Speakers
Abstract section 1: Relevance
Second foreign languages are even more threatened than English in Japanese universities, a situation further aggravated by the rise of AI. Yet languages are windows to the human experience, and learning several foreign languages contributes to the development of richer, more flexible minds. Interactive, fun and efficient teaching methods are needed, especially for oral communication courses.
Abstract section 2: Contribution/research questions
This session presents a framework for teaching second foreign languages oral communication courses at the complete beginner level, using French teaching as a concrete example. The challenge is twofold: helping students grasp the fundamentals of the language while providing an engaging classroom experience.
Abstract section 4: Outcomes/results
Participants will come away with practical strategies for conducting oral communication classes with complete beginners who largely lack intrinsic motivation. Cultural considerations will also be discussed, with a focus on how to build and maintain a positive class dynamic.
Abstract section 3: Content/method
The key to effective teaching at this level lies in centering lessons on conversations about everyday life topics. This allows students to encounter and manipulate French grammar in a context that is meaningful to them, while experiencing the pleasure of real interpersonal communication in the target language. The presenters will share a classroom sequence developed and refined over more than 25 years of teaching at Japanese universities.
| Title | Teaching French from Zero: Keeping Beginners Engaged |
|---|---|
| Teaching Context | College and university education |