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Introduction
"In
fact, learning is the human activity which least needs manipulation by others.
Most learning is not the result of instruction. It is rather the result of
unhampered participation in a meaningful setting.”
― I Illich (1972:56) Ivan Illich's essays
English education in Japan is constantly changing. A new course of study has been
implemented in senior high schools as well as junior high schools. Many students in elementary schools
are also beginning to have some English instruction as well. The Ministry of Education, Culture,
Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) has released a new plan of English
education for the coming new era: Developing a Strategic Plan to Cultivate
"Japanese
with English Abilities."
Amid this overwhelming trend, we have to make our target and standpoint
clear, and pay close attention to the improvement of our lessons. We have a
lot of problems to be solved through self-development and free and
extensive discussion.
This document, Communicative English ---A Practical Guide---, is targeted
to give some clue to solve these problems, especially topics about
assistant English teachers and team teaching. It is absolutely necessary to
exchange information on what other teachers and assistant teachers are
thinking and doing, and to share their superb lesson ideas: creative
writing lessons, confident speeches by students and dramatic reading
lessons etc.
We
are going to revise some parts from this year if necessary and try to make
the website easier to use. Lena Ginsburg, the assistant language teacher at
the Gifu Prefectural Board of Education helped revise the book and re-do
the layout for the website.
Feedback to this edition will be greatly appreciated. We welcome comments from assistant English
teachers, Japanese teachers of English and any others who are involved or
interested in English education. Furthermore, anyone is welcome to enrich this document by
submitting more practical information: lesson plans, sample activities etc. Please do not hesitate to give us any piece of
information to share on our website.
Education Training Division
Gifu Prefectural Board of Education
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