scholarly journals Analyzing Writing Tasks in Japanese High School English Textbooks: English I, II, and Writing

2011 ◽  
Vol 33 (1) ◽  
pp. 27
Author(s):  
Mayumi Kobayakawa
Keyword(s):  
High School ◽  
Comparative Analysis ◽  
Writing Instruction ◽  
Writing Skills ◽  
High School English ◽  
English Classes ◽  
Free Writing ◽  
Guided Writing ◽  
English Textbooks ◽  
English I

A quantitative comparative analysis of writing tasks in English I, II, and Writing textbooks was conducted in this study. Writing tasks in the textbooks were classified into four categories: controlled writing, guided writing, translation, and free writing; and 14 subcategories. The results of the analysis show that both English I and II textbooks featured mostly controlled writing tasks and fill-in-the-blank with translation tasks, while Writing textbooks included various translation and controlled writing tasks. Overall, guided writing and free writing tasks rarely appeared in the textbooks analyzed. According to the Japanese government’s (MEXT) course of study, writing instruction is generally related to free writing tasks. Therefore, free writing skills are necessary to develop students’ practical communication abilities as defined by MEXT. These findings suggest that teachers need to support the development of practical communication abilities by proactively increasing the free writing activities in English classes. 高等学校英語教科書における「書くこと」の課題比較分析：英語Ⅰ・Ⅱ、ライティングについて 本研究では、英語Ⅰ・Ⅱ、ライティング教科書における「書くこと」の課題の量的比較分析を行った。分類方法としては、教科書の書く活動を制限作文、誘導作文、和文英訳、自由英作文の4つに大別し、さらにこれらの活動を14種類の課題に分類した。分析結果によると、英語Ⅰ・Ⅱ教科書では制限作文や日本文を見て一文埋める問題、ライティング教科書では和文英訳や制限作文の課題が多く設定されていた。全体的な特徴として、誘導作文と自由英作文の課題の占める割合は少なかった。「書くこと」に関する学習指導要領の記述内容は主に自由英作文の課題と関連していることから、文部科学省が定義する「実践的コミュニケーション能力」を育成するためには、自由英作文を書く技能が必要である。したがって、英語授業における書く活動では、自由英作文を書く機会を積極的に増やすことにより、「実践的コミュニケーション能力」の育成を支援する必要があると示唆される。

Five Portraits of Teachers’ Experiences Teaching Writing: Negotiating Knowledge, Student Need, and Policy

2018 ◽  
Vol 120 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-60
Author(s):  
Juliet Michelsen Wahleithner
Keyword(s):  
High School ◽  
High School Students ◽  
Writing Instruction ◽  
Case Studies ◽  
Comparative Method ◽  
English Teachers ◽  
Teaching Writing ◽  
School Students ◽  
High School English ◽  
High Stakes

Background Numerous reports have highlighted problems with writing instruction in American schools, yet few examine the interplay of teachers’ preparation to teach writing, the instructional policies they must navigate, and the writing development of the students in their classrooms. Purpose This study examines high school English teachers’ instruction of writing while taking into account their preparation for teaching writing—both preservice and inservice, the instructional policies in place, and the learners in their classrooms. Setting Data used come from public high school English teachers teaching in Northern California. These data were collected in 2011–2012, when teachers were sill complying with the mandates of the No Child Left Behind legislation. Research Design I use year-long qualitative case studies of five high school English teachers to highlight various ways teachers used their knowledge of writing instruction to negotiate the pressures of accountability policies and their students’ needs as writers to teach writing. Data collected include beginning- and end-of-year interviews with each teacher, four sets of 1- to 2-day observations of each teacher's instruction of writing, and instructional documents related to each teacher's writing instruction. These data were analyzed using the constant comparative method to look for themes within the data collected from each teacher and then make comparisons across teachers. Findings from the case studies are supported by findings from a survey of 171 high school teachers who taught a representative sample of California high school students at 21 schools in 20 districts. The survey included 41 multiple-choice items that asked about teachers’ instructional practices and their perceptions of high-stakes accountability pressures and their students as writers. Survey data were analyzed quantitatively using descriptive statistics and principal components analysis. Findings Findings illustrate that significant differences existed in how the five teachers approached their writing instruction. These differences were due to both the teachers’ varied preparations to teach writing and the contextual factors in place where each taught. Those teachers with more developed knowledge of writing instruction were better able to navigate the policies in place at their sites and more equipped to plan appropriate instruction to develop their students as writers. Recommendations Findings indicate teachers would be better served by opportunities to develop their knowledge of writing instruction both prior to and once they begin their teaching careers. Additionally, the findings add to an existing body of research that demonstrates the limiting effect high-stakes assessments can have on teachers’ instruction of writing.

scholarly journals Turning the Japanese High School Homeroom Period Into an Opportunity to Communicate in English

2016 ◽  
Vol 40 (5) ◽  
pp. 9
Author(s):  
Hatsuko Itaya
Keyword(s):  
High School ◽  
School Environment ◽  
Basic Skills ◽  
Senior High School ◽  
English Classes ◽  
School Year ◽  
High School Environment ◽  
English I ◽  
Speaking Skills

This paper reports on an attempt to increase students’ exposure to communicative English in a senior high school environment. Despite common awareness of the importance of exposure “to develop students’ communication abilities” (MEXT, 2011, p.1), research shows that activity-based all-English classes are not always conducted. Other research has also revealed that even with classes taught entirely in English, the total hours are not enough for the acquisition of basic skills of English. Therefore, in order to increase exposure to communicative English, I conducted morning and afternoon homeroom periods in English for two years [EHR]. In addition, one student per lesson gave a one-minute speech in English during the morning HR every day. Most of the students reported that EHR was instrumental in developing their comprehension and speaking skills, and at the end of each school year, they chose to continue EHR in the following school year. 本稿では、高校の授業外で生徒が英語でコミュニケーションをする時間を設けた実践例を紹介する。ｺﾐｭﾆｹｰｼｮﾝ能力を育成するためには、実際に英語でコミュニケーションをする機会が必要である。しかし現場では必ずしも英語で授業が行われているわけではないとの報告がある。また、仮に全授業をオールイングリッシュで行ったとしても、基本的なコミュニケーション能力を養成するのに十分ではないという研究もある。そこで、実際に英語を使う時間を増やす目的で、朝と帰りのホームルームを2年間英語で行った。また朝のホームルームで1日一人の生徒が「英語1分スピーチ」を行った。年度末のアンケートでは、生徒が英語ホームルームの成果を実感し、次年度も継続したいと望んでいることがわかった。

"If Only They Would Do Their Homework:" Promoting Self-Regulation in High School English Classes

2005 ◽  
Vol 88 (3) ◽  
pp. 10-25 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jewell E. Cooper ◽  
Suzanne Horn ◽  
David B. Strahan
Keyword(s):  
High School ◽  
Self Regulation ◽  
High School English ◽  
English Classes
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