The Development of CAN-DO List in a Small Combined Junior and Senior High School

Abstract

According to the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, all high schools in Japan are expected to establish specific learning attainment targets in the form of 'CAN-DO lists.' Although a lot of studies have introduced the process of developing their own 'CAN-DO lists,' there is no research investigating how the 'CAN-DO lists' should be created in a small school. This study shows how the 'CAN-DO lists' were created and validated in Hokkaido Erimo high school, a small combined junior and senior high school. First, the attainment goal at the point of graduation from Erimo high school was set by the teachers in Erimo elementary, junior, and senior high schools. Second, using Eiken 'CAN-DO lists,' multiple-choice questionnaires were created and administered to the teachers and students. With reference to the results, fully validated 'CAN-DO lists' of Erimo high school could be developed. There are three more advantages in this study. First, thanks to the questionnaire, the 'CAN-DO lists' would contribute to the students' motivation to learn English. Second, through this study, a lot of teachers could communicate with each other beyond the difference of schools and subjects. Third, there is a positive backwash effect on creating the 'CAN-DO lists' in other schools and subjects. From these findings, a suggestion for future research of improving 'CAN-DO lists' is discussed.