<研究ノート>Problems of Content-based English Teaching

Abstract

The content-based, or issue oriented, approach of English education is gradually achieving recogninion in Japan's adult English classrooms including colleges and universities. The trend partly stems from growing pressure on the Japanese to achieve practical English proficiency in order to become active participants of the international community. Some of the advantages of content-based are: ･ large input of authentic English ･ aquisition of cultural literacy ･ high satisfaction of learners ･ well-focused study habits However, this method has several problems which need to be overcome in order to reach its pedagogical goal. In order to make the approach more accessible I will attempt to heed attention to the following problems which need to be dealt with sensibly: ･ value difference between the teacher and the students which may silence the students ･ unduly or dogmatic influence of issue-oriented materials adopted from American or British media on students ･ the possibility of introducing "critical thinking" to Japanese students The problems, however, should not discourage the promotion of the content-based approach. A great deal of empirical evidence suggests that this seemingly difficult approach is highly effective.