Uses of Japanese in the English Classroom

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DOCUMENT RESUME ED 422 746 FL 025 452 AUTHOR TITLE PUB DATE NOTE PUB TYPE JOURNAL CIT EDRS PRICE DESCRIPTORS IDENTIFIERS Weschler, Robert Uses of Japanese in the English Classroom: Introducing the Functional-Translation Method. 1997-09-00 27p.; Paper presented at the Annual Meeting of the Japan Association of Language Teachers (23rd, Hamamatsu, Japan, October 9-12, 1997). Journal Articles (080) Reports Descriptive (141) Speeches/Meeting Papers (150) Kyoritsu Women's University Department of International Studies Journal; n12 p 87-110 Sep 1997 MF01/PCO2 Plus Postage. *Classroom Communication; Classroom Techniques; *English (Second Language); Foreign Countries; *Japanese; *Language of Instruction; Language Role; Language Usage; Second Language Instruction; Teaching Methods Japan ABSTRACT A discussion of the use of Japanese in the English language classroom in Japan proposes that whatever justification is given for the English-only classroom is based on two flawed arguments: (1) outright rejection of the traditional grammar-translation method; and (2) the false assumption that an English-only requirement is an essential element of current "communicative" methodologies. The translation element of the grammar-translation method has been blamed for the faflure of Japanese-speakers to learn English; however, it is claimed here that the emphasis on grammar, which focuses on the referential meaning of a phrase rather than its social meaning, is instead at fault. An alternative "functional-translation" method is preferred because such an approach places emphasis first on helping the student understand and convey the meaning of ideas that are the most useful to him; only then is the appropriate grammar sought out as the framework in which to express those ideas. Materials and classroom procedures for the grammar-translation and functional
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