Uniqueness of Wanda’s study:
Elementary school English education in Japan is unique in that students are supposed to learn English experientially and no explicit instruction on language is given. There is also no formal evaluation. Furthermore, Japanese children learn an l1 writing system completely different from English which makes learning English letters and sounds more challenging. This study will investigate how teachers attempt to teach letters and students perception of this instruction and attainment in this unique environment.
- Is there a relationship between students’ backgrounds and their phonemic awareness?
- Test score data and questionnaire data
- What is the nature of phonics instruction at the school and how do students perceive it?
- Step 1: Based on your field notes, describe the elementary school phonics instruction
- Step 2: Use questionnaire items to analyze students’ perce0tions. Question items 3, 8, 10
- 3. I like English activities in class
- 8. Learning about the sound of English letters has been useful
- 10. Learning about the sound of English letters at school has improved my pronunciation.