English language education reform in pre-2020 Olympic Japan: educator perspectives on pedagogical change

This paper reports on the perspectives of English language teachers and teacher educators on the most recent English language education policy and curriculum reform in Japan, implemented in preparation for hosting the 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Tokyo. Previous research has comprehensively analysed how language ideologies based on national imaginaries, native-speakerism and deficit views of Japanese teachers’ pedagogy and practice continue to frame debates about English language education in Japan. Through select thematic episodes derived from the interview data with English language practitioners located in Japan, this paper brings into focus the views of English language educators who articulated insightful counter-positions to taken-for-granted understandings of effective English language use and teaching. The authors argue that in order to effect a paradigm shift in global English language education, in Japan and internationally, it is important to incorporate a critical examination of teacher perspectives that challenge and augment prevalent tropes about English language teaching and learning. The paper concludes with implications for addressing the policy-practice and theory-practice divides in English language education. It argues that a continued engagement with educator perspectives is an important space for bringing about a transformation of language ideologies and pedagogical change at the grass-roots level of the English language classroom.

Foundational Knowledge and Skills in Community Development: A Comparison of Educator Perspectives

The challenges metropolitan regions, cities and towns, neighborhoods, and villages face require community development skills that address complex community problems, engage multiple publics, and pursue collective strategies. However, there is no consensus about how community development should be taught due to its various understandings, theories, and approaches. The article presents the results of a community development educator survey and illustrates a diversity of responses to educational delivery among forty-eight respondents representing twenty-seven community development programs in the United States. We compare the perspectives of respondents who teach in planning programs with other community development educators to discuss commonalities and differences.

Educator Perspectives on Teacher Attrition and Retention in Private Early Childhood Schools in India

Teacher attrition is a challenge in many countries. This qualitative case study explored the perspectives of teachers and school leaders in India regarding how teacher attrition in private early childhood schools influences the students, teachers, parents, school leaders, and schools and the factors that stakeholders identify as important to retain teachers. Themes related to compensation for increased workloads, positive workplace relationships, schedule flexibility, teaching autonomy and rewards/recognition for work. Sharing these experiences and suggestions of educators on teacher attrition can help education leaders possibly lessen teacher attrition and retention in India.