Event Report, Okinawa Chapter May 2018

Speaker: Simon Humphries (Kansai University, Osaka)
Factors influencing Japanese high school English students’ attitudes to speaking
Knowing factors which influence Japanese high school students’ attitudes to speak would certainly help all teachers in this context. However, as Simon explained, getting access to high schools students’ opinions can be extremely difficult. Through his unique quantitative study of 243 high school students, we gained access to things that encourage students to speak and things that don’t. Some factors, for example, the influence of English media, surprisingly do not seem to offer much motivation to students. Whereas factors including better university prospects and employment opportunities are important for students and not as surprising.
Following this attendees broke into small groups and took part in small demonstrations of communicative activities. Four teachers from Okinawa demonstrated methods they use in class to encourage their learners to speak.
This event met its aims of providing attendees with theoretical background to encouraging students to talk as well as practical ideas to try in class on Monday.
Later in the evening members met for a social event in Naha.