Teaching University Students ESL in Japan

(Pictured: Nihonbashi Bridge in Tokyo by Paul Canosa)

One thing to keep in mind about Japanese university students, is that their agenda may not match yours. For four years, they are expecting to have fun, make new friends, and learn--and probably in that exact order of importance.

Unless you are lucky enough to be teaching English majors, you may have to structure your class accordingly. Like an esteemed colleague suggested: you may need to give something to the students,so they will give something back to you--and your goal of teaching English.

I always keep in mind that the guys and the girls want to get to know each other. And I of course, want to teach them English. How can I combine the two goals?

Group Projects

One way is through group projects. At the start of the term I hand out a sheet of different projects they can do.

They can choose from a number of projects such as:

Tell us about your favorite movie, write and perform a play in English, make a school newspapaper, tell us about your favouritemusicians. The also have the option of creating their ownproject. Unfortunately few do. I wish they would though.I would love more of their ideas.

These projects allow them more input in to the class, and I think we all learn a lot more of value because of it. The more realia we can bring to our lessons the better, in my view.

As much as possible, English classes should be about what they are interested in.

More on English teaching in Japan`s universities

How do you motivate Japanese university students?

(University Students ESL Photo: Sunpu Park (by Paul Canosa)

From university students ESL to How to teach English in Japan (home)