Event Report, Okinawa Chapter May 2019

Focus:
Skills and qualities El teachers need to teach L2 confidently on their own or with another teacher
Talk about projected issues and concerns for 2020 MEXT
Team-teaching (Foreign and Japanese homeroom teachers)
English Education in Japan: Why they have just started implementing English as a subject recently — Teaching L2 will impair L1 learning
European inspiration (Longer history of teaching languages)
CEFR > CEFR – J, EPOSTL > JPOSTL, Can do statements, European language portfolio (ELP), Active learning, Methodologies: TBL, CLIL, etc.
L2 Teacher requirements:
• Awareness
• Cultural knowledge
• Classroom management skills
• Familiar with L2 teaching resources
• Interpersonal and intercultural communication skills
• Knowledge of child development
Students Survey: Did you enjoy English? (Those who answered NO said it`s because it’s forced on them – exams, etc.)
Worried, anxious, nervous:
• Perception of own English skills
• Low confidence in pronunciation and grammar
• I cannot speak English
• I don`t know how to teach Primary English
• I am scared to make mistakes as teachers must not make mistakes.
• I have no confidence in my English skills
How to teach confidence: Teach a growth mindset promoting yes, I can mentality!