This book focuses on appropriate English for Academic Purposes instructional concepts and methods in the Japanese context. It investigates a variety of pedagogical techniques, addressing the fundamental academic English skills -- listening, speaking, reading and writing -- as well as assessment and materials development. All the research included…

Over the last two decades drama pedagogy has helped to lay the foundations for a new teaching and learning culture, one that accentuates physicality and centres on performative experience. Signs of this 'performative turn' in education are especially strong in the field of foreign/second language teaching. This volume introduces scholars, language…

Professional early childhood educators are often asked for advice about whether or when a young child should learn to play a music instrument. Many educators who do not have a background in music education may not be confident in providing such advice. A range of overseas research has supported learning a music instrument in the early childhood…

Describes the educational system in Japan and outlines a secondary level social studies unit. Topics include the agricultural, industrial, artistic, and religious aspects of Japan. The author observed a genuine "term spirit" among Japanese students, greater respect for school property, and a heightened awareness for the value of…

Presents survey results from U.S. and Japanese high school and college students on the current state and future of the relationship between their two countries. Identifies major issues and explaining how to improve the relationship. Concludes that the students were most concerned with the development of understanding between the two cultures. (DK)

The most striking feature of the Japanese social studies curriculum at the elementary level is its role as the instructor of Japanese national values and attitudes. The social studies curriculum has gone through four major revisions since World War II. In the most recent revision, in the early 1980's, the focus has been on instituting new teaching…

Designed for secondary students, the 20 lessons in this volume promote education for, with, and about older adults and prepare students to participate in the changing world. Lessons 1-3 explore attitudes about aging through word association, confront the aging process, and examine values regarding time. Lessons 4-6 study aging in different times…

The role of a French-Japanese cultural institute in Japan is examined, and it is noted that, despite its relatively limited appeal within such a different culture, with careful work the institute has uncovered a significant audience who participate in French-related activities simply because they are pleasurable. (MSE)

Advocates a change in American chauvinistic attitudes to view positively Japan's increasing public awareness for balancing industries and the environment. Also suggests that the study of foreign languages would help develop a global view to environmental concerns. (DH)

Summarizes the survey responses of Japanese and non-Japanese environmental experts on aspects of environmental science and education. Provides perspectives on the concepts, roles, and relationships of environmental education and environmental science. A listing of survey participants is included. (ML)

Discusses survey results polling American, Australian, and Japanese teachers' views about educational concepts. Differing cultural backgrounds probably account for varied responses concerning teacher roles, competition, teaching of moral principles, and administrator leadership roles. Effective school management requires knowledge of various…

Investigated whether attitudes toward school mathematics on mathematical achievement differed between low and high intelligence eighth-grade students in three Japanese schools (N=808). Results indicate that the attitude of low intelligence students is more important and it affects more in magnitude than that of high intelligence students. (JN)

A study examined the extent to which culture-specific traits persist or change in American and Japanese business people who interact in business. Data were drawn from 13 interviews with both Japanese and American employees of Japanese companies. Interviewees were asked about their perceptions or stereotypes of people from the other culture before…

In Japan, learning through experience is incorporated into new employee training programs to help prepare employees mentally, physically, and emotionally for the increasingly complex challenges of corporate life. Discusses the year-long training program, corporate handbook revision, work experience, and physical and mental discipline. (CT)

Describes observations of art education in a Japanese junior high school during a three-month period in 1990. Discusses the teacher's role, classroom environment, course objectives, and teacher-student interaction. Identifies cultural differences and how they affect instructional methods and student achievement. (CFR)