A blended learning model for English language learning in Japan

In this globally connected world English has become increasingly important for Japanese medical professionals. There is growing need for them to understand and use English at conferences and/or workshops in the presentation of papers or the exchange of ideas. As well there are ever increasing opportunities to communicate with other medical staff and patients in English. Unfortunately, due to the existing extensive curricula of medical schools in Japan, English classes are usually scheduled only for the first 2 to 3 years of a 6-year-long curriculum. The need for learners to be proficient in English, combined with an already overcrowded curriculum, places a great deal of pressure on medical school teachers of English. They need to review their pedagogical approaches and strategically plan when to teach, identify what needs to be taught, organise how they should engage their learners to fully maximize the impact of the time allocated for English teaching. In addressing these questions English teachers at Shimane University have begun exploring the use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) to deliver media-rich and interactive content to learners. This case study will outline the design of the blended learning model implemented, describes the development of an instrument to investigate the learning environment created and discusses the results obtained from the use of this instrument