Current Status of Teaching Reading Comprehension in Japanese Language Education : A Study of Focus Group Interviews with High School Teachers

Abstract

[Purpose] This study investigated how teachers of high school Japanese classes deal with the purpose of and the problems involved in teaching reading comprehension. [Method] Focus group interviews were conducted with high school teachers, and results were analyzed qualitatively and categorized. [Results] Regarding the purpose, taking exams, introduction to knowledge, formation of scholastic ability, and formation of society were extracted as four categories. A total of 14 categories were extracted regarding problems involved, including lack of consistency in the objectives of essay reading comprehension instruction, specificity of the essay, the state of research on teaching materials, learner diversity, and the state of learner-centered classes. [Conclusion] In contrast to teachers' pinpointing purposes of reading comprehension instruction, they are aware of a variety of problems involved in such instruction. The expansion of pedagogical theories regarding reading comprehension instruction should be based on such educator attitudes.