University hosts Japanese teachers

Naohiro Kubo is one of twelve Japanese professors who are taking part in a four-month English as a Foreign Language (EFL) pedagogy training session on campus.

For a second time, the University of Ottawa will be the main campus for one of the six-month EFL teacher training programs offered by the Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports and Technology (MEXT).

Thirteen Japanese English teachers arrived in Ottawa on August 29 to study at the Second Language Institute, where they will do methodology training, classroom observation, and preparation of a teaching portfolio, including a substantial project on some aspect of communicative language teaching.

For the two months previous, the students, ages 30 to 43 years, did language training and academic preparation at York University and the University of Toronto. The program ends on December 9 when the students return to Japan.

“The main objective of the program,” says Bianca Sherwood, Coordinator of Special Programs at the Institute, “is to help teachers develop their skills and confidence, so they can use English as the medium for teaching English in Japan and help their students become functional in English.” This is a significant shift away from learning and teaching about English with a view to passing exams.

Despite significant cuts to the program — from four campuses worldwide, including Great Britain and New Zealand to two — MEXT retained Canada. It is the only program of its kind in North America: a very elite and complete program that includes homestay with local families, and a socio-cultural component.