Utilizing student-generated video podcasts in a Japanese English as a Foreign Language classroom

Abstract

Japan has been quick to adopt a variety of innovative technologies. Changing English education, on the other hand, is a very slow process in Japan. Consequently, though Japanese students score high in other subject areas, their abilities in English lag behind other Asian nations. In response, the Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology (MEXT) has revised English educational guidelines for all levels of education. Despite these efforts, ineffective teaching methods, low student motivation, and unique cultural factors contribute to Japanese students' poor listening and speaking skills in English. The incorporation of information and communications technology (ICT) into English as a Foreign Language (EFL) classrooms has been suggested as a possible tool for increasing student motivation and enhancing listening and speaking skills. Audio and video podcasts are examples of ICT tools that can be easily adapted for use in EFL classrooms. In this paper will discuss how podcasts enhance English skills by providing additional time-on-task, improving listening and speaking skills, addressing a variety of learner needs and styles, and increasing student motivation. I will explain the benefits and potential drawbacks to using podcasts in EFL classrooms. Through the lens of digital natives and technology saturation, I will explore how podcasts may be especially effective in a Japanese EFL setting. Finally, I will outline a plan for integrating student-created video podcasting into a high school EFL class in Japan.