An Effective Way of Teaching to Help Students Become Motivated Learners

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  • 学ぶ意欲を引き出す効果的な学習法の研究
  • マナブ イヨク オ ヒキダス コウカテキ ナ ガクシュウホウ ノ ケンキュウ

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This paper examines an effective way to teach and learn English syntax. This study focused on the use of the learners' mother tongue, Japanese. The learners consisted of 31 college students taking an English class as part of general education. For entry-level learners, English has been incredibly difficult and has resulted in low confidence in their ability to learn a new language. To remedy this situation and open a gate to the joys of understanding English, I used word order exercises. Students are provided with English words, as well as a Japanese sentence added as a hint. Learners are firstly directed to look for a verb in the Japanese sentence; then they have to find a Japanese subject. In the Japanese language, word order is very flexible and subjects may sometimes be omitted. Through these practices, the students gradually get used to both Japanese and English syntax. Since English syntax is counterintuitive to Japanese learners of English, nothing starts before learners realize the importance of word order. Making use of Japanese competency can help learners learn English better. This way of teaching can transform learners into full-fledged and highly-motivated students. The term-end test conducted after a period of three months showed that more than half of the students got a higher mark than in the first exam. According to the questionnaires given to them at the end of the first semester, learners solved word order questions with confidence. The conclusion is that this method is recommendable for its effect on learning syntax.

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