Where to begin?

I was somewhat dubious about beginning the MA TEFL course because I have run into too many academic types over the years who seemed like they couldn't teach their way out of a wet paper bag. They were long on theory, but unbelievably short on the practicalities and/or realities of teaching. I swore to myself that, if I started the MA, I would endeavor to become a "practical academic'. I would focus on things that were directly relevant to the students in my classroom, things that could actually help them to learn English.

So, since the beginning of this MA course, I've been collecting interesting articles and research papers that relate to teaching EFL in Japanese junior and senior high schools (known as JSHS from now on) and I would like to make them available on this blog for others to use. I have also collected things that relate to affective issues such as motivation and learner expectations. Additionally, I have already developed a few "pet interests" such as the role of questions and feedback in class, extensive reading, vocabulary acquisition, and the role of the mother tongue in EFL classes.

As I begin to figure out how to organize my collection in order to make it available to others, I'll happily begin sharing...

Looking for some answers

After 18 years of teaching EFL in Japan by instinct and by trial & error, I began an MA TEFL through the distance program at the University of Birmingham in April 2006. I highly recommend it for anyone looking to develop professionally or to 'go deeper' into teaching. It is challenging and stimulating albeit overwhelming at times.

I have found myself becoming increasingly frustrated that most of the readings in my course are ESL based and/or based on research done in countries other than Japan.

Therefore, my aim with this blog is three-fold:

1. I would like to collect relevant research that has been conducted in Japan.

2. I would like to do some collaborative action research related to junior and senior high school teaching.

3. I would like to build a network of teachers with similar interests.

I look forward to the adventures that lie ahead.

Steve