Teaching English in English · Teaching English in English Recent MEXT guidelines and the ......
Transcript of Teaching English in English · Teaching English in English Recent MEXT guidelines and the ......
Teaching English in English
Recent MEXT guidelines and the increased importance of the ALT
JET Programme Skill Development Conference November 20th, 2014
Chris Valvona
Okinawa Christian University
My background
• JET 2000 – 2002 (Naha Commercial HS)
• Masters ELT 2002 – 2004
• University (part-time) 2005 – 2008
• University (full-time) 2008 - present
Overview • MEXT Course of Study guidelines
• Implications for ALTs
• Creating a communicative environment
Task-based Language Teaching (TBLT)
• Examples
• TBLT and Teaching English in English (TEE)
• Q&A
MEXT Course of Study Guidelines: Core points
• MEXT (Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports,
Science and Technology of Japan)
• First appeared 1947
• Guidelines revised about every 10 years
• Latest guidelines released 2008 and 2009,
implemented 2011~
Latest Guidelines: outline
• Elementary school: foreign language communication
activities compulsory in 5th and 6th grade
• JHS: increase in English class time and vocabulary
requirements
• SHS: “classes, in principle, should be conducted in English”
Teaching English in English (TEE)
Analyzing the guidelines
• Make classes into sites of real communication.
• Not only of teachers conducting class in English, but also of
students using as much English as possible in class.
• Instruction which allows students to become accustomed to
expressing themselves and understanding English in English.
• Grammar instruction should be given as a means to support
communication.
Implications for ALTs
• Opportunity to play key role in school
curriculum
• Opportunity to develop lesson plans, projects,
whole courses that implement guidelines
• Opportunity to work closely with JTEs to
reach shared goal
Task-based Language Teaching (TBLT)
A quick task…
Task-based Language Teaching (TBLT)
• Meaning is primary
• There is some kind of ‘gap’ (information, reasoning, opinion)
• Learners are not restricted in their use of language forms
• Tasks should bear a relationship to real-world activities
• The priority is on achieving the goal of the task
• Tasks are assessed based on their outcome
What I ask myself:
• Is the focus on students?
• Is there a clear point or a goal?
• Can / will students use English to achieve this?
• Is it motivating / stimulating?
• Is it a realistic task for their level?
Some practical examples…
Two broad types of tasks
• Some real-world tasks – Order a pizza – Fill out an immigration form – Answer a letter or email – Organise and publish a student newspaper
• Pedagogical tasks
– Problem-solving – Group decision-making – Creative – Descriptive
Spot the Difference
珍道具 Unuseless inventions
Benefits of TBLT
• Student-centered
• More (authentic) language production
• Meaningful communication
• Mixed-level classes
• Motivating
• Autonomy
TBLT and TEE
• Real potential to implement MEXT guidelines
• Focus on the student
• Teacher as facilitator
• Output is key
• Grammar addressed more pragmatically
• Classroom becomes a “site of real communication”
Thank you for listening!