Event
HomeObstacles to Improving English Learning in Japan
Saturday, February 5th, 2005, 6:30 PM - 8:45 PM
Speaker: Robert Aspinall, D. Phil.
What are the obstacles facing efforts to improve English language learning in Japanese schools and universities? This presentation considers various explanations for the failure of the Japanese education system to provide the country with a number of citizens sufficiently skilled in the use of English, the global lingua franca, to enable Japan to "punch its weight" in international forums. Why has Japan achieved enviable records of achievement in subjects like mathematics and science but suffers from serious problems with English language learning? Finally, various possible solutions to some of the problems raised will be addressed.
About the speaker: Robert Aspinall is a professor in the Department of Social Systems at Shiga University. His book Teachers Unions and the Politics of Education in Japan was published by SUNY Press in 2001. He has also published articles on nationalism and foreign language teaching reform, and the university entrance system in Japan. He lives in Nagoya and also teaches courses in Japanese politics at Nagoya University and at Nanzan University.
Organization: Osaka Chapter of the Japan Association for Language Teaching (Osaka JALT)
Cost: JALT Members: 500 yen/ 300 yen for student members
Non-members: 1500 yen / 1000 yen for full-time students
Venue: Osaka City Municipal Lifelong Learning Center, on the fifth floor of Umeda's Dai-2 Building, just southeast and across the street from the Hilton Hotel. Tel: 06-6345-5000
Location: Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture, Japan
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