PIE SIG Podcast

This podcast explores the benefits of using performance related approaches and activities in the classroom and the lives of the people who use them.

PIE SIG Podcast is a education podcast hosted by Darren Kinsman, with 15 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

Darren Kinsman hosts PIE SIG Podcast, a education show with 15 episodes published.

Our AI reads these to draft pitches. Use them as grounding for a pitch that cites a real guest and a specific topic.

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  Episode #1

  Season 2, Episode 1: Building Spontaneous Communication Through Improv feat. Educator & Podcaster David Gray

  Jul 27, 202646 minS2

  Send us Fan Mail Do your students sound fluent in rehearsal but freeze up in unscripted situations? In this opening episode of Season 2 , veteran Canadian educator David Gray makes the case for improvisation as a powerful tool for Japanese EFL learners. He shows how improv helps students develop genuine, spontaneous communication . Although improv feels spontaneous, it rests on clear, teachable principles : deep listening, accepting offers, and co-creating meaning in the moment. Drawing on years of experience teaching in Japan, Gray shares practical classroom adaptations that respect Japanese group dynamics and varying student confidence levels. We explore how improv activities build both confidence and fluency , why humor often emerges when students simply “play it straight,” and why human skills like listening, empathy, and real-time responsiveness matter more than ever in the age of AI. Links : Shinshu University https://www.shinshu-u.ac.jp Mr. Gray's related article, Why Teach Improv? Teaching Improvisation in University EFL Communication Classes in Mask & Gavel: DOI: https://doi.org/10.37546/JALTSIG.PIE11.1-3 The Easy English Bible Study Podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/us/search?term=%22The%20Easy%20English%20Bible%20Study%20Podcast Recommended reading: Bedore, B. (2014). 101 more improv games for children and adults . Hunter House. Halpern, C., Close, D., & Johnson, K. (1994). Truth in comedy: The manual of improvisation . Meriwether Publishing. Kramer, G., & Ploesch, R. (2022). Improvised theatre and the autism spectrum: A practical guide to teaching social connection and communication skills . Routledge. Paradis, M. (2020). Teaching improv: The essential handbook: Your step-by-step guide to teaching short form improv . Beat by Beat Press. Thanks for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, please like and leave a review. To learn more about the Performance in Education SIG, check out our website. https://jaltpiesig.org/ Have questions or want to get involved? Reach out to us at: pie.sig.podcast@gmail.com. To access other high-quality JALT podcasts, go to JALT CALL (Computer Assisted Language Learning) Podcasts on Soundcloud! https://soundcloud.com/jalt-call For tips on how to cite these episodes using APA 7th edition, use the link below: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1uLVARUdviigboSQXkJXfgNm0zNkMsal6brBvwpmTKWM/edit?usp=sharing Intro & Outro song: Unlock Me (Royalty free) Music by Kontraa Studio | UKA Music Publishing LLC

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  Episode #12

  Episode #12: Why Settle for Student Participation When You Can Have Student Engagement? feat. Mari Nakamura

  Jun 22, 202635 minS1

  Send us Fan Mail Episode 12: Why Settle for Participation When You Can Have Real Engagement? Episode Summary Educator and entrepreneur, Mari Nakamura, joins Darren to share her personal journey in English language teaching. Through engaging stories from her career, Mari explores the educational and social benefits of Project-Based Learning and how it creates meaningful student engagement that goes well beyond simple participation. Darren discusses the natural overlap with Performance in Education (PIE) approaches and how the two methodologies can benefit each other. Guest Mari Nakamura MA holds a bachelor’s degree in Sociology from Kwansei Gakuin University, a Master of Science in Teaching English to Young Learners from Aston University (UK), and a Certificate in Teaching English as a Foreign Language. A two-time winner of the Best of JALT Award, Mari is the founder and owner of MELEP (Mari English Language Education Port). She is a dedicated educator, teacher trainer, and passionate music lover. Key Topics Mari’s personal journey and experiences in English language teaching Real classroom stories that illustrate the power of Project-Based Learning Educational and social benefits of Project-Based Learning Creating deep student engagement beyond simple participation Natural overlaps between Project-Based Learning and Performance in Education (PIE) approaches Resources & Links MELEP(Mari's English Language Education Port) Website MELEP 麻里英語教育ポート - 未来につながる英語教育 | 神戸の子ども英語指導者コミュニティ＆教育コンサルティング MELEP(Mari's English Language Education Port) Instagram Instagram iEARN "iEARN is a non-profit organization made up of over 30,000 schools and youth organizations in more than 140 countries" https://www.iearn.org/ Reviewed Papers Empowering Teenage English Language Learners Through Creative Projects (JALT 2019 Post-Conference Publication) jalt2019-pcp-009_0.pdf Junior High School Students' Engagement in Online Global PBL (JALT 2023 Pan-SIGG Journal pp.109-116) 2023_PanSIG_Journal.pdf Thanks for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, please like and leave a review. To learn more about the Performance in Education SIG, check out our website. https://jaltpiesig.org/ Have questions or want to get involved? Reach out to us at: pie.sig.podcast@gmail.com. To access other high-quality JALT podcasts, go to JALT CALL (Computer Assisted Language Learning) Podcasts on Soundcloud! https://soundcloud.com/jalt-call For tips on how to cite these episodes using APA 7th edition, use the link below: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1uLVARUdviigboSQXkJXfgNm0zNkMsal6brBvwpmTKWM/edit?usp=sharing Intro & Outro song: Unlock Me (Royalty free) Music by Kontraa Studio | UKA Music Publishing LLC

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  Episode #11

  Episode 11: By the way…You’re Teaching Drama Now, feat. Educator Gordon Rees

  May 25, 202628 minS1

  <p>Send us Fan Mail</p><p><b>Associate Professor Gordon Rees</b> recounts the moment when he suddenly had to take over a drama class at his university after the teacher suddenly left their position. Uncertain how to teach such a course, he joined the PIE SIG to get some ideas. He never looked back and now regularly uses filmmaking, readers' theater and radio dramas to reach what he calls reluctant learners. </p><p>Tune in to learn what he has learned about what works and why.</p><p><b>Gordon Rees, BA, MA</b></p><p>Associate Professor, F...

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  Episode #10

  Episode 10: CALL X PIE feat. JALTCALL SIG President Brian Gallagher

  Apr 27, 202641 minS1

  <p>Send us Fan Mail</p><p><b>Are CALL and PIE Compatible?</b></p><p>When should we embrace computer technology… and when does it make more sense to use pen and paper?</p><p>Can students use <b>AI</b> without losing their creativity and humanity?</p><p>In <b>Part 1</b> of this powerful two-part series, JALTCALL SIG President <b>Brian Gallagher</b> (Meijo University) takes us on a deeply personal journey — from his childhood in <b>Greenock, Scotland</b>, through his early drama and elocution training, to his time at <b>IBM</b>, and finally to his...

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  Episode #9

  エピソード#9: 舞台から広がる学び、心でつながる —— 斉木ゆかり教授を迎えて Japanese Language Edition

  Apr 7, 202631 minS1

  <p>Send us Fan Mail</p><p>エピソード概要（日本語版）：<br/><br/>このエピソードでは、街頭で絵カードと語りで演じられていた伝統的な日本の「紙芝居」について短い物語をお届けします。紙芝居は現代のマンガやアニメの重要な先駆けとして広く認識されています。その後、東海大学の教授・斎木由香里さんが、留学生に日本語を教える経験から得たパフォーマンスベースの指導法について洞察を共有します。<br/>斎木さんは、この伝統芸術や他のパフォーマンス技法を革新的にアレンジし、学習者に主体性を持たせ、協働を育み、教室での自信を築く方法を探求します。</p><p><br/>パート1: 斉木ゆかりによる紙芝居の物語 <br/>パート2: 斎木教授の背景 <br/>パート3: 紙芝居（Paper Theater）を逆転させる 斎木さんが、この古典的なストーリーテリング形式を「受け身の見るだけ」から「学習者が主体的に創り出す」ものにどう変えるかを発見してください。<br/>パート4: ドラマプロジェクトに関する報告のまとめ ドラマを活用したプロジェクトの明確な概要と、言語カリキュラムへのパフォーマンス統合に関する主な学び。<br/>パート5: ボルドーでのワークショップ：協働が参加者間の距離を縮める  フランスで行った協働ワークショップを振り返り、グループパフォーマンス活動が人間関係の壁を越え、集団のダイナミクスを高める様子を示します。<br/>パート6: 先生方へのアイデア 紙芝居に着想を得た活動、ドラマ、パフォーマンス要素を取り入れ、主体性・関与・不安軽減を促進するための実践的で即活用できる提案です。<br/>言語教育におけるパフォーマンスを初めて探求する方でも、新鮮なアイデアを求める方でも、このエピソードは教室で実証済みのインスピレーションを提供します。</p><p><br/></p><p><b>ポッドキャストに関連するリンクは以下をご覧ください。</b></p><p><br/></p><p><b>語学教育センターの斉木教授がスピーチコンテストで優勝しました</b></p><p>https://www.u-tokai.ac.jp/news-section/46582/</p><p><br/></p><p><b>演劇プロジェクトとしての日本語劇</b></p><p>https://www.u-tokai.ac.jp/uploads/2021/03/11.pdf</p><p><br/></p><p><b>斉木 ゆかり (Yukari Saiki) Research Map</b></p><p>https://researchmap.jp/read0056708#:~:text=斉木%20ゆかり%20·%20基本情報%20·%20研究キーワード%20·,·%20書籍等出版物%20·%20所属学協会%20·%20共同研究・競争的資金等の研究課題.%201.</p><p><br/></p><p><b>斉木ゆかり</b><b>（2019）「</b><b>演劇</b><b>プロジェクトとしての日本語劇： 授業から上演への実践報告」『東海大学</b><b>紀要</b><b>．国際教育 センター</b></p><p><b>https://www.u-tokai.ac.jp/uploads/2021/03/11.pdf</b></p><p><br/></p><p><b>ヨーロッパ日本語教育</b></p><p><b>https://www.eaje.eu/media/0/myfiles/bordeaux/full.pdf</b></p><p><br/></p><h1>静岡キャンパスに在籍する留学生が建学祭にて日本語劇を披露しました</h1><p><b>https://www.u-tokai.ac.jp/news-campus/1357919/</b><b> </b></p><p><br/></p><h1>kami-shibai イメジ</h1><p>https://www.flickr.com/photos/neco299/5320569712/</p><p><br/></p><p>紙芝居文化の会（かみしばいぶんかのかい）</p><p>https://www.kamishibai-ikaja.com/kamishibai.html</p><p>Thanks for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, please like and leave a review. To learn more about the Performance in Education SIG, check out our website. </p><p><b>https://jaltpiesig.org/</b></p><p><b>Have questions or want to get involved? Reach out to us at:</b></p><p><b>pie.sig.podcast@gmail.com.</b></p><p>To access other high-quality JALT podcasts, go to <b>JALT CALL</b> (Computer Assisted Language Learning) Podcasts on Soundcloud!</p><p>https://soundcloud.com/jalt-call</p><p>For tips on how to cite these episodes using APA 7th edition, use the link below:</p><p>https://docs.google.com/document/d/1uLVA

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Recent guests on PIE SIG Podcast. Study who booked and why before you pitch.

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