LSSLT 02: ELT: THE CASE OF JAPAN

THE CASE OF JAPAN

Veronika Makarova, Saskatchewan University and Theodore Rodgers, Hawaii University

The book is a collection of integrated papers describing the many facets of teaching EFL in the particular educational and cultural context of Japan. The book sheds light on the social conditions in which the teaching of EFL takes place in Japan and illustrates the interactions of language teaching theories with the specific demands of local context and educational tradition. The book is therefore of general interest to EL teachers throughout the world as well as to teachers of Japanese students within and outside Japan.

The book shows the historical roots of ELT in Japan, surveys language management problems in Japanese ELT, points out cross-cultural aspects of ELT, addresses the teaching of major language skills (i.e., listening, pronunciation, speaking, reading, writing) along with the issues of FL content, methods, media, assessment, teacher training and development. Leading researchers and teachers provide original chapters in which they introduce and analyze current teaching practices in Japanese education. The chapters also provide suggestions for improving ELT instruction based on current Second Language Acquisition theories and examples of best practice. The book is not confined to one particular theoretical or practical framework but offers a variety of views on the ELT process.

The volume contains implications for the teaching of English to Japanese students within Japan as well as in other parts of the world.

CONTENTS

PART ONE. THE SOCIO-CULTURAL BACKGROUND

Chapter 1. English in Japan: An overview. Authors: Jiri V. Neustupny and Shin’ya Tanaka
Chapter 2. Lessons from the past: Traditions and reforms. Authors: Richard C. Smith
Chapter 3. A Japanese learner of English: myth and reality. Authors: Stephen M. Ryan, Veronika Makarova

PART TWO. ELT SKILLS.

Chapter 4. Teaching and learning grammar in the Japanese context by Kenichi Yamakawa.
Chapter 5. Variables affecting listening fluency of Japanese learners of English by Akiyo Hirai.
Chapter 6. Pronunciation teaching: Challenges, curriculum design, computer aids. Authors: Barbara Bradford, Veronika Makarova, Stephen Lambacher.
Chapter 7. Between a rock and a hard place: Teaching English reading in Japan. Authors: Andrew Barfield, Robert Betts, Mayumi Watanabe.
Chapter 8. Teaching speaking skills to Japanese learners. Authors: Jacqueline Gollin, Joy Northcott.
Chapter 9. The nature of L2 writing and implications for instructing Japanese learners of English by Junko Okabe.

PART 3. BEYOND THE SKILLS: METHODS, CONTENT, MEDIA, ASSESSMENT, TEACHER TRAINING

Chapter 10. Cooperative learning by Jane Joritz-Nakagawa.
Chapter 11. Content-based EFL in Japan: Diversity, innovation and change by Bob Gettings.
Chapter 12. Task-based computer-assisted English language learning by Kazunori Nozawa.
Chapter 13. English language assessment in Japan by John Shillaw.
Chapter 14. Teacher training and development by Kunihiro Nagasawa. Conclusion. Veronika Makarova.

ISBN 9783895868528. LINCOM Studies in Second Language Teaching 02. 300pp. 2004.