The divide between policy and practice in EFL high school classrooms in Japan

Article


Bartlett, Kevin Alan. 2017. "The divide between policy and practice in EFL high school classrooms in Japan." People: International Journal of Social Sciences. 3 (3), pp. 198-217. https://doi.org/10.20319/pijss.2017.32.198217
Article Title

The divide between policy and practice in EFL high school classrooms in Japan

Article CategoryArticle
Authors
AuthorBartlett, Kevin Alan
Journal TitlePeople: International Journal of Social Sciences
Journal Citation3 (3), pp. 198-217
Number of Pages20
Year2017
Place of PublicationSingapore
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.20319/pijss.2017.32.198217
Web Address (URL)https://grdspublishing.org/index.php/people/article/view/855/758
Abstract

This paper examines the current high school English Language curriculum guidelines established by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sport, Science and Technology (MEXT) in Japan, and the teaching approaches that are most prevalent in Japanese high school EFL classrooms by examining the implementation of the curriculum in the classroom. Results obtained from surveys, semi-formal interviews and informal conversations with English Language teachers at high schools in Kyushu and Hyogo,Japan, provide an overview of teaching styles and practices in classrooms, which differ to the approaches recommended by policy. Based on the evidence, the paper will explore what cultural and organizational factors are hindering the incorporation of Communicative Language Teaching (CLT) approaches in the classroom by using a conceptual framework based on Hofstede's Large Culture.

KeywordsCLT in Japan, curriculum implementation, teacher practice, organizational hierarchy
ANZSRC Field of Research 2020390108. LOTE, ESL and TESOL curriculum and pedagogy
Byline AffiliationsKwansei Gakuin University, Japan
Institution of OriginUniversity of Southern Queensland
Permalink -

https://research.usq.edu.au/item/q47q4/the-divide-between-policy-and-practice-in-efl-high-school-classrooms-in-japan

Download files


Published Version
855-1630-1-SM.pdf
License: CC BY-NC 4.0
File access level: Anyone

  • 995
    total views
  • 243
    total downloads
  • 0
    views this month
  • 0
    downloads this month

Export as

Related outputs

Translanguaging: theoretical and pedagogical implications in the Japanese university ESP classroom
Bartlett, Kevin. 2022. "Translanguaging: theoretical and pedagogical implications in the Japanese university ESP classroom." OnCUE Journal Special Issue. 3 (1), pp. 15-33.
An analysis of students' experiences under the 'Communicative Course of Study Guidelines' in Japan
Bartlett, Kevin Alan. 2021. "An analysis of students' experiences under the 'Communicative Course of Study Guidelines' in Japan." Tottori University Education Center Bulletin. 17, pp. 43-63.
Teachers’ and students’ experiences within the communicative language course of study in Japanese high schools: an instrumental case study
Bartlett, Kevin Alan. 2020. Teachers’ and students’ experiences within the communicative language course of study in Japanese high schools: an instrumental case study. Doctorate other than PhD Doctor of Education. University of Southern Queensland. https://doi.org/10.26192/fbtt-tx31
Teacher praxis within the 'Communicative Course of Study Guidelines' in Japan: post-implementation pedagogy
Bartlett, Kevin. 2020. "Teacher praxis within the 'Communicative Course of Study Guidelines' in Japan: post-implementation pedagogy." Australian Journal of Applied Linguistics. 3 (2), pp. 168-182. https://doi.org/10.29140/ajal.v3n2.316
The influence of socio-cultural constructs on educational praxis in Japan
Bartlett, Kevin Alan. 2018. "The influence of socio-cultural constructs on educational praxis in Japan." Kwansei Gakuin University Humanities Review. 23, pp. 73-82.
Applying translanguaging techniques in Japanese EFL settings
Bartlett, Kevin Alan. 2018. "Applying translanguaging techniques in Japanese EFL settings." Asian Conference on Language Learning 2018. Kobe, Japan 27 - 29 Apr 2018
The use of L1 in L2 classrooms in Japan: a survey of university student preferences
Bartlett, Kevin Alan. 2017. "The use of L1 in L2 classrooms in Japan: a survey of university student preferences." Kwansei Gakuin University Humanities Review. 22, pp. 71-80.
Personality profiles, learning styles, and the Japanese student: an exploratory study
Moreno, Audrey and Bartlett, Kevin. 2016. "Personality profiles, learning styles, and the Japanese student: an exploratory study." Kwansei Gakuin University Humanities Review. 21, pp. 73-80.
Japanese teachers' attitudes towards incorporating CLT in the high school English language classroom: an ethnograpic study
Bartlett, Kevin. 2016. "Japanese teachers' attitudes towards incorporating CLT in the high school English language classroom: an ethnograpic study." Kwansei Gakuin University Humanities Review. 21, pp. 93-104.