英語コース:研究

バーチ、グレゴリー

カナダゼミ

This seminar is similar to other seminars in that a student can choose a topic they are interested in and study it in depth. In this seminar, however, the topic must be related to Canada, and the dissertation must be written in English. The latter is very challenging, but for a student who is serious about improving her English, I think that she will find it a very rewarding experience.

[2009.05.07]  2009:05:07:16:16:32
Assistant Language Teachers: Qualification

In my previous post, I mentioned my research into the JET Programme.  I am interested in how qualified the ALTs are because I help train them.  From my research, I was surprised by two things.  First, about 25% of the ALTs are very well qualified.  They have taken the time to get a teaching certificate in TEFL (Teaching English in a Foreign Language) and studied Japanese at the university level for 1 to 2 years.  On the other hand, I was also surprised that about 18% of the participants do not have any qualifications, experience or Japanese language ability.  The reason that there is such a wide variety of ALTs is that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is responsible for recruitment, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' main goal for the JET Programme is not language education but increasing the understanding of Japanese society and education among youth in the participating countries (McConnell, 2000:30).

 

[2008.11.17]  2008:11:17:11:17:36
Assistant Language Teachers: Roles and Responsibilities

     Currently, I am very interested in the JET Programme. One goal of this programme is to bring Assistant Language Teachers (ALTs) to Japan to teach English. At the end of November, I will help train some of these new teachers, as many of them were not teachers in their home countries. 

     Since I was never on the JET Programme, I decided to conduct a survey.  I wanted to learn more about how qualified the ALTs are (e.g. what did they study at university?), what their job responsibilities are (Who prepares team-teaching lessons?), and what they think their job is.  The results of the survey were interesting.  For example, many ALTs are more qualified than most people think.  Many ALTs also have more job responsibility than you'd expect.  In my next entry, I will tell you more about the results.