As an asynchronous computer-mediated form of communication, the use of email in a target language... more As an asynchronous computer-mediated form of communication, the use of email in a target language has been shown to be highly motivating and useful. Email is viewed as an informal and interactive medium that provides a genuine context for student interaction in a way that is student centred. This use of information technology and its applications have been increasing in classroom use as an effective way of enhancing learning, especially email which facilitates a shared environment for discussing and collaborative learning (Choi, 2008). Others (Lee & Chen, 2000) concur, stating that pedagogically, online collaboration has the potential to promote learner autonomy and improve writing skills. As Oxford (1990) explains, computers can provide a "medium of real communication in the target language, including composing and exchanging messages with other students in the classroom or around the world" (p. 79). Other benefits of online collaboration for the purpose of L2 writing are numerous and well documented. The promotion of active (
This paper reports on the perceptions of a group of Japanese high school students (N = 125) and a... more This paper reports on the perceptions of a group of Japanese high school students (N = 125) and a group of Japanese university students (N = 255) of English as a foreign language (EFL) about the influence of their English teachers as a factor affecting their own motivation. The study employed a questionnaire to collect data with the results computed statistically using SPSS 19. An independent samples t test was conducted on the means drawn from the five-point Likert-scale between university and high school respondents. The results revealed that university students view their teachers as influencing their own motivation more strongly than do high school students. The chi-square test on a range of teacher-related factors: teacher’s classroom behaviour, personality, and teaching skills, also showed notable difference between the two groups of students.
Although generally acknowledged as complex and multidimensional, bilingual education, when succes... more Although generally acknowledged as complex and multidimensional, bilingual education, when successful, plays an important role in maintaining and developing bilingualism, resulting in numerous benefits to those who undertake it. This essay will discuss the necessary components and principles of what is required to make a successful bilingual program by defining what bilingualism is as well as critically analysing the benefits and drawbacks of such a program, with pertinent examples relevant to the overall present education system in Japan and what support is offered to foreign students and migrants to assist them in maintaining their first language. This paper will also address the very need for effective bilingual programs and what a bilingual individual is defined as. A number of major theories such as L1-L2 interdependency, critical period hypothesis, and additive and subtractive bilingualism will be explored to substantiate weak and strong forms of bilingual education. Other rel...
This evaluation report will critically examine and evaluate a website (http://a4esl.org) specific... more This evaluation report will critically examine and evaluate a website (http://a4esl.org) specifically designed for the purpose of individual language learning from a number of perspectives. One particular perspective to be examined is its appropriateness for use by language learners in a Computer Assisted Language Learning (CALL) context, where according to Levy (1997 as cited in Davies, n.d.) CALL is broadly yet succinctly defined as applications of computers in the teaching and learning of language. A detailed description will be provided in terms of the activities it contains along with a comprehensive evaluation from the perspective of its users. Pedagogical and technical aspects of the site will also be examined. Furthermore, consequences for use by students will be looked at in addition to the site’s inclusion as part of a curriculum by teachers, in addition to the concept of integration.
This literature review serves to inform the reader on current literature on Contrastive Rhetoric ... more This literature review serves to inform the reader on current literature on Contrastive Rhetoric (CR), with specific reference to teaching writing to Japanese students of English. It will examine the historical developments of CR and its present significance before then looking at possible reasons for unique characteristics of Japanese L2 writers and implications for teaching. Understanding the issues outlined here should help teachers to apply classroom strategies to facilitate development of students' overall writing skills through appropriate methodologies and sound pedagogical strategies.
Although generally acknowledged as complex and multidimensional, bilingual education, when succes... more Although generally acknowledged as complex and multidimensional, bilingual education, when successful, plays an important role in maintaining and developing bilingualism, resulting in numerous benefits to those who undertake it. This essay will discuss the necessary components and principles of what is required to make a successful bilingual program by defining what bilingualism is as well as critically analysing the benefits and drawbacks of such a program, with pertinent examples relevant to the overall present education system in Japan and what support is offered to foreign students and migrants to assist them in maintaining their first language. This paper will also address the very need for effective bilingual programs and what a bilingual individual is defined as. A number of major theories such as L1-L2 interdependency, critical period hypothesis, and additive and subtractive bilingualism will be explored to substantiate weak and strong forms of bilingual education. Other relevant social, psycholinguistic and cultural factors will also be discussed as will their implications and how they relate to ensuring bilingual programs succeed for minority and majority language students in their aims and objectives.
The three concepts Approach, Design and Procedure as proposed in Rodger's Framework are considere... more The three concepts Approach, Design and Procedure as proposed in Rodger's Framework are considered particularly effective as a framework in second language teaching with the specific aim of developing communication as well as for better understanding methodology in the use of communicative language use.
This paper reports on the perceptions of a group of Japanese high school students (N = 125) and a... more This paper reports on the perceptions of a group of Japanese high school students (N = 125) and a group of Japanese university students (N = 255) of English as a foreign language (EFL) about the influence of their English teachers as a factor affecting their own motivation. The study employed a questionnaire to collect data with the results computed statistically using SPSS 19. An independent samples t test was conducted on the means drawn from the five-point Likert-scale between university and high school respondents. The results revealed that university students view their teachers as influencing their own motivation more strongly than do high school students. The chi-square test on a range of teacher-related factors: teacher's classroom behaviour, personality, and teaching skills, also showed notable difference between the two groups of students.
This paper critically reviews and discusses the notion of lifelong career development as it perta... more This paper critically reviews and discusses the notion of lifelong career development as it pertains to TESOL in both a worldwide and Australian context. It specifically examines lifelong career development in relation to international policy issues, economic, educational, social and cultural issues, and associated domestic issues. Furthermore, it touches upon major trends and practices of career development within the ESL and EFL industries and how these trends and practices influence the development of career competencies within the targets of industry, namely students. Finally, the paper provides recommendations for the enhancement of career development systems and outcomes.
Keywords: Email exchange, English as a foreign language (EFL), Japanese as a foreign language (JF... more Keywords: Email exchange, English as a foreign language (EFL), Japanese as a foreign language (JFL), students’ perceptions, writing competency, asynchronous communication
Despite the intimate relationship Japan has with English and the enormous resources and enthusias... more Despite the intimate relationship Japan has with English and the enormous resources and enthusiasm that are invested in its teaching, many questions remain as to why proficiency levels have been and continue to be low, especially in comparison with neighbouring Asian countries. Even today with the status of English as the world’s lingua franca and its prestige within Japan, from a societal perspective often the English language is arguably little more than a glamorous tool that is decoratively used, rather than something which is functional and communicative.
As an asynchronous computer-mediated form of communication, the use of email in a target language... more As an asynchronous computer-mediated form of communication, the use of email in a target language has been shown to be highly motivating and useful. Email is viewed as an informal and interactive medium that provides a genuine context for student interaction in a way that is student centred. This use of information technology and its applications have been increasing in classroom use as an effective way of enhancing learning, especially email which facilitates a shared environment for discussing and collaborative learning (Choi, 2008). Others (Lee & Chen, 2000) concur, stating that pedagogically, online collaboration has the potential to promote learner autonomy and improve writing skills. As Oxford (1990) explains, computers can provide a "medium of real communication in the target language, including composing and exchanging messages with other students in the classroom or around the world" (p. 79). Other benefits of online collaboration for the purpose of L2 writing are numerous and well documented. The promotion of active (
This paper reports on the perceptions of a group of Japanese high school students (N = 125) and a... more This paper reports on the perceptions of a group of Japanese high school students (N = 125) and a group of Japanese university students (N = 255) of English as a foreign language (EFL) about the influence of their English teachers as a factor affecting their own motivation. The study employed a questionnaire to collect data with the results computed statistically using SPSS 19. An independent samples t test was conducted on the means drawn from the five-point Likert-scale between university and high school respondents. The results revealed that university students view their teachers as influencing their own motivation more strongly than do high school students. The chi-square test on a range of teacher-related factors: teacher’s classroom behaviour, personality, and teaching skills, also showed notable difference between the two groups of students.
Although generally acknowledged as complex and multidimensional, bilingual education, when succes... more Although generally acknowledged as complex and multidimensional, bilingual education, when successful, plays an important role in maintaining and developing bilingualism, resulting in numerous benefits to those who undertake it. This essay will discuss the necessary components and principles of what is required to make a successful bilingual program by defining what bilingualism is as well as critically analysing the benefits and drawbacks of such a program, with pertinent examples relevant to the overall present education system in Japan and what support is offered to foreign students and migrants to assist them in maintaining their first language. This paper will also address the very need for effective bilingual programs and what a bilingual individual is defined as. A number of major theories such as L1-L2 interdependency, critical period hypothesis, and additive and subtractive bilingualism will be explored to substantiate weak and strong forms of bilingual education. Other rel...
This evaluation report will critically examine and evaluate a website (http://a4esl.org) specific... more This evaluation report will critically examine and evaluate a website (http://a4esl.org) specifically designed for the purpose of individual language learning from a number of perspectives. One particular perspective to be examined is its appropriateness for use by language learners in a Computer Assisted Language Learning (CALL) context, where according to Levy (1997 as cited in Davies, n.d.) CALL is broadly yet succinctly defined as applications of computers in the teaching and learning of language. A detailed description will be provided in terms of the activities it contains along with a comprehensive evaluation from the perspective of its users. Pedagogical and technical aspects of the site will also be examined. Furthermore, consequences for use by students will be looked at in addition to the site’s inclusion as part of a curriculum by teachers, in addition to the concept of integration.
This literature review serves to inform the reader on current literature on Contrastive Rhetoric ... more This literature review serves to inform the reader on current literature on Contrastive Rhetoric (CR), with specific reference to teaching writing to Japanese students of English. It will examine the historical developments of CR and its present significance before then looking at possible reasons for unique characteristics of Japanese L2 writers and implications for teaching. Understanding the issues outlined here should help teachers to apply classroom strategies to facilitate development of students' overall writing skills through appropriate methodologies and sound pedagogical strategies.
Although generally acknowledged as complex and multidimensional, bilingual education, when succes... more Although generally acknowledged as complex and multidimensional, bilingual education, when successful, plays an important role in maintaining and developing bilingualism, resulting in numerous benefits to those who undertake it. This essay will discuss the necessary components and principles of what is required to make a successful bilingual program by defining what bilingualism is as well as critically analysing the benefits and drawbacks of such a program, with pertinent examples relevant to the overall present education system in Japan and what support is offered to foreign students and migrants to assist them in maintaining their first language. This paper will also address the very need for effective bilingual programs and what a bilingual individual is defined as. A number of major theories such as L1-L2 interdependency, critical period hypothesis, and additive and subtractive bilingualism will be explored to substantiate weak and strong forms of bilingual education. Other relevant social, psycholinguistic and cultural factors will also be discussed as will their implications and how they relate to ensuring bilingual programs succeed for minority and majority language students in their aims and objectives.
The three concepts Approach, Design and Procedure as proposed in Rodger's Framework are considere... more The three concepts Approach, Design and Procedure as proposed in Rodger's Framework are considered particularly effective as a framework in second language teaching with the specific aim of developing communication as well as for better understanding methodology in the use of communicative language use.
This paper reports on the perceptions of a group of Japanese high school students (N = 125) and a... more This paper reports on the perceptions of a group of Japanese high school students (N = 125) and a group of Japanese university students (N = 255) of English as a foreign language (EFL) about the influence of their English teachers as a factor affecting their own motivation. The study employed a questionnaire to collect data with the results computed statistically using SPSS 19. An independent samples t test was conducted on the means drawn from the five-point Likert-scale between university and high school respondents. The results revealed that university students view their teachers as influencing their own motivation more strongly than do high school students. The chi-square test on a range of teacher-related factors: teacher's classroom behaviour, personality, and teaching skills, also showed notable difference between the two groups of students.
This paper critically reviews and discusses the notion of lifelong career development as it perta... more This paper critically reviews and discusses the notion of lifelong career development as it pertains to TESOL in both a worldwide and Australian context. It specifically examines lifelong career development in relation to international policy issues, economic, educational, social and cultural issues, and associated domestic issues. Furthermore, it touches upon major trends and practices of career development within the ESL and EFL industries and how these trends and practices influence the development of career competencies within the targets of industry, namely students. Finally, the paper provides recommendations for the enhancement of career development systems and outcomes.
Keywords: Email exchange, English as a foreign language (EFL), Japanese as a foreign language (JF... more Keywords: Email exchange, English as a foreign language (EFL), Japanese as a foreign language (JFL), students’ perceptions, writing competency, asynchronous communication
Despite the intimate relationship Japan has with English and the enormous resources and enthusias... more Despite the intimate relationship Japan has with English and the enormous resources and enthusiasm that are invested in its teaching, many questions remain as to why proficiency levels have been and continue to be low, especially in comparison with neighbouring Asian countries. Even today with the status of English as the world’s lingua franca and its prestige within Japan, from a societal perspective often the English language is arguably little more than a glamorous tool that is decoratively used, rather than something which is functional and communicative.
Book Review: Teaching English in East Asia: A Teacher’s Guide to Chinese, Japanese, and Korean Learners, 2020
Teaching English in East Asia: A Teacher’s Guide to Chinese, Japanese, and Korean Le... more Teaching English in East Asia: A Teacher’s Guide to Chinese, Japanese, and Korean Learners will be a welcome read as a practical and reassuring guide for those in the field of English as a Foreign Language (EFL), particularly in East Asia. With its up-to-date insights and a detailed examination of prevalent pedagogical trends as well as information on English language employment, it provides clear, no-nonsense explanations of relevant underlying philosophies and the expectations of learners.
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