Enhancing Japanese elementary and junior high-school foreign language education

Abstract

Enhancing Japanese elementary and junior high-school foreign language education Our ongoing research, fuelled by last year’s research grant, delves into the theme of “Evaluation of Foreign Language Education Fostering Children’s Thinking, Judgment, Expressiveness and Autonomous Attitude in the Digital Age.” This multi-year endeavour aligns with the significant changes unfolding in Japanese education, particularly the revision of elementary school curriculum guidelines, now entering its third year. The era of VUCA, marked by Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity and Ambiguity, has ushered in a period of profound educational reform. The dominance of AI, DX and digital advancements underscores the need for a substantial paradigm shift in perspectives on learning, instruction, and evaluation. Japan stands at the forefront of this transformative journey, with the current educational landscape demanding the most extensive post-war reform.