This book critiques dominant discourses and debates pertaining to cultural identity, set against the current backdrop of growing social stratification and unequal access to quality education. It addresses current discourses concerning globalisation, ideologies and the state, as well as approaches to constructing national, ethnic and religious…

This book focuses on appropriate English for Academic Purposes instructional concepts and methods in the Japanese context. It investigates a variety of pedagogical techniques, addressing the fundamental academic English skills -- listening, speaking, reading and writing -- as well as assessment and materials development. All the research included…

This policy profile on education in Japan is part of the "Education Policy Outlook" series, which presents comparative analysis of education policies and reforms across the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries. Building on the OECD's substantial comparative and sectorial policy knowledge base, the…

In this book, leading scholars in the field examine the available research on the use of evidence in education and provide suggestions for strengthening the research-to-practice pipeline. Critics within and outside the field of education often point out the absence of a strong reciprocal connection between research and practice. The emergence of…

These 30 lesson plans were designed to accompany "Contemporary Japan: A Teaching Workbook", a collection of class activities, primary source selections, student readings, and role-play exercises. The lesson plans are based primarily on materials in the workbook, although materials from other sources also are recommended. Some of the…

This art activity involves secondary students in sculpturing netsukes, Japanese carvings dating back to the seventeenth century, from bars of soap. How the activity can be adapted for use with elementary students is also discussed. (RM)

Suggests ways in which art can be used to introduce students in high school level social studies classes to Japanese culture. Methods include showing students pictures of screens or buildings, asking students to write paragraphs about daily life, asking students to analyze woodblock prints, and directing students to read and try their hand at…

This report presents topics addressed at the December 2000 seminar on Capacity-Building for Curriculum Specialists from East and South-East Asia. Part 1, "Rethinking the Framework and the Capacities Needed for Curriculum Reform," gives some perspectives on trends and issues in curriculum change for the 21st century, both internationally…

Suggests that a good starting point for social studies curriculum units on Japan at the secondary school level is an analysis of the interrelationships between Japan and the United States. Information is presented on population figures, industrialization, standard of living indicators, consumer price indexes, and crude birth and death rates for…

A collection of sources of information about Japan and resource materials available for teaching about Japan are included in this document. Part one, "Who and Where" lists names and addresses from a variety of sources including the Embassy and Consulates General of Japan, the Japan Foundation, Japan Trade Centers (Japan External Trade…

Introduces American students to the Japanese language through everyday expressions and through basic vocabulary on topics including days of the week, dates, and time. A few basic grammar and pronunciation rules are also presented. (DB)

As examples of how a social studies unit on Japan can make us of various art forms, the article suggests ways in which teachers can incorporate information about sculpted figures, box covers, temple decoration, wooden figures, costumes, screens, jars, and water colours into the curriculum. (DB)

This two-part document serves as a guide to basic materials on Asia. The first part provides the teacher of Asian studies with nonserial examples of pertinent professional materials and reference books in print since 1979. Criteria used in selecting the items are given and a brief comparison between materials available in 1969 and 1985 is made.…

Discusses features of the "Basic Science" course in Japan; reasons why few students selected basic science; the development of Science I and Science II (results of the curriculum revision); and the relationship between Basic Science, Science I, and Science II. Science I and II objectives are provided in the appendices. (JN)

By examining the role of the teacher in Japanese schools, we can discover directions to follow and to avoid in developing the teaching profession in our own country. (Author/TE)