| Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha) |
TERAUCHI Hajime Takachiho University Liberal Arts Associate Professor, 教養部, 助教授 (50307146)
MIYAMA Akiko Osaka Institute of Technology Engineering Professor, 工学部, 教授 (80301646)
野口 ジュデイー 津多江 武庫川女子大学, 薬学部, 教授
SAITO Sanae Tokai University Literature Associate Professor, 文学部, 助教授
NOGUCHI Judy T. Mukogawa Women's University Pharmacy Professor
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| Research Abstract |
The purpose of this research is to investigate teaching and learning English in higher education, to develop a practical ESP (English for Specific Purposes) methodology, and to present some ideas of better English education to society.
In 2001, 1) we collected the resources for developing ESP methodology and carried out needs analysis, and 2) carried out the survey of ESP materials for science and technology students as well. More specifically, we a) investigated ESP studies in Japan, b) revised the specialist informant survey, c) collected specialists for interviewing, d) studied previous papers, e) realized the realities of English classrooms at each faculty and f) English textbooks for science and technology, g) surveyed each professional discourse community, h) shared ideas with other ESP researchers, i) participated in conferences, j) researched ESP in the world, and k) tried to build network with ESP researchers and teachers. They are reported in the interim report published in March 2002.
In 2002, we tried to find problems in teaching English as professional purposes at college in Japan by analyzing the results of the specialist informant survey. Moreover, we focused on developing better English textbooks for science and technology. The details of these two researches are reported in the final edition.
In summary, both reports (the interim and final versions) conclude the following points: 1) it is evident that there are still no specific methodologies for college English classrooms in each faculty; 2) ESP theories and practices so far are effective and useful for teachers to change their own ideas and methods in their classrooms, and 3) it is very urgent to develop better ESP teaching methods and effective ESP materials and to implement ESP teacher training.
The final report shows practical suggestions and frameworks to change current situations and some examples of ESP-based lesson plans for several faculties.
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