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Relying on the background of big data, this paper introduces the blended teaching model into the secondary vocational Japanese oral classroom and explores whether the teaching model is conducive to the improvement of the secondary vocational Japanese oral learning effect and teaching effect. In order to make this research more scientific and effective, this paper refers to a large number of literature materials. First, the purpose, content, and methods of this research are clarified; secondly, the relevant literature is sorted out and summarized. The SPOC blended teaching design was carried out, and teaching experiments were carried out accordingly. Finally, the data collected during the experiment were compared and analyzed, and the research results were verified with objective data. Research has shown that the use of a Japanese language teaching system enhances students' learning experience, promotes effective use of time, and improves overall learning outcomes.

This paper examines learners' fluency development in L2 silent reading rate and comprehension. In both L1 and L2 readings, a positive relationship between readers' silent reading rate and comprehension has not been as firmly established as theories might propose. Based on Wallot et al. (2014), the paper indicates the need to look at readers' silent reading rates as a process rather than a result of the reading act. Variability L2 readers face while reading reflects their successful and unsuccessful attempts to comprehend the text they are reading. Through a new examination of unpublished data from Taguchi et al. (2012), the paper proposes to look at readers' silent reading fluency development across a longer period. In addition, it indicates the need to consider different purposes readers set for their reading to understand how their rates vary. This proposal has practical implications for not only researchers but also classroom practitioners.

This paper examines the differences correlation between instructor- and peer-based participation scores and oral proficiency in an EFL course focusing on oral communication. It finds that there is very little correlation between instructor-based and peer-based participation scores (r = 0.187, p = 0.053) and that the former is more associated with improvement in fluency (r = 0.266, p = 0.005), but that the latter is strongly associated with pre-class levels of fluency measures such as trimmed speech rate (r = 0.364, p < 0.001). However, neither measure of participation was particularly correlated with post-class levels of fluency. Therefore, some caution is required by instructors when using in-class participation scores. While it is important to encourage students to improve by participating in classes, the methods of assigning participation scores examined in this paper may not be appropriate as a part of the composite final grade in the class as they do not correlate well to final skill level.

This paper examined whether a younger starting age of formal instruction on a foreign language is beneficial in expanding circle countries. An experimental study was designed to examine to what extent the five varieties of English language teachers are intelligible to Japanese- (JSLs) and Korean-speaking language learners (KSLs), who have different starting ages of formal English education. First, 132 JSLs and 214 KSLs participated in a listening test where the accents of audio stimuli were varied. The results showed significant differences in the listening test scores between the two groups of learners and among the five varieties of English. It was found that KSLs who started learning English language at an early onset demonstrated proficient listening performance. These findings provide support for the premise that "younger is better" in development and persistence of L2 sound identification. At the same time, both JSLs and KSLs demonstrated sensitivity to input varieties of English. This highlights the importance of exposing students in the classroom to various English accents that may encounter in real-world situations.

Education in Japan has drawn attention widely from overseas, including a quantity of research pointing out that the context of Japan's modernization and its present-day advanced science and technology can be found in the high literacy rates and prevalent education of Japanese society. However, there has been insufficient examination of the effect of high literacy rates in early modern society on everyday life. Pointing out that at the beginning of the early modern period, character formats, grammar, writing styles et cetera became used in common throughout the country, while the use of written text became compulsory as well, this paper asserts that the establishment of this lettered society was deeply involved with Japan's modernization.

As internationalization has become part of the raison d'être of universities worldwide, English-medium instruction (EMI) has emerged as an irresistible force in the higher education systems of many non-English speaking countries. In a manifestation of its commitment to internationalization, Japan has seen a dramatic increase in the number of EMI programs now in place at universities throughout the country. This paper looks closely at EMI in Japan's system of higher education through an examination of the existing literature and an assessment of government policies and university practices designed to internationalize the system. The different rationales motivating the various stakeholders (nation, university, and individual) are identified, and the internal and external factors that have led to the introduction of EMI into Japanese universities are discussed. Insofar as EMI is more than a mere linguistic change, it will have a huge impact both on education and research. This paper then raises significant ideological and practical issues associated with English in education as a tool of "academic imperialism" in the unique Japanese context. It also addresses the different practices and adaptations of EMI at Japan's "elite" and "mass" universities. Finally, the double meanings of "internationalization" through EMI programs is conceptualized with using the terms of "internationalization abroad" and "internationalization at home" through examining the framework of nationalistic and cosmopolitan dimensions. For the further study and implications for university practices, the author asserts the importance of developing language education policy not to serve English imperialism but to facilitate focused research by students with a critical perspective.

This paper considers the relationship between the "context of a situation" and the "metaphorically construed" reality within the transitivity paradigm of Systemic Functional Grammar. The research employed the transitivity model advanced by K. Davidse (1992) to examine the discourse of Japanese wartime (World War II) reporting in Japanese newspapers from the perspective of grammatical metaphor. First, the context of situation encoded in the text is introduced, including a brief history of the Pacific War and a description of the situation of the wartime press. Also discussed is a description of English-language newspapers in wartime Japan, which are used as data for the study. Section 2 explains the model of the transitivity paradigm, putting special emphasis on the metaphorization of processes in the paradigm. In section 3, the theoretical model is applied to the analysis of newspaper texts to demonstrate how transitivity processes are metaphorized for the purpose of obfuscation. This section also: (a) shows how the transitivity process of expressing death is metaphorized as euphemism in wartime discourse by comparing it with how it is manifested in peacetime discourse; and (b) examines transitivity patterns from a diachronic perspective, comparing texts from different stages of the war. The paper concludes that where the necessity for propagandistic discourse is greater, the metaphorization of processes increases. (Contains 33 references.) (NAV)

Though generally under-utilised in spoken English, the passive voice plays a crucial role in formal, written English (Biber et al., 1999). An understanding of how the passive voice operates in English writing is therefore a vital skill for EFL learners in secondary and higher education so that they may be able to both understand and produce fluent and accurate formal English writing. Using samples of Japanese high school learners' writing, this paper sought to shed light on why many Japanese EFL learners struggle to produce accurate passive constructions in English writing. The paper begins by examining how the passive voice is used in English, focusing on core passive forms, "pseudopassives" (Balcom, 2001), agency, and transitivity. Conveying a sense of objectivity (such as through the use of agentless passives) is also highlighted as a crucial feature of the use of the passive voice in formal, written English. Comparing the use of the passive voice in Japanese to its use in English reveals some structural and functional similarities, although there are some syntactic differences--particularly in relation to verb conjugation. The role of transitivity is also a key point of difference between the two languages. Unlike in Japanese, intransitive verbs cannot be passivised in English. Japanese EFL learners are often able to produce fluent, accurate passive structures in English, especially when the agent and patient are clearly identified. However, many Japanese EFL learners struggle with agentless passives in English--whereas in Japanese agents are almost always specified (Watanabe et al., 1991), the agent is often omitted in written English. This can lead to L1 transfer, the (incorrect) iteration and fossilisation of novel passive constructions. Increasing Japanese EFL learners' exposure to different varieties of English passive constructions is suggested as a potential means of remedying this problem. In addition, focusing on correct passive structure form (through explicit instruction and spoken/written corrective feedback) during in-class written production may also prove to be effective.

This paper investigates the differentiated educational ideologies projected during the Japanese colonial era by comparing the Japanese language textbooks used by Korean and Japanese primary students at that time. By comparing the texts and images in "Kokugotokuhon" (Japanese language textbooks for Korean students) and "Shougakutokuhon" (Japanese language textbooks for Japanese students) with critical discourse analysis (CDA) in analysis of texts and visual image analysis (VIA) for images, this paper verifies the differentiated educational ideologies that Japanese colonial authorities presented to Korean students. There were three findings that were featured in the Japanese language textbooks for Korean students that were absent from the textbooks for Japanese students. Firstly, depictions of physical labour and helping parents after school and late at night were present only in the textbooks for Koreans. Secondly, Japanese nationalism with an Emperor-centred ideology was emphasised in the Japanese language textbooks used by Koreans. Thirdly, the textbooks encouraged Korean students to practise war-like games and drills. The results from this study suggest that differentiated education was provided to Korean students during the Japanese colonial era via the contents of the Japanese language textbooks, which projected the colonial ideologies of the Japanese government. Korean students were being educated to become Japanese colonial subjects.

Cultivation (shuyo) is not a translated term. However, neither has it been used consistently since the Edo period (1603-1867). Its "depth" is not visible simply from the "shuyo" theory of the Meiji period (1868-1912). This paper structuralizes the Edo and Meiji periods in synchronicity. In addition, it focuses on the translation of Western terms, in particular "cultivation," and examines the surrounding areas. The points addressed are: (1) relations with politics; (2) relations with morals; (3) differences from care for health (yojo); (4) differences from spiritual exercise (shugyo); and (5) differences from skill and performance (keiko). The practices of "non"-modernity cannot be summed up within the categories of modern education. Hints thereto are found in "discrepancies" within translation. This is an attempt to examine a unique Japanese educational tradition as understood within translation. [This article was translated by Nadezhda Murray.]

The purpose of this study is to analyze how immigrant children in Japan are included in the phenomenon of "gakko kino no fukushika" (Kuraishi 2014: 56)--henceforth "welfare-oriented schools"--by using the analytical framework of education-welfare. Fieldwork took place in an elementary school Japanese language class, along with interviews with immigrant mothers, a Japanese language teacher and a Filipino language supporter. The paper focused on three aspects of Filipino immigrants' lives: child neglect, dietary habits, and truancy. As regards education-welfare, this study has illustrated both the possibilities and limitations of teachers taking the "care" roles for immigrant children. Although previous literature has drawn a distinctive line between education and welfare specialists, in this study, the boundary was ambiguous as the Japanese language teacher considered herself a "social worker." On the other hand, one of the limitations was that the teachers' dominant ideology of a "good" way of living excluded the logic of the immigrants.

There are two important dimensions to successful second language learning: what goes on inside the classroom and what goes on outside of the classroom (Richards, 2015). This paper investigates smartphone use for online learning of English among Japanese university students using online surveys and semi-structured interviews. The investigation includes the most frequent smartphone activities, including language use, the main language of these activities, and the reciprocal evolutionary relationship of engaging in smartphone activities in English and the level of language skills perceived. The results show that despite the affordability of user-generated content web technologies, Japanese participants primarily accessed online language receptive skill activities. In addition, the results show the reciprocal evolutionary relationship of two complex dynamic systems: (1) use of English digital English context system; and (2) English communication competency system for participants. Finally, the paper discusses how the use of English online offers a growing range of opportunities for students to engage in activities beyond the classroom, and how they are used.

This paper explores how Japan employed language education to justify Japanese imperial surveillance practices by examining the depiction of policemen and military police officers in Japanese language textbooks used by Korean primary students during the colonial period under Japanese rule. The analysis of the Japanese language textbooks used during this period uncovered the colonial educational goals and ideologies presented to Korean students, the ideal colonial citizens desired by the ruling system, and colonial aims furthered. This study investigates the ideologies presented in the textbooks using Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) and Visual Image Analysis (VIA) by analyzing eight textbooks that were used in Japan and Korea. Both images and texts relating to Japanese government officials in the textbooks for Koreans from the colonial era are analyzed. The study reveals that the textbooks positioned Korean students to accept and integrate Japanese ideologies and attempted to indoctrinate Koreans into believing that the Japanese government officials were kind and cooperative, while also maximizing their authority over the colonized in their portrayal. The portrayal of government officials in the textbooks further reinforced this by showing the colonized having to display good behavior to authority figures, while not conveying any negative images of the government officials.

In this paper the results of an online survey (n=210) regarding the usefulness of Facebook for informal L2 learning will be presented. Participants were individual Facebook users who study either German (n=118) or Japanese (n=92). By using a combination of open and closed questions, the mostly quantitative findings of the survey indicate that for most participants Facebook is a suitable tool for improving their L2 skills, because the network enables them to establish or to maintain social contacts with native speakers and to have authentic opportunities to express themselves in the L2. As particularly effective activities, participants mentioned reading and writing L2 posts on the networks' timeline, exchanging private messages, and commenting on friends' posts. As far as effects on L2 learning are concerned, most participants noted an improvement in their reading and writing skills, as well as an expansion of their vocabulary and cultural understanding. Some respondents, however, raised concerns about the formal correctness of the language they encounter on the network as well as insecurity regarding communication with strangers. The information participants provided on their informal use of Facebook led to the conclusion, that learners of L2 German and learners of L2 Japanese show similar tendencies in using the network for their L2 learning. In contrast to using social networks in educational settings, their informal use allows learners much more freedom to decide when, how often, with whom, on which topic, and in which way they wish to interact in their target language on the network.

In EFL contexts where students' chances to use English are limited to the classroom, minimizing their use of L1 to develop fluency in English is often encouraged in instruction. However, recent studies have reported that students' partial use of L1 in code-switching or translanguaging offers various pedagogical advantages. This research examines advanced Japanese high school students' use of and perceptions toward L1 (Japanese) in translanguaging during communicative L2 (English) activities. Drawing on both quantitative data from a survey answered by 190 third-year high school students and qualitative data from classroom observations and in-depth interviews with nine students from the same group, the study attempted to reveal context-sensitive findings about students' use of L1 in translanguaging in the EFL classroom. The quantitative survey results revealed that all the students, to varying degrees, partially used L1 during communicative L2 activities. Data from classroom observations supported the survey results and identified five salient speech functions of students' partial L1 use in the activities. In addition, the interview data showed students' nuanced reasons for and perceptions toward their partial L1 use during such activities, highlighting a unique communication layer for translanguaging. Based on the discussion of the findings, recommendations for pursuing contextualized communicative language teaching and translanguaging pedagogy in EFL classrooms are provided at the end of the paper.

Japanese-national students benefit from extensive internationalization programs; however, foreign-national students may not always share equitable access to similar educational programs as Japanese students. While Japanese students take advantage of gaining their English proficiency from the current Japanese educational reform, foreign-national students in Japanese schools encounter challenges. When foreign-national students are unable to speak Japanese and lack Japanese literacy, these students encounter a major language barrier in Japanese schools. As a result, the barrier hinders foreign-national students learning lessons in schools. Bilingual education supports foreign-national students in their Japanese proficiency in schools in Emerging Educational Scholars in order for them to understand daily school lessons. Therefore, it is crucial to examine what types of bilingual education programs are implemented in current Japanese schools. This paper analyzes the strength and weaknesses of Japanese as a Second Language (JSL) programs and evaluates the future direction of the second language programs for the academic development of foreign-national students in Japanese schools in Japan.

Educating minority people has been a subject of multicultural education and is still practised in a framework of the nation-state. Multicultural education guarantees opportunities for minority people's education and tries to preserve their culture, but it is often a controversial point between the majority and minority. In a multicultural society, nation-building and national integration should be imminent tasks, as such, national education plays a significant role in creating a "national culture." In this process, the differences between majority and minority cultures have been discussed, and in many cases, the minority has been required to assimilate into the majority. In particular, language is a key point in the discussion because the government often forms its national integration policy by designating a national language as the medium of instruction in the national education system. Therefore, the minority is forced to learn the national language, but they often also strive to use their mother tongue in education in order to preserve their history, traditional culture and ethnic identity. Meanwhile, in this context of internationalisation, minority groups have moved beyond nations and developed various needs for language education. Language can be chosen as a strategy depending on the people's political, economic and social position. In other words, language as culture can be a strategy for people to acquire better opportunities for study or work, and sometimes more importance is placed on learning the national language, or English, in addition to their mother tongue. These changing roles of language should be considered as a new function in multicultural education to guarantee a minority group's educational needs. This paper discusses the changing roles of language as a factor of multicultural education by focusing on the education of minority Chinese as immigrants in Malaysia and Japan. By using the research framework of essentialism and social constructionism on culture, it clarifies that people's demands for language education depend on their social situation, and is influenced by their transition during the emigration process. Subsequently, this paper proposes that the conventional research and practices of multicultural education have attached importance to people's roots, but it is also important to consider their various paths when designing multicultural education.

Internationalization in higher education in Japan is progressing, and it is desirable for international students to have a high degree of satisfaction with their experience in Japanese universities. With that in mind, this research focuses on the study of Japanese language and experiences of taking Japanese language classes before and during study abroad. In addition, this paper examines the different influences on Chinese and American international exchange students based on a questionnaire administered to students in Japanese universities between April and June 2016. A comparison between students who studied Japanese and took language classes before studying abroad and those who began only after coming to Japan shows significantly different levels of satisfaction with their university. Additionally, Chinese and American students experience different levels of satisfaction based on their experience with Japanese language. Chinese students' previous experience with learning Japanese did influence their satisfaction, but the magnitude of this influence was smaller than the influence of prior Japanese language experience on American students.

Despite having studied English for some 33 months, the students at the private junior high school in Japan described in this paper had never before been asked to write original compositions in the language. The researchers undertook a quasi-experimental pilot study in which the 156 (n= 156) participants were each asked to write four compositions, two using Microsoft Word and two using pencil and paper. Their writings were analyzed for length, Japanese word usage, grammar, and spelling. Descriptive statistics and graphs show that the students produced higher word counts using pencil-and-paper, but used fewer Japanese words in their computer-based writings.

The paper "The influence of translation on reading amount, proficiency, and speed in extensive reading" (Sakurai, 2015) outlined the first six years of the official English education system and policy in Japan. It then discussed the efficacy of extensive reading (ER) followed by a distinction between reading and translation. Previous research indicated that translation inhibited the number of words to be read in ER programs from increasing (Sakurai, 2013). Therefore, this study explored the influence of translation in reading comprehension and reading rate which were considered to be interrelated with the reading amount. The analyses of data retrieved from university students in Japan suggested that refraining from translating English into Japanese during ER would lead to better comprehension of stories and a faster rate of reading as well as an increase in the number of words learners read in ER programs. Here Nobuko Sakurai provides his response to critiques of the 2015 article.