Bern Mulvey, Iwate University, Rika Otsu (Tokiwa University) and Francisco Gonzales (Oyama High School)

Presentations:

1. University Accreditation: It’s Impact on EFL Teaching (10:00-12:00)
by Bern Mulvey (Iwate University)
As of 2004, all universities in Japan must submit to an external accreditation evaluation, to be repeated every seven years. The universities receive written assessments in multiple categories from one of four official accrediting agencies. These assessments are intended to provide detailed evaluations of curriculum appropriateness and teacher effectiveness, not to mention school/program effectiveness in meeting mission objectives. All reports are publicized. The universities also receive grades: pass, probation, or fail. In other words, at least in theory, university accreditation represents an unparalleled opportunity to achieve meaningful, lasting educational reform in this country–particularly (as stated prominently on the Ministry of Education’s website) in the area of English language instruction. However, the ongoing lack of consensus (even within MEXT) regarding such things as desired learning outcomes and appropriate measurement tools has resulted in a situation that is both increasingly complex and, especially with regards to EFL classes and their (often non Japanese) instructors, troubling. This presentation examines the ramifications of, not to mention the opportunities afforded by, this new policy. I focus particularly on the current problems (e.g., the unrealistic expectations (both of faculty and students), the resulting Faculty Development “monster,” etc.) yet address as well the potentially very positive impact on EFL education and educators in Japan. Having served as Dean of a Japanese university undergoing accreditation, headed a university accreditation committee and authored major sections of the 100-page official accreditation report, my discussion will include first-hand observations not elsewhere available in English.
Bern Mulvey has written books, academic and newspaper articles, essays and poems in English and Japanese, with work published, among other places, in Higher Education Policy, Japan Studies Review, American Language Review, Continuing Higher Education Review, Michigan Quarterly Review, Poetry, The Missouri Review, JALT Journal, Nibutani Ainugo Kyoushitsu, Times Higher Education Supplement, The Language Teacher, EL Gazette, ELT News, Asahi Shinbun, etc. Bern Mulvey’s second book, Deep Snow Country, won the 2013 Field Poetry Prize and will be published in early 2014. His first book, The Fat Sheep Everyone Wants, won the Cleveland State University Poetry Center Prize and was published in 2008. He also has had two award-winning poetry chapbooks published: Character Readings (Southeast Missouri State University Press, 2012) and The Window Tribe (White Eagle Coffee Store Press, 2005). The former dean of Miyazaki International College, he currently is a professor at Iwate National University.
2. Reducing repeaters (14:00-14:30)
by Rika Otsu (Tokiwa University) & Francisco Gonzales (Oyama high school)
We investigated the attitudes of Japanese students repeating EFL classes in a university setting towards the classes and their teachers in order to find suitable ways to reduce the number of students who have to repeat classes. Preliminary results of a questionnaire indicated that the teacher’s enthusiasm and knowledge positively affected student success. Our presentation will discuss the role of teachers in motivating students in the language classroom.
Rika Otsu is currently teaching English and other related subjects at Tokiwa University in Ibaraki prefecture. Her research interests include motivation, collaborative learning, Literature Circle, and English education for children.
Francisco E. Gonzales earned his MS in TESOL from California State University, Fullerton. He currently works as an ALT at Oyama High School in Tochigi Prefecture. His research interests include EFL/ESL motivation, pronunciation, and Japanese foreign language educational policies.
3. The ALTs and Japanese English Education: Perception Changes,
Obstacles and Opportunities (14:45-16:15)
by Bern Mulvey (Iwate University)
In this presentation, I argue five things:
1) Given the goals initially set, the JET Program has been mainly successful.
2) There is a dangerous gap, however, among MEXT, teacher and public perceptions of both the success of the program and the efficacy of English language instruction overall.
3) In addition, JET faces serious demographic and economic challenges.
4) In order to survive, the overall goals of the program, including the respective roles of both ALTs and JETs, need to be reexamined.
5) The potential exists for a stronger, even more successful program.
4. Business Meeting (16:30-17:00)
Ibaraki Christian University (Building #5 – 5100 and 5101) Hitachi, Omika

Sunday, Feb, 9th, 10:00 – 17:00
(Doors open from 9:30. No pre-registration required!)
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