The May 16 meeting will be a Zoom meeting, scheduled for an hour, from 19:30.
Bring your favourite beverage(s) and snack(s)!
You are invited to a Zoom meeting.
The topic is: The Effect of Overseas School Trips on English Learning Motivation for Japanese High School Students with Jean Taylor
When: Saturday May 16, 19:30-20:30 (possibly longer)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/91362091320?pwd=dWpFZDJicFZPc1g1K3NXZlZvWFBWQT09
Meeting ID: 913 6209 1320
Password: 3NwnV0
Abstract:
School trips, which take place in the second year at Japanese high schools, are a major event in the lives of students here. The length, style and location of trips vary considerably with overseas trips growing in popularity compared to a generation ago. At the high school where I work, around 150 students in the ‘academic course’ go to California for two weeks, living on their own with a family there. For some this is a highly anticipated prospect; for others it is a major source of stress.
Through surveys taken just before and after the trip, I have delved into what effects the experience has on such things as their interest in speaking English and their confidence in their abilities. Follow-up questionnaires have also been used to try to trace exactly what caused changes in students’ attitudes. In the second year of the study, I also administered a questionnaire in the first class in April to ascertain the students’ starting point in terms of attitude towards English and the upcomin trip in order to see what effect my own classes might have on their motivation and interest in English as the year went on.
From the wealth of data that was produced, a clear picture emerged of this two-week overseas homestay-style school trip being very successful in increasing students’ interest in speaking English and breaking down negative preconceptions they may have had to such an experience. In addition, positive change could be seen over the course of the academic year leading up to the trip.
Biodata:
Originally from Nova Scotia, Canada, Jean Taylor came here thirty years ago to teach high school in Shizuoka and is still at it. Along the way she’s written a number of side-readers and speaking and listening materials for that age group. Now that her own kids are fairly self-sufficient, she’s excited about starting a new full-time job at Eiwa Jr./Sr. High from this April and working with others to foster enthusiastic learners.