Defines the problem of communication apprehension, i.e., fear of oral communication and its effects on teaching English as a second language (ESL). Focuses on the specific problem of Japanese ESL students. Suggests and explains classroom techniques designed to alleviate this anxiety and to promote and practice communication. (SED)

This chapter gives a brief history of cooperative learning in Japan, describes several types of Japanese cooperative learning, offers short vignettes of modern situations in which cooperative learning has been effective, and concludes with thoughts about the future of cooperative learning in the Japanese context. Learning in Japan was structured…

In 1942, less than four months after Japan's attack on Pearl Harbor and the subsequent United States entry into World War II , nearly 120,000 persons of Japanese ancestry living along the west coast of the United States were ordered to evacuate their homes and sent to internment camps. The evacuees, separated from their extended families, former…

Explored the attitudes of 251 second language teachers toward Kanji and their choices of instructional strategies for teaching Kanji. Principal component analysis resulted in the identification of six statistically reliable domains representing underlying attitudes toward teaching kanji. Descriptive statistics revealed that the mot positive…

Reports results of a study that looked at the attitudes of students learning to write in Japanese a s a foreign language. Suggests that, despite the challenge composition writing presented to the students and their occasional frustrations over their limited linguistic skills, they felt writing to be an effective means of self expression,…

The following articles are presented in the section of the Northeast Conference Report on less frequently taught languages: (1) "American Sign Language," by M. Conwell and A. Nelson; (2) "Chinese," by D. Gidman; (3) "Japanese," by J. P. Berwald and T. Phipps; (4) "Latin," by M. Cleary; (5) "Portuguese," by R. Pedro Carvalho; and (6) "Russian," by…

Advocates the use of simulations in second-language classrooms, examining their advantages and presenting data from a study on college students' perceptions of the effectiveness of these advantages in an advanced second-language classroom. The study indicates that students found simulations enjoyable, motivating, and effective in promoting…

This issue of "Cross Currents" includes the following articles: "The Japanese Concept of Hanashi-Kata and Its Potential Influence on Foreign Language Acquisition" by James R. Bowers; "Linguistic Relativity and Foreign Language Learning" by Ronald Taubitz; "On Being a Sansei English Teacher in Japan" by Ruth…

This paper contributes to the growing debate in Japan about how to teach Japanese students to speak English effectively. It is argued that there must be a shift from learning about the English language to using English to learn and communicate about topics that are interesting and relevant to students' lives in Japan. Role playing is an effective…

Discusses measures language teachers can use to maintain and develop their communicative language ability. Introduces strategies teachers can adopt and mentions ways in which educational systems and universities can assist teachers. The model presented is relevant to teachers of any language. (13 references) (Author/CK)

Using Japanese with Japanese students of English as a second language is not only unnecessary, but could hinder the learning of English. Students must be motivated to use a language in order to learn it well, and the classroom in which the native language is spoken will not foster English language learning any more than Japanese spoken in daily…

Discusses the success of a family folklore unit in a racially and ethnically diverse sixth-grade class (containing Black, White, Japanese-American, and Jewish students), provides suggestions for a folklore curriculum, and points out the significance of folklore. (SKC)

Presents issues concerning traditional MBA programs and traditional liberal arts Japanese language programs and discusses the need to integrate the two disciplines; addresses the need for new instructional approaches, particularly the need for using authentic materials to develop practical language skills; discusses the value of integrating…

This article is divided into two parts. The first discusses theoretical issues related to the software program introduced, and the second deals with practical issues, including technical and pedagogical considerations in implementing the program. (Author/VWL)

Representing a refereed selection of papers from the 1994 JALT Kansai Conference, this collection of 25 papers contains formal presentations, teaching experiences, research projects, and ideas for effective teaching. The papers and their authors are, as follows: (1) "Culturally Influenced Communication Patterns: Overview, Implications and…