Content-Based Instruction for Advanced Japanese

The Alliance of Associations of Teachers of Japanese offered the first course in its JOINT online professional development program in September 2008 and January/February 2009. This pilot course, entitled "Content-Based Instruction for Advanced Japanese: Course Development and Language Training" was open to both native and non-native-speaking teachers of Japanese. During the one-month course participants learned about and created content-based instruction (CBI) lessons that develop both advanced reading skills and cultural knowledge of students. The course enhanced both the language proficiency and the pedagogy repertoire of the participating teachers.

The CBI course will be offered again on a rotating basis as part of the JOINT course program, most likely in 2010 or 2011.

Description: The course consists of four parts: (1) principles of CBI, (2) curriculum development for CBI, (3) instructional strategies for CBI, and (4) assessment. The course utilizes existing materials as examples, but hands-on experience is emphasized, and course participants are required to create their own materials to be used in their classes. Participants work on assigned readings and lectures independently and also engage in collaborative learning, working in pairs or groups that include both native and non-native-speaking teachers. Assignments and evaluations are individualized to accommodate the differing needs of the participants. Participants will be asked for permission to share the materials they create (via the Alliance website) with the broader Japanese language education community after the end of the course.

Faculty: Dr. Eiko Ushida, University of California, San Diego; Dr. Masako O. Douglas, California State University, Long Beach.

Schedule: Participants are expected to spend at least five hours a week on coursework: one hour for reading, one hour listening to a lecture, one hour in discussion, and a minimum of two hours on materials development.

Materials: Selected reading materials will be made available online.

Credit and Grading: Graduate credit will be made available for those who wish it, at a reasonable cost. (usually $50 per credit.) Those participants who elect to receive credit will receive grades for the course; grades will be based on participation, materials development projects, completion of assigned readings, and self/peer evaluation.

Fees: The fee for the course will be announced when the course is offered. Course fees in the JOINT program range from $50 to $100.

Required Technical Background for Participants: Participants should be familiar with basic Internet features such as looking for information, reading online materials, downloading materials, sending and receiving emails, and online chatting. Experience with using Skype (voice and/or webcam) and Google Groups would be a plus. A fast Internet connection (Ethernet or wireless) will be needed to work on various online activities. Modem connection is not recommended.

The Alliance is grateful to the following organizations for financial support of the JOINT program: the Japan Foundation, the Shoyu Club, and the Toshiba International Foundation.