KEITA SHINOGAYA (GAKUSHUIN UNIVERSITY)

HOW TO ENHANCE SRL SKILLS THROUGH ENGLISH CLASS IN JAPAN : METHODOLOGIES AND TEACHING APPROACHES

Learning English in the foreign language learning environment of Japan is not easy. For consolidating knowledge and skills, previous studies have pointed out the necessity to acquire 'self-regulated learning skills’ that involve reflecting on one’s understanding, maintaining high motivation, and employing effective learning strategies. This study focused on an English class for second-year middle school students (n = 200) and implemented educational practices centered on metacognition, motivation, and learning strategies. Initially, to promote changes in learning strategies, a meeting for exchanging views on learning strategies was held after the regular exams, and students were encouraged to present the strategies they used after the meetings. In the final session, students who had significantly improved their scores since the previous exam were asked to present. Additionally, to enable learning while activating students’ metacognition, students were asked to reflect on their level of understanding after the regular exams. Moreover, each morning, by carrying out quizzes to review basic knowledge such as English vocabulary and grammar, to enhance students’ motivation by allowing students to feel their skill improvement. The questionnaire survey conducted before and after a school year revealed that the teaching method mentioned above increased the awareness of the importance of learning strategies, improved motivation, and also confirmed that the number of students who progressed in their learning while verifying their understanding increased.

Tokyo university Graduate school of Tokyo university (Ph.D in Education) Professor in Nihon university Professor in Gakushuin university