NCUR Draft

1. ENGLISH
EDUCATION IN
JAPAN:
Attempts for Reforms and the
Difficulties in Implementing Them
Christina Lopez

2. INTRODUCTION
 A brief introduction on what I am researching and how I’m doing it
(including how I am abroad and why I decided to study abroad
and how I’m utilizing the experience).

3. HISTORY
 This section discusses the history of English education in Japan
from when it first spread in the 1800s.

4. EXAM SYSTEM: HISTORY
 This section talks about the history of exams and why they are
considered so important in Japan.

5. EXAM SYSTEM: CURRENT
 This slide explains that exams are just as valued now as they
were years ago and the competition that exists to enter university.
 An industry of cram schools emerged to help students get ahead
in such a competitive environment. (Cram Schools may be
introduced in its own section)

6. MINISTRY REFORMS
 This section goes into the different reforms Japan’s Ministry of
Education has introduced. The current reforms that are being
implemented may have its own slide/section.

7. COMMUNICATIVE APPROACH
 This section explains the method of teaching that the Ministry is
trying to implement.

8. REFORM ISSUES
 This section explains the various issues that schools are having
with implementing the Ministry’s reforms. Though this section
references the importance of exams, it is not the only reason why
there has been resistance.

9. REFORM SOLUTIONS
 This section offers some simple solutions that can be introduced
to the Ministry as they evaluate their reforms, and also to teachers
who find the Ministry’s reforms too difficult to implement.

10. ALTERNATIVE TEACHING TOOLS
 This section is related to the last as it discusses some teaching
methods that focus on English communication. It also offers
teachers tools (like apps) that they can use to increase a student’s
communication skills.

11. MY TIME IN JAPAN
 This section includes the observations I’ve made abroad when
speaking with Japanese students or other foreigners who have
been in the English education system here (through teaching).

12. ENGLISH IN OTHER COUNTRIES
 This section is also about my time abroad, but discusses what I’ve
found regarding English education in other countries.

13. THE FUTURE
 This section addresses how English education may change and
how it can do so, connecting all the previous slides and
concluding the presentation.