Teaching/Learning English in English at Japanese Senior High Schools:Practical Tips for Teachers

The author’s survey last year revealed that the MEXT’s proposal to conduct English classes in English has evoked feelings of confusion and apprehension among senior high school teachers and students. This article offers some practical tips for teachers in implementing the changes. First, the author discusses how teachers should prepare for such classes. Secondly, a sample class plan is presented for different phases of a class. “Scaffolding” is one of the key ideas in providing necessary assistance to students. The author then discusses the use of physical and visual messages, when and how to use the techniques of recast, clarification request, corrective feedback, paraphrasing, codeswitching and display questions, and when and how to make use of L1