Speaker
Abstract section 1: Relevance
In Japan, English mandatory education has been launched for elementary 3rd graders because of an early language education policy. Not only students’ parents but also goverment aim at growing the English abilities of the younger generation. Therefore, English out of school currisulms are booming to meet their demands, and some parent are looking for schools or institutions for their children. To respond to these demands, this presenter opened a private school and has been teaching English to local children for 28 years.
Abstract section 2: Contribution/research questions
Especially, Communicative English Teaching (CLT) is beneficial for the students whose English levels are different because each student engaged task-based language activities with an enjoyable feeling. In addition, they have gradually improved their communicative competence through performance tests. Due to the rubric, all students set the test goals and made efforts to achieve them. This cycled learning is a principle for the students, and they established a learning scheme step by step.
Abstract section 3: Content/method
To observe and know how and why these learners gained their motivation toward language learning and improved their communicative competence, action research was planned. From April 2024 to March 2025, this research was conducted and collected both qualitative and quantitative data. Interviews were also carried out twice in this action research, and questionnaires were collected to detect these students' feelings. Video shootings of the performance tests were held and used to analyze their improvements
Abstract section 4: Outcomes/results
The qualitative data were taken from students’ questionnaires and interviews. The quantitative data were collected in performance tests such as speaking and writing tests.
The rubrics were students-friendy and performance tests are doable-oriented and focused more fruelny than accuracy.
The action research results are 1. These students improved their communicative competencies through task-based language learning 2. They have changed their learning attitudes to be autonomous learners 3. They gained their motivation towards language learning. The analysis has bias because only this presenter conducted this research, and the control group was not set up due to ethical reasons.
| Title | How Young Learners Improved their Communicative Comptence |
|---|---|
| Teaching Context | Conversation/language school |