日本語中級クラス(J6)におけるプロジェクトの試み

This paper reports on the results of "Student-Directed Approach" (gakusei shudogata gakushu) in which foreign students, capitalizing on their being in Japan, carried out independent studies on themes of their own choosing. Details and outcomes of the entire process are discussed, examining each step from preliminary research and independent activities to final presentations. Throughout this learning process, the following was observed on the side of the students.; an increase in reading comprehension ability and in the ability to scan and select the relevant information from massive amounts of materials; improvement of ability to understand audio-visual aids; improvement of strategies for creating an appropriate approach for interviewing and conducting surveys ; as well as in initiating conversations with strangers; the desire to seek out effective methods and techniques for better oral presentations; and an eagerness to write their reports at greater length. On the other hand, there were problems such as a lack of readiness for unforeseen accidents which might occur during off-campus activities, the enormous amount of time and effort required for extra-class activities; failure to balance in-class learning with project work; and the absence of enough chances to utilize the fruits of their activities. We hope to come up with solutions to these problems while developing further techniques for learning through first-hand experience in authentic Japanese communication environments