The Evolution of English Language Learners in Japan: Crossing Japan, the West, and South East Asia

ISBN-13: 9781138631618 / Angielski / Twarda / 2018 / 144 str.

Yoko Kobayashi

Opis

This book seeks a better understanding of sociocultural and ideological factors that influence English study in Japan and study-abroad contexts. The discussion is based not only on learners' and educators' voices but also on English language policies and commercial magazines that rest on their own representation of 'Japanese learners of English'. The book addresses seemingly incompatible yet theoretically rational findings on Japanese learners of English: (i) native English preference in at-home Japanese EFL contexts vs. Asian-Asian solidary in western study-abroad contexts; (ii) Japanese college women's dream of using English for career vs. Japanese working women's English study for self-enrichment, (iii) Japanese society's obsession with globalization through English study vs. Japanese economy sustained by monolingual Japanese businessmen, (iv) native English teachers' resistance against Japan's ELT vs. non-English teachers' resistance against ELT dominance. The final chapter provides an image of learners affected by the chain reaction of national changes: student population decline, the economy's and universities' survival crisis, and increased official pressure on humanities departments to offer more English-medium courses in contents of national interest.

Recenzje

"In summary, Kobayashi has made an important contribution to our understanding of English language education in Japan. In particular, she has illuminated the impact of gendered discourse on motivation, engagement and the perceived relevance of English among Japanese learners. Furthermore, this volume points towards key changes and opportunities for language education in Japan offered by the growing importance and aspirations of ASEAN nations and the wider Asia region in general. Ultimately, Kobayashi has drawn attention to the underlying ideological factors which continue to hold back language learners in Japan, making this volume vital reading as the nation approaches a future where it must renegotiate its place in Asia and the world." - Levi Durbidge, New Voices in Japanese Studies