An Assessment of Foreign Language Education at Niigata University

Several attempts have been made to reform foreign language education at Niigata University, however, none have succeeded to this date. Unfortunately, the budget cut due to the establishment of the University Corporation next year will oblige the university to curtail its foreign language programs. This study analyzes the attitude and ability of Niigata University students regarding foreign languages and investigates the possibility of making the foreign language programs more efficient and effective. According to the questionnaire conducted among juniors, they are not satisfied with their English education, while quite a number of them appreciate other foreign language programs, particularly for their introduction to foreign culture as well as language. The TOEIC test conducted among freshmen indicates that the ability gap among them is tremendously wide and that it is impractical to teach English without placement tests. Following the results of the questionnaire and the TOEIC test, the author proposes that English education should be differentiated according to levels and that other foreign language programs should be optional or intensive for the selective students