Teaching English as a Foreign Language in

JapanBy Assoc. Prof. Edo Forsythe

Hirosaki Gakuin University

Navy Russian Linguist & Instructor

English and American StudiesAssoc. Professor

EdD Candidate

Who am I?

Slides available at: www.slideshare.net/EdoForsythe/

This is a green presentation

Language learning theories

Language learning methods

Teaching English in Japan

Today’s Topics

Language learning is a social process.(Vygotsky, 1978; Frawley & Lantolf, 1985)

Communicative language learning theory (Canale & Swain, 1980)

- Comprehensive Input Hypothesis (Krashen, 1982)

- Output Hypothesis(Swain, 1985)

Language Learning Theories

Communicative Language Learning:- Focus on interaction (group work; pair work)- Focus on communication (say what they want)

MEXT’s focus: Teaching students to

communicate in English

Language Learning Methods

CLL in the ClassroomEnglish: not just another school subject

English is a muscle!English is like cotton candy.English is a toy—

STUDENTS GOTTA PLAY WITH IT!!!

Language learning = sociocultural activity

Development must be scaffolded for maximum effect

(Vygotsky, 1978; Frawley & Lantolf, 1985)

Scaffolding = gradually building on previously learned knowledge

So, in the classroom, as you teach one lesson, the next should build upon the previous one.

CLL in the Classroom

CLL in the Classroom

This is… Is that…

I want this / that.

Get Students Communicating

Give students a chance to apply the textbook topic. Review the lesson

as usual, then have the students get up and apply it themselves.

Total Physical Response (TPR)

-Get the students moving

-Reinforces language

-Allows practical use of the language

Knowledge = Confidence

Communicate with TPR

Let students use English practically!

- Introduce friends- Discuss likes/dislikes/hobbies/ wants & goals- Tell about themselves & their lives

Get Students Communicating

Photo by ALT Ashleigh Mooney

Given this textbook page, discuss in groups how you can get the students communicating beyond the textbook dialog.

Get Students Communicating

Teaching in JapanThe situation:

- Not your classroom- JT may not be confident in English- JT may not know what to do with

you- It takes time to build rapport

Communication is the key!

Read and understand the lesson plans

(Consider how to make lesson more active)

Ask questions for clarification(Other teachers, BoE staff, other ALTs)

Arrive completely prepared for lessons

Suggest ideas for team teaching

Teaching in Japan

Teaching in JapanJump in with both feet!

Integrate yourself into your base school

Take an interest in school activities

Remember: You are here to help teach the students English

(Don’t be an unwelcome guest)

Slides available at: www.slideshare.net/EdoForsythe/

Contact me via email atforsythe@hirogaku-u.ac.jp

Thank you

Questions?

Canale, M., & Swain, M. (1980). Theoretical bases of communicative approaches to second language teaching and testing, Applied Linguistics, 1(1), 1-47. Retrieved from http://ibatefl.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/CLT-Canale-Swain.pdf

Frawley, W., & Lantolf, J. P. (1985). Second language discourse: A Vygotskyan perspective. Applied Linguistics, 6, 19-44.

Krashen, S. (1982). Principles and practices of second language acquisition. London: Pergamon.

Swain, M. (1985). Communicative competence: Some roles of comprehensible input and comprehensive output in its development. In S. Gass & C. Madden (Eds.), Input in Second Language Acquisition, pp. 235-53. Rawley, MA: Newbury House.

Vygotsky, L. S. (1978). Mind in society: The development of higher psychological processes. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.

References