoto, Japan over the weekend... more The 10th Annual Pan-SIG Conference, held at Shinshu University, Matsumoto, Japan over the weekend of May 21st and 22nd, 2010 was a resounding success with teachers and researchers attending from across Japan and a number of other countries. We would especially like to thank Mark Brierley and the conference committee for their efforts, which resulted in a professional, but friendly, atmosphere at the site.

Between the Keys 20(1), p.18-20, Apr 2012

Welcome to Writer's Point. This column explores different types of material writing projects and ... more Welcome to Writer's Point. This column explores different types of material writing projects and feature materials writers from around the world. All comments and suggestions are welcomed.

JALT 2002 Conference Proceedings

Proceedings of JALT International Conference 2006, Aug 1, 2007

This paper identifies the difficulties faced by Japanese songwriters who write their songs in Eng... more This paper identifies the difficulties faced by Japanese songwriters who write their songs in English. Data from interviews and songwriting workshops is presented to show how difficulties arise because of linguistic ability, identity, translation, matching words and music, and songwriting skills.

The Language Teacher 23:10, pp. 46-47. , Oct 1, 1999