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ANAHEIM UNIVERSITY TAKES A STAND FOR AFFORDABLE EDUCATION WITH $5,000 ACCREDITED MBA  —Live classes led by business experts lend industry experience to both MBA and DBA degrees — Anaheim, CA — Anaheim University’s new tuition relief program offers a $5,000 accredited online MBA and a $10,000 accredited online DBA to the first 100 new students, making these online programs the most affordable MBA and DBA on today’s market and allowing students to graduate debt-free.  Each of the 6-week business courses that comprise the MBA and DBA programs also include live, real-time online seminars led by business and industry experts, offering students an interactive international experience without having to travel beyond their home or work, and keeping the focus on quality as well as affordability. The MBA in International Business, MBA in Sustainable Management, and Master of Entrepreneurship each take an average of 18 months to complete and are designed to allow students to work full time while earning their degrees.  The DBA programs, with concentrations in International Business, Sustainable Management, Entrepreneurship, and Management, take an average of 2.5 years to complete and are also designed for professionals who work full-time. Dr. Andrew Honeycutt, President of Anaheim University, holds a DBA from Harvard University and speaks first-hand about the value of a graduate business degree: “The self-made business expert, the Bill Gates or the Steve Jobs, comes once in a generation.  For the rest of us, an MBA or a DBA provides a foundation of knowledge in every aspect of business, a set of tools and skills that is transferable and universal, and that allows people in business to communicate from the same fundamental starting point.”  Dr. Robert Robertson, Dean of the Anaheim University Akio Morita School of Business with a Ph.D. from Stirling University in Scotland, agrees, stating that “the burden of debt in this country is an epidemic that leaves some students with staggering loans to repay and others completely unable to consider a higher ed. degree.  Here at Anaheim, we’re trying a new approach, a debt-free, high-quality approach that we hope others will follow. In addition, the lower fee structure makes our business programs globally competitive.  Our goal is affordable excellence.” Anaheim University students and graduates work at companies all over the world.  Trevor Hill, who was Managing Director of Audi Volkswagen Middle East, stated that, “The MBA program at Anaheim University is ideal for someone who’s had some work experience and wants to gain a little bit more… what we call “sharpening the saw.” What I’ve learned from the MBA is that every part of the business is integrated, and… to run a business as a general manager or as the head of a business, you need to know almost everything about how that business runs.”   Suyapa Yaguchi, who was Associate Director of UBS Securities in Japan, agreed, stating that “A lot of the material that we covered has really helped me improve the projects that I’ve done for my managers, and it’s helped me add value to my company.”  Russell Taylor, who is Microsoft Global CritSit Manager, had another perspective: “I like the commute.  I’m able to walk into my living room, sit down at my computer, take care of my homework, and communicate with my professor and fellow students.”  Gilbert Espinelli, who was Pioneer Corporation International Business Education Coordinator, added that “one of the good points about Anaheim University is you really have a chance to network with so many kinds of people from different industries such as electronics, finance, as well as meeting a lot of students from other countries.”  “The students varied, their level of experience varied,” said Christiane Aigner, who was Japan Coordinator for the Embassy of Australia, “from people with not very much business experience to people with a lot of business experience, and I found it fantastic to be able to bounce off each other’s ideas.”  Ricardo Nishimoto, who was Accenture System Integration and Technology Manager, shared that “The guest lecturers are quite impressive.  We had big names in business – in Japan and the world — come to Anaheim University to spend some time with us.  They provide a lot of knowledge, a lot of insight about their industry and about how they work every day.” This tuition relief program reduces the cost of the entire MBA degree program to $4,975, which includes $4,500 for tuition ($375 per course x 12 courses) plus application, registration, and graduation fees.  The entire DBA degree program is $10,975, which includes $10,500 for tuition ($525 per course x 20 courses) plus application, registration, and graduation fees.  Students can either pay for the entire program up front, pay for each 6-week course as they take it, or pay on a monthly basis, which would be $250 x 18 months for the MBA or $365 x 30 months for the DBA. About Anaheim University  Anaheim University is a nationally accredited online institution of higher learning headquartered in Anaheim, California.  The school is accredited by the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC), an accrediting commission based in Washington D.C. and established in 1926.  The DEAC is a recognized member of the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). For more information about Anaheim University and our programs, please visit our website at www.anaheim.edu, or contact us at support@anaheim.edu.

Anaheim University Dean of the Akio Morita School of Business, Dr. Robert W. Robertson, was selected by the Government of Canada’s Department of Global Affairs, as a scholar in the Emerging Leaders in the Americas Program (ELAP). The ELAP scholarship, which is co-organized by the Canadian Bureau for International Education (CBIE), is designed to support the development of human capital and the next generation of leaders in the Americas, while strengthening the linkages between post-secondary institutions in Canada, Latin America and the Caribbean. The ELAP promotes democratic governance, peace and security and prosperity in the region. Countries participating include the Bahamas, Jamaica, Belize, Honduras, the Dominican Republic, Haiti, Panama, Uruguay, Peru and Cuba. In addition, Dr. Robertson participated in CBIE’s 50th Annual Conference in Ottawa, Ontario, November 14-16, 2016. The conference is a landmark event that brought together more than 800 academics, delegates and stakeholders from Canadian and international institutions, provincial and federal governments as well as national educational associations. Many sessions addressed the growing importance of building a global perspective in academic institutions. Dr. Robertson noted that this conference was very important in understanding how academic intuitions are globalizing and why this type of initiative is important. He has more than 25 years’ experience leading award winning organizations in Canada, the United States and Central Asia.

After 11 years of service to Anaheim University, Dr. William Hartley has been appointed to the position of President Emeritus and has handed his position as Dean of the Akio Morita School of Business to Dr. Robert Robertson, who had been serving as Associate Dean. Dr. Hartley will continue to serve as a Professor in the Anaheim University Akio Morita School of Business. Dr. William Hartley’s background is a combination of education, private sector work, teaching and consulting. Holding a bachelor’s degree, three master degrees, and a Ph.D. from the University of Colorado, University of California at Berkeley and University of Wisconsin respectively, he is the former Chairman of the Department of Economics and Business Administration at the State University of New York (SUNY), Fredonia. In addition to many years teaching at the undergraduate level, Dr. Hartley has taught in MBA programs for over 18 years at both Niagara University and Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, and has taught on-line courses for the State University of New York. In the corporate world, Dr. Hartley has had a variety of jobs from administrative manager of the R&D division of a Fortune 500 company to the executive training program of Ford Motor Company in Detroit, Michigan, as well as owning and operating an art gallery for a period of 12 years.  In the area of consulting, Dr. Hartley has worked primarily in management development and in strategic management consulting activities. Dr. Robert Robertson has more than 15 years of experience in academia as a Vice President of Academic Affairs, Dean of Business and MBA program director in the United States and in Kazakhstan. He holds a Ph.D. in Management and Organization (Stirling University, Scotland); Post-Doctoral Professional Certificate, International Business and Leadership (Argosy University); Post Graduate Diploma in International Management-China (University of London); Master of Studies in Law (Vermont Law School); Master of Public Administration (Dalhousie University, Canada); a Master of Arts (Eastern Kentucky University) and a Bachelor of Science (East Tennessee State University). In addition, he has an Executive Certificate from the Sloan School of Management, Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Innovation and Strategy. Dr. Robertson was selected by the United States Department of State Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs to the Fulbright Specialist Program. He has served as Chief Academic Officer and Research Fellow at the University of Phoenix’s Center for Workforce Diversity, Central Florida campus in Orlando, Florida. Dr. Robertson is a Visiting Full Professor at the University of Ljubljana in Slovenia, Faculty of Economics; and, he serves as a Scientific Adviser to the Global Universities in Distance Education (GUIDE) association headquartered at Marconi University, Rome, Italy. He is an invited speaker on international business, strategy, online education and workforce training; and he regularly lectures in China, Taiwan, Vietnam, Kazakhstan, Europe, Brazil and the United States. In the public sector, he has more than 20 years of management experience including serving as the City Manager for the City of Hamilton, Ontario in Canada with more than 8,500 employees and a budget in excess of one billion dollars.

Interview with Winston Bennett, Anaheim University Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) Student Winston Bennett is a retired National Basketball Association (NBA) player for the Cleveland Cavaliers and Miami Heat as well as a former men’s basketball coach. Winston has entered the business world and is pursuing a Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) program through the Anaheim University Akio Morita School of Business. 1. Could you please tell us briefly about your career in NBA?  Winston: I played in the NBA from 1989 to 1992 for the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Miami Heat; I jokingly tell people I helped pave the way for LeBron to do the same. I was the only player I know of to hold Michael Jordan to 4 points during a game… well, during half of a game. The other part to that was he scored 65 points in the second half to end the game with 69 points. So, yes — I am that man who Michael Jordan scored his most ever points on 69 points. What a memory. 2. Why did you choose Anaheim University? Winston: I chose Anaheim at a time when I was trying to decide whether to go to Law School or to pursue a Doctorate. I think it was divine intervention really. Just before I was ready to make my decision I received an email from the NBA saying that Anaheim had a program for retired NBA players who wanted to take the education to the next level. I am always looking for ways to get better, to stretch myself. Once I did some research on Anaheim I was sure this would be a great fit for me. With me putting in countless hours on my job I needed a program that was not only academically strong but a program that was flexible and able to meet my needs as an academic student, father, husband, and insurance professional. 3. What are you studying with Anaheim University and why did you choose the program?  Winston: I am studying to obtain a Doctorate of Business Administration. This fits perfectly with my job where I am interacting with businesses all day long. I chose this program because I felt it would enhance my knowledge both academically and professionally about business, how to be successful, and how to take my business acumen to the next level. 4. How has your experience been so far with Anaheim University? Winston: My experience thus far has been excellent. The staff at Anaheim has been unbelievable; my professors are the best of the best, and very caring. There was a popular phrase that epitomizes the staff at Anaheim. The phrase reads, “People don’t care what you know, until they know that you care.” (Author unknown).  Anaheim makes you feel as though they really care about you achieving your goal of obtaining your degree and moving on to be a success in your field. I love that about the school. 5. What do you do for a living and how is studying at AU helping your career?  Winston: I am an insurance professional that insures businesses on the property and casualty side of insurance. We insure a number of colleges and universities. The program has made me more aware of how business owners think. It also is teaching me how to evaluate a business, what to look for in successful businesses, and what to look for in unsuccessful businesses. The program is also teaching me how to think more critically. I have to say; so far I love the program, the staff and the professors. It has been a Godsend for me.

In line with Anaheim University’s mission of making higher education accessible to qualified students worldwide through both online and on-campus study, a number of new features have been added to the Anaheim University website. These website accessibility features include a screen reader that allows people to make the letters on the page larger or smaller, change the screen color and contrast, and reads aloud the text on the screen for those who are visually impaired. In addition, we are currently in the process of captioning our videos and updating the coding of our website in an effort to increase accessibility and meet ADA accommodations. To read Anaheim University’s accessibility information, click here.

On Friday, November 16th 2007 Anaheim University’s Graduate School of Education launched a three-year alliance with Seoul National University’s Foreign Language Education Research Institute for the purpose of improving English education in the country of Korea. Anaheim University TESOL professors Dr. David Nunan, Dr. Rod Ellis and Dr. Kathleen Bailey spoke on the campus of Seoul National University in Seoul, South Korea. Seminar #1: Dr. David Nunan on “Grammar and Discourse” On November 16th, 2007, distinguished linguist Dr. David Nunan, who at the time of the seminar was President of Anaheim University and Dean of Anaheim University’s Graduate School of Education, commenced this three-year alliance between Anaheim University and Seoul National University by presenting the first of four seminars, entitled “Grammar and Discourse”. Click here to see a Video Webcast of Anaheim University’s President Dr. David Nunan speaking on “Grammar and Discourse” at Seoul National University in Seoul, Korea (Above left) AU Chair of the Board of Advisors Dr. Clive Grafton,  FLERI Director Dr. Oryang Kwon, AU President Dr. David Nunan, and SNU Dean of the College of Education Dr. Youngdal Cho meet before Dr. Nunan’s lecture on “Grammar and Discourse” (Above right) Seminar #2: Dr. Rod Ellis on “Written Corrective Feedback” On Tuesday, June 17th, 2008, Dr. Rod Ellis, Chair of the Anaheim University Graduate School of Education spoke on behalf of Anaheim University at Seoul National University. As the second part in the Seminar Series of the TESOL Alliance between the Seoul National University Foreign Language Education Research Institute and the Anaheim University Graduate School of Education, Dr. Rod Ellis gave a lecture entitled “Written Corrective Feedback” on the campus of Seoul National University in Seoul, Korea. In attendance were students, faculty and the general public. Click here to see a Video Webcast of Anaheim University TESOL Professor Dr. Rod Ellis speaking on “Written Corrective Feedback” at Seoul National University in Seoul, Korea Seminar #3: Dr. David Nunan on “Culture and Identity in Language Learning and Use” On April 23rd 2009, Dr. David Nunan, who was Anaheim University’s Dean of the Graduate School of Education at the time of the seminar, gave the third joint TESOL Seminar at Seoul National University in Korea, speaking on “Culture and Identity in Language Learning and Use”, reading excerpts from his forthcoming textbook looking at the cultural aspects of language teaching and learning. Click here to see a Video Webcast of Anaheim University TESOL Professor Dr. David Nunan speaking on “Culture and Identity in Language Learning and Use” at Seoul National University in Seoul, Korea Seminar #4: Dr. Kathleen Bailey on “English and Plurilingual Skills in the 21st Century Global Knowledge Economy.” On October 13th, 2010, Anaheim University TESOL Professor Dr. Kathleen Bailey, gave the fourth  joint TESOL Seminar at Seoul National University in Korea, speaking on “English and Plurilingual Skills in the 21st Century Global Knowledge Economy.” Anaheim University – Seoul National University TESOL Webast

Anaheim University recently celebrated the graduation of 10 Doctor of Education and Master of Arts in TESOL students in Fullerton, California on August 1, 2015. The ceremony was held as part of Anaheim University’s 4-day TESOL residential session. At the ceremony, two of our MA in TESOL graduates talked about their experiences at Anaheim University and their post-graduation career plans: Ms. Fabiana Seidel Ms. Fabiana Seidel As an English teacher in Brazil, Ms. Seidel has years of experience in the field. She joined the Anaheim University online MA in TESOL program to deepen her expertise while teaching English locally in Brazil. Upon completion of the MA program, she received the Ambassador Award for her outstanding academic achievements. Q. How was your experience at AU? It was a great experience as I said in my speech. It was one of the best experiences of my life. It really made me a better professional, and it made me a better person. I had tremendous learning opportunities. And I consider myself a much better teacher, professional and person in the world today after completing the program. Q. Are you already teaching? I’ve been teaching in Brazil for many years. I live in Porto Aregre, in the south of Brazil. We teach adult students and business people, mainly in companies. I started my professional career back in 1995. The successful completion of this Master’s program just added up to everything that I had been doing, and I’m sure that the results of everything that will come now will be extremely fruitful. I hope to be much happier as a teacher from now on. Wayne Miller Mr. Wayne Miller Mr. Miller has been teaching English to junior and senior high school students in Japan for 13 years. He talked about his dual experience as a teacher and a student while he was with the Anaheim University online MA in TESOL program. Q. Please tell me what you are doing now. I’m teaching at a junior and senior high school in Japan. I’ve been teaching there for 13 years. I love it. Q. How was your experience at Anaheim University? It was absolutely fantastic. The time management was difficult, but the Anaheim teachers and the other students in the classes were extremely supportive, which was the only way that I could’ve made it through. Q. Are you enjoying the residential session? Yes, it has been so wonderful to have the opportunity to meet my classmates and professors. It has been a truly incredible experience. Q. Do you think your experience at AU is going to be useful for your career in the future? I think that it already has been useful. I have made some positive changes to my teaching practices and look at teaching through a new lens. Q. What was it like being a teacher and a student at the same time? It was very interesting because it made me look at a lot of things that I was doing in the classroom. It made me look from a different perspective because I was a student at the same time that I was teaching. Q. Do you think the AU TESOL program would be good for Japanese English teachers who are teaching in Japan? Absolutely. I highly recommend it. They should feel privileged to have the opportunity to do.

Dr.DavidNunan Akira Kurosawa, one of the most influential directors in the history of film, will again shape a generation of filmmakers through a medium that Kurosawa himself might only have imagined: an online MFA program in Digital Filmmaking. Aspiring filmmakers will learn their craft by studying with experts in the field, including hours of never-seen-before footage of Kurosawa on the set, allowing students to go behind the scenes and learn visual articulation directly from the master. Modern directorial giants such as George Lucas, Francis Ford Coppola, Oliver Stone, Martin Scorsese, and Steven Spielberg have all professed to be deeply influenced by the great Kurosawa. Lucas who, along with Francis Ford Coppola, co-produced Kurosawa’s Kagemusha, states, “It’s no secret that I’m a fan of Kurosawa’s work and that his films were a source of inspiration for my own Star Wars saga…. He had a tremendous influence on my life, on my work, and on my sensitivity to visual story telling.” Coppola agrees, stating that “certain great masters have made a few masterpieces, and in Kurosawa’s case, he made about ten. So, he is almost without comparison.” Oliver Stone likens Kurosawa’s presence on a film set to that of “…an emperor. He walked into a room and people… stopped and they looked.” Martin Scorsese, who acted in Kurosawa’s Dreams, said, “Kurosawa was my master and the master of so many filmmakers over the years. I congratulate the Anaheim University Akira Kurosawa School of Film [and] I thank them for paying tribute to a man who was our master, our sensei.” Steven Spielberg, who produced Kurosawa’s Dreams, adds that “Akira Kurosawa has been a maestro to my entire generation and to every generation of filmmakers who watches movies, are inspired by movies, and learn from movies. I have learned more from him than almost any filmmaker on the face of the Earth.” The Kurosawa legacy continues through the Anaheim University Akira Kurosawa School of Film. With the support of Akira Kurosawa’s family and Kurosawa Production, Anaheim University has been digitizing archives and conducting video interviews with those who knew and worked with Akira Kurosawa for some two decades in preparation for the school’s launch. The school was developed in the spirit of Akira Kurosawa, to teach the craft of filmmaking while incorporating the latest advances in the industry. As pioneers in the field of online education, Anaheim University was equipped for such an endeavor, as the University has taught graduate degree programs online in real time since the 1990s, and Anaheim University’s mastery of online curriculum development has made it possible to develop what is perhaps the most advanced film school of its time. Throughout the program, students meet weekly with their professors and classmates in live online high definition webcam classes, where they discuss the work they uploaded and the video lecture they watched prior to the interactive class with their professor. Students also interact in daily discussion forums and complete filmmaking assignments that could range from shooting scenes to editing sound files (most courses in the MFA program have a hands-on component). In addition, they attend a one-week, on-site residential session in Los Angeles or Tokyo, where they will have access to equipment and a moviemaking experience carried out in a professional environment. Students enrolled in the online MFA degree program are required to have access to camera, lighting, software and other audio/visual equipment that meet the school’s minimum standards. For students who do not have all of the required equipment, it can be purchased at an academic discount for approximately $2,000. Because Anaheim students own their own film equipment, they spend more time behind the lens and directing shots than one would expect in a traditional school of film, where there are often waiting lists for accessing film equipment. The Dean of the Anaheim University Akira Kurosawa School of Film, Dr. David Desser, is a distinguished film professor and author holding a Ph.D. from the University of Southern California (USC)’s Cinema program. According to Dr. Desser, who has taught in film programs at USC, UCLA, University of Pennsylvania, University of Michigan, and the University of Illinois, “Anaheim University is poised to play an important role in 21st century filmmaking education. With our unique and exclusive video content, combined with our proximity to Hollywood that provides unique access to major filmmakers, craftspeople, studio personnel and others in the media production and distribution industry, our program offers students an unparalleled opportunity to experience and learn the varieties of film, video, animation, and game production.”

Dr. Andy Curtis In March 2015, Anaheim University professor Andy Curtis was inducted as President of TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) International at the TESOL 2015 International Convention and English Language Expo in Toronto, Canada. He joins Dr. David Nunan, Dr. Kathleen Bailey, Dr. MaryAnn Christison, and Dr. Denise Murray as the fifth TESOL President currently teaching at Anaheim University’s Graduate School of Education. TESOL International is the largest organization dedicated to English language teaching for speakers of other languages, bringing together more than 12,000 educators, researchers, administrators, and students representing 156 countries. As President-Elect, Andy Curtis will preside over the Board of Directors for three years (the second year as President), serving as the public face of TESOL and its representative to the membership and the profession worldwide. Andy Curtis was joined at the 2015 TESOL Convention by Anaheim University colleagues Dr. Kathleen Bailey, Dr. Mary Ann Christisen, and Dr. David Nunan. All four professors were key presenters on issues related to second language acquisition. Anaheim University has provided headline speakers and panelists to the TESOL International Convention since its inception in 1996.

Dr.DavidNunan Dr. David Nunan received the James E. Alatis Award for Service to the field of TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) at the 2015 TESOL International Convention in Toronto, Canada. The award was named for Dr. James E. Alatis, a charter member of TESOL International and a champion of TESOL teachers and their professional needs. Dr. Alatis, who passed away on Feb. 28, 2015, served as TESOL’s first executive director from 1966 to 1987, when TESOL first established this service award. The James E. Alatis Award honors one association member each year who has demonstrated “a genuine and long-lasting vision of what TESOL is and can be; the ability to combine professional and administrative roles in TESOL organizations; the ability and desire to represent and promote TESOL; and efficiency, personal dynamism, and good cheer.” This honor is given annually to one of 12,000 educators, researchers, administrators, and students representing 156 countries who comprise TESOL International, the world’s largest language teaching organization. Of the award recipients over the past 10 years, four are professors at Anaheim University: Dr. Denise Murray (2006), Dr. Kathleen Bailey (2007), Dr. MaryAnn Christison (2012), and now Dr. David Nunan (2015). David Nunan is a distinguished applied linguist and author of numerous groundbreaking textbooks such as Syllabus Design published by Oxford University Press and The Learner-Centred Curriculum published by Cambridge University Press. In 1996, he broke new ground for the TESOL community when he developed the first Master of Arts in TESOL degree program to be offered online and in real time. Dr. Nunan constantly challenges himself and his TESOL colleagues to use their online classroom time for discussion and interaction between the students and professor. His belief that teachers cannot do the learning for their students has turned him into a staunch advocate for the learner-centered online classroom. He puts the power in the hands of the learners. Dr. Nunan continues to play an instrumental role in what has become one of the most successful TESOL programs in the United States and beyond, and he is now supported by 15 distinguished linguists who make up the faculty at Anaheim University’s Graduate School of Education. In addition to receiving his award, Dr. Nunan presented at the 2015 TESOL Convention. He headlined a colloquium on “Exploring Professional Confidence in ELT Teacher Education Content Area,” gave a symposium on “Language Learning Beyond the Classroom,” and offered ideas for developing vocabulary and language structures in “Childhood is an Adventure – and Learning Can Be, Too.”

Anaheim University is excited to announce the next “MBA Virtual Roundtable” will be held on Friday, Sept. 12 at 5:00 pm (California Pacific Daylight Savings Time) / Sat., Sept. 13 at 9:00 am (Tokyo time). The VirtualRoundtable is an hour-long live webcam gathering open to all graduates and current students of AU’s MBA and Green MBA programs; participants will have the opportunity to network and share about the latest developments in the fields of business and/or sustainability. At the MBA Virtual Roundtable, graduates will be able to meet current students and “catch up” with old classmates, and current students will be able to ask questions and gain insight from AU graduates who have advanced their careers after their degrees. Attendees should come to the meeting with one topic they would like to throw out on the table for discussion, but also be ready for anything that may come up organically. There will be a current student and an alumnus who will be facilitating the session to manage the flow of conversation, but all participants will have an active part in shaping the focus of the meeting. The videoconferencing platform to be used for the session will be GoToMeeting, which will automatically download when users click the provided link to join the meeting. More information on the use of GoToMeeting can be found at www.gotomeeting.com. There is no cost involved in the downloading of the software or participation in the meeting. For the specific access information, please contact Leona Owens at studios@anaheim.edu.

Anaheim University Ed.D. Director Dr. Hayo Reinders On Aug. 2, 2014, Anaheim University and Showa Women’s University co-hosted an open Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) seminar at Showa Women’s University in Tokyo with three leaders in the field of TESOL. The panel discussed the common theme “Learners are Different: Catering to Differences,” with opportunities for audience members to participate, ask questions, and meet the scholars after the event. Most attendees were TESOL students or English teachers. Anaheim University Grad. School of Education Dean Dr. Rod Ellis The panelists for the open seminar included three esteemed professionals in the field of TESOL: Dr. Tomoko Kaneko, Vice President and Professor of English and Second Language Acquisition at Showa Women’s University; Dr. Rod Ellis, Dean of the Graduate School of Education at Anaheim University; and Dr. Hayo Reinders, Director of the Anaheim University Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in TESOL Program. Over the course of the three-hour seminar, each panelist gave a particular lecture around the larger “Learners are Different” theme. Dr. Tomoko Kaneko spoke about “Japanese University Students and Globalization: A Challenge for Showa Women’s University,” Dr. Hayo Reinders discussed “Learning Beyond the Classroom: A Research Agenda,” and Dr. Rod Ellis offered a lecture on “Catering to Individual Differences: What Do the Teacher Guides Advise?” Dr. Tomoko Kaneko, the Vice President of Showa Women’s University commented on the entire open seminar experience, saying: Showa Women’s University VP Dr. Tomoko Kaneko “Dr. Reinders clearly explained how important it is to learn outside of classroom, while Dr. Ellis stressed the importance of treating learners as ‘complex human beings’ by catering to the differences of each learner, as well as carefully choosing course materials and providing guidance through learning strategy. It was a wonderful opportunity for all of us to listen to the lectures of world-renowned professors in the field of second language acquisition. The time flew fast and we wished we could have had more time. It was a great seminar supported by the audience’s high interest in the topics. Many participants remained after the seminar ended and continued their discussion or came up to the professors to ask questions. As one of the two host schools, we are very pleased that this open seminar concluded with great success.” This seminar was the first collaboration between Anaheim University and Showa Women’s University, and the response and support were positive from everyone involved.