Language teacher education is widely identified as one of the most important areas that needs addressing in order to improve early language instruction, yet research into teacher education for early language teachers remains relatively sparse. This volume responds to this gap by compiling studies with diverse methodological tenets from a wide…

In today's educational world, it is crucial for language teachers to continuously evolve in order to best serve language learners. Further study on the best practices and challenges in the language classroom is crucial to ensure instructors continue to grow as educators. The "Handbook of Research on Language Teacher Identity" addresses…

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…

This publication takes a look at lesson study both in its Japanese form and as it is being implemented in the United States. It contains the lesson study process, the rationale for using such an approach, and illustrates how teachers and administrators around the United States are taking the first steps toward adapting and implementing lesson…

Development education, the process of sensitizing citizens of industrialized countries to the problems of the third world, and related issues of global development, has gained acceptance among educators in recent years. To respond to this global approach to development, a National Assembly ("Global Crossroads: Educating Americans for…

The study sought to examine developmental processes of substitution in the pretend play of Down's syndrome children and to clarify the onset mechanism of subskills in decontextualization, which refers to the progress from imitation to substitution and then to invention. Eighteen Japanese children, aged 29-55 months, with Down's syndrome were given…

The collaborative curriculum development process in a postsecondary language education program in Japan is described, looking specifically at the work of five curriculum development teams, or focus groups: needs assessment; curriculum aims, goals, and objectives; cognitive development and learner strategies; materials development; and learner…

Eleven specific suggestions for American advocates of the gifted and talented to follow, based on the Japanese way of handling such matters, are offered, including the provision of creative materials for young children and their parents and training in group and team creativity. (Author/DLS)

This teacher's guide presents teaching suggestions and presentation materials about natural resources as economic assets contributing to national economic productivity. The term "natural resource accounting" or "green accounting" is introduced for valuing natural resources as capital in economic systems. The lesson is divided…

Three adult education programs being conducted in Japan are described in the case studies in this packet. The first case study (by K. Moro'oka) describes an adult education center in Ohyama in which education and community services are integrated. The program first put emphasis on community building, then on the development of human resources.…

This curriculum unit consists of a series of lesson plans focused on Japan for preschool students ages 3 to 5 years. The unit has five themes: (1) geography; (2) language; (3) people and clothing; (4) customs; and (5) food. Each theme has from four to eight activity lessons which address different developmental domains, including language, social…

This teacher's guide presents teaching suggestions and presentation materials about the world's oceans and the important role humans play in maintaining the life and health of the oceans. The lesson is divided into five parts and can be taught in one class period or divided into segments. Student handouts include: (1) "Facts about Oceans and…

Some Japanese cultural characteristics that foster creativity, giftedness, and achievement are examined: and based on these, eight specific suggestions are offered that might be useful in solving some of America's national problems of underachievement, particularly among gifted and talented children. (DLS)

The United States-Japan Cooperative Science Program was initiated for the purpose of conducting research related to logical thinking and reasoning skills of science students. The findings of these research efforts were reported and discussed at a seminar for science educators from the United States and Japan. This report provides the review of the…

Although self-directed learning (SDL) has been promoted by businesses as being needed by managers, traditional business schools have not promoted this type of learning. In addition, some adult learners are not ready for SDL, and some subjects (such as accounting) are not suitable for SDL. The concept of self-directed learning readiness (SDLR) can…