自己への気づきを重視した英語ライティング授業 : 人格形成と精神的成熟を目指して

抄録

This study proposed a new pedagogical approach of teaching English writing processes and strategies to first-year Japanese college learners. The teaching method was designed to help the students acknowledge the importance of language use for the development of self-identity, including a spiritual sense of values and personal beliefs toward socially responsible adulthood and good citizenship. The pedagogical emphasis, therefore, was focused on how successfully the learners can develop their character forming through self-focused materials and tasks in both their mother tongue (i.e., Japanese) and a foreign language (i.e., English). Several unique materials, including a Japanese book which highlighted critical issues on contemporary Japanese college students, were used so that the students could identify their campus and future life-related problems then struggle to solve them by themselves. The learners were also encouraged to appreciate the possible changes in their ways of thinking, learning attitudes, and learning strategies through various writing assignments and the follow-up in-class presentations in both languages. Positive results were gained from a survey after the study. Many participants suggested that self-focused materials and tasks along with learner-centeredness can contribute to their good self-study habits, including self-regulated learning strategies and self-monitored learning practices.