Japanese health and physical education teachers’ positioning in teaching Japanese language learners in high school physical education

Abstract

ABSTRACT Background In recent years, the number of Japanese Language Learner (JLL) students, or children who speak a language other than Japanese and require Japanese language instruction, has been rapidly increasing in Japanese schools. Successful inclusion of students who use Japanese as a second language in the classroom creates opportunities for all students to engage with multiple languages and learn new cultures, backgrounds, history, and aspects of diversity that help them strengthen their overall cognitive abilities [Sato, T., and S. R. Hodge. 2009. “Asian International Doctoral Students’ Experiences at Two American University: Assimilation, Accommodation, and Resistance.” Journal of Diversity in Higher Education 2(3): 136-148]. In particular, physical education (PE) is considered an academic subject that can be a powerful tool to promote peace, tolerance, and understanding by bringing people together across boundaries, cultures, and religions by promoting the concepts of teamwork, fairness, discipline, and respect for the opponent in a game or activity [Beutler, I. 2008. “Sport Serving Development and Peace: Achieving the Goals of the United Nations Through Sport.” Sport in Society 11 (4): 359–369]. The purpose of this study is to describe and explain Japanese high school health and physical education (HPE) teachers’ positioning of themselves and others, as shown through a storyline, when they teach and assist Japanese Language Learner (JLL) students in academic and social contexts. Participants and setting Seven HPE teachers participated in this study by sharing their thoughts, opinions, and experiences related to teaching JLL students in PE. The teachers had between 3 and 23 years of experience teaching PE, and 2–9 years of experience teaching JLL students in high school PE. Research design This study utilized a descriptive-qualitative design using an in-depth, semi-structured interview approach [Seidman, I. 2019. Interviewing as Qualitative Research: A Guide for Researchers in Education and the Social Sciences. 5th ed. New York: Teacher College Press]. A constant comparative analysis method was used to analyze the data. In this study, the process of constantly comparing data from several sources led to tentative categories that were compared to each other and to other data in order to construct categories. In this study, meaningful narrative phrases were those related to PE pedagogical content and teacher development. Findings Explainable by concepts in positioning theory [Harré, R., and L. van Langenhove. 1999. “The Dynamics of Social Episodes.” In Positioning Theory: Moral Contexts of Intentional Action, edited by R. Harré, and L. van Langenhove, 1–13. Oxford: Blackwell], three major interrelated and complex themes emerged from the data analysis: (a) teachers’ positioning in securing a safe learning environment for JLL students in PE, (b) teachers’ dilemma in assessing JLL students’ learning outcomes based on performance assessments and written exams in PE, and (c) teachers’ positioning in their responsibilities as both teacher and host parent. To enhance the quality of PE classes, school districts need clear and focused goals related to assessment and evaluation, instructional planning, and responsibilities involved in teaching JLL students.