MASAYO AKAZAWA (BUKKYO UNIVERSITY)

ANALYSIS OF ELEMENTARY SCHOOL ENGLISH TEXTBOOKS: IMPLEMENTATION OF BACKWARD DESIGN AND PERFORMANCE TASKS IN JAPAN : MATERIALS DESIGN

This study compares the structure and quality of activities in elementary school English textbooks and teaching guides in Japan, examining the 1st version versus the revised edition. It aims to clarify the implementation of unit design based on Backward Design, incorporating Performance Tasks with Performance Assessment. Textbooks significantly influence lesson structures in Japanese education, revealing intentions behind lesson planning and methods for assessing children's learning achievements. Activities at the end of each unit in the top three share-rated textbooks were analyzed, revealing that all units for fifth and sixth graders include Performance Tasks, emphasizing communication in realistic situations with specific audiences. However, there's a disproportionate emphasis on tasks where students communicate about themselves to friends, and a perceived lack of necessity for activities like communicating Japanese culture to foreigners. Japanese elementary school English textbooks, introduced since April 2020 with revised editions in April 2024, were compared regarding activity quantity, types, unit planning, and Performance Task quality. The study explores whether similar trends persist or if efforts are made to introduce more diverse Performance Task settings. Additionally, the increased emphasis on assessing children's Learning Achievement in revised editions is significant. Interviews with teachers revealed that experienced teachers consider Performance Task settings, while novice teachers may overlook Performance Assessment settings, relying solely on textbook activities. In summary, this presentation highlights deliberate unit design inclusion based on Backward Design and Performance Tasks to immerse children in realistic situations, through a comparative analysis of previous and revised versions of Japanese elementary school English textbooks.

As an Associate Professor at Bukkyo University's Faculty of Education in Japan, I specialize in curriculum development and educational methodologies, with a primary focus on teaching English to elementary school students.