ELT in Japan (ELT-J)

ScienceDaily (2009-11-11) -- You can improve your second-language listening ability by watching the movie with subtitles -- as long as these subtitles are in the same language as the film. Subtitles in one's native language, the default in some European countries, may actually be counter-productive to learning to understand foreign speech, according to a new study.

ScienceDaily (2007-04-27) -- Analyzing rates of target word acquisition and overall vocabulary development, this study finds that students learning English as a second language pick up general vocabulary more quickly and target vocabulary words at the same rate as native English-speaking kindergarteners with oral instruction, such as storytime.

ScienceDaily (2009-08-19) -- With a vast majority of the world speaking more than one language, it is no wonder that psychologists are interested in its effect on cognitive functioning. For instance, how does the human brain switch between languages? Are we able to seamlessly activate one language and disregard knowledge of other languages completely?

ScienceDaily (2010-06-03) -- Adults fluent in English whose first language is Chinese retrieve their native language when reading in English, according to new research. The study suggests that people who learn a second language in adolescence or later recall the sounds of words from their native language.

ScienceDaily (2009-09-10) -- An international research project which looks at bilingual education shows that children can learn a second language as early as preschool.

ScienceDaily (2010-06-09) -- University of Leicester researcher calls for native language use in education....

http://www.accreditedonlinecolleges.com/blog/2010/50-terrific-teaching-abroad-blogs/    Teaching English and Language Blogs Find out what "teaching English abroad" really entails, and where to find the best opportunities, as well as how to reach out to foreign students. Aclipse.net : English teachers working in Asia blog here about their experiences. Footprints Recruiting Teacher Blogs : English teachers traveling around the world blog for this site. Abroad Languages Blog : This blog shares tips for learning languages while working or studying abroad, or when preparing to go. The TEFL Blog : This TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) blog shares packing tips, and offers help for picking a country to teach in and inspiration and encouragement for those thinking about teaching abroad. Ted’s TEFLnewbie : Ted’s blog is a great resource for learning about teaching English to foreign language students, earning extra income, teaching business English, an...

This is still yet another educational and language reform doomed for failure. First, the schools simply do not have enough well-trained experienced teachers to implement EFL even though the required English will be limited to grades 5 and 6. Another aspect of this issue is that the university-based teacher training programs do not turn out teachers capable of teaching a high level of oral English. So even if they meet quotas for hiring new English teachers, the teachers will prove incapable of realizing this reform. Even if they have a high level of English, they will be unskilled and inexperienced at teaching EFL to children. And even if they manage to master this sort of teaching, they will not fit in well with the already established institutional cultures of elementary schools. Next, the ministry of education is going ahead with the reform without the required consensus of the people who will actually have to implement the reform--the teachers already teaching at and running th...

Issue #3 will be published a bit behind schedule. Editing of content for final presentation is taking longer than expected, but the new issue should appear here before the end of the spring term (beginning of August). Meanwhile, here are links to past issues and articles: ELT-J ISSUE ARCHIVE ELT in Japan Issue #2 (March 2010) as online readable/downloadable documents ELT in Japan Issue #2 (March 2010) ELT in Japan Issue #1 (December 2009) bonus article ELT in Japan Issue #1 (December 2009) as online readable/downloadable documents ELT in Japan Issue #1 (December 2009)