Shadowing, a practice of repeating what one hears as simultaneously and accurately as possible, has been researched in the Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) field for years. The research findings have shown that shadowing contributes to English as a Foreign Language (EFL) learners' bottom-up listening skills, which leads to…

Background: The use of computers has increased in speaking assessments; however, there are concerns about how the absence of an interlocutor affects performance on speaking tests. Method: In the current study, the test scores and the underlying factor structures of monologic tasks were compared between two delivery modes: computer delivery and…

This article explores the design and implementation of critical action research undertaken to encourage equal classroom participation. Building on a body of literature on critical action research and oral participation, the author reports her research project undertaken in a multi-lingual and multi-ethnic class in Japan to examine practices of how…

The work of Harold E. Palmer during his stay in Japan from 1922 to 1936 is described. The focus is mainly on his oral method, a contribution which influenced English teaching in Japan. (Author/SW)

Major learning models pertaining to second language oral and writing instruction are explored with an intent to make practical suggestions for the field of second language instruction in Japan. A proposal for integrating a variety of instructional innovations, rather than incorporating isolated innovations is presented. Selection of appropriate…

This study investigated the effectiveness of a natural environment language training procedure that combined the mand-model procedure and the time delay procedure for the acquisition of noun signs and for the spontaneous use of the signs acquired. One autistic boy, aged 5 years, 4 months with no verbal imitation skills and few movement imitation…

This paper briefly outlines the theory and development of Values Clarification and explores its possible applications to English as a foreign language (EFL). The five basic types of Values Clarification exercises are discussed: (1) interviewing, (2) rank-ordering, (3) forced choice, (4) values continuum, and (5) sentence completion. The theory and…