IIBC NEWSLETTER Vol.133 Nov.2017 Accurate, Understandable English, Rather Than Fluency
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Nov. 2017 Vol1. 33 To Perform Globally Feature Changing English education in university- To English education that would develop the foundation for cultivating global human resources 2 Feature Global Human Resource Development Forum- IIBC’s efforts to cultivate global leaders 5 New serial article My turning point triggered by English Ms. Youki Kudo, Actress Case of TOEIC ® Program Utilization Interview with Professor Kosaku Dairokuno of Meiji University ・・・ 8 My turning point triggered by English Interview with Ms. Yuki Kudo ・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・ 10 TOEIC ® ENGLISH CAFÉ ・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・ 12 IIBC TOPICS ・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・ 14 The Institute for International Business Communication Feature Changing English education in university— To English education that would develop the foundation for cultivating global human resources Developing language education as the foundation for cultivating global human resources with an awareness of purposeful communication The Japan Association of College English Teachers (JACET) aims to improve the teaching of English at Japanese universities by presenting the results of practical research and surveys related to language education. We interviewed JACET President Hajime Terauchi to learn more about the organization’s views on global human resources based on its familiarity with the history and current tasks of Professor, Faculty of Commerce, Takachiho University university English education. Mr. Hajime Terauchi Diversifying English education— “Learn English” and “Learn with English” JACET was established in 1962 with 120 members, and currently in a Japanese university is increasing year by year, and university has about 2,700 members. English teachers organized JACET classes are being globalized. English education now requires the for the purpose of developing university English education on viewpoint of seeking how to use a foreign language in each their own. Since its establishment, the organization has been specialty, not merely learning English in a language class. In short, consistently pursuing both research and education. the significance of English education has changed considerably. Let me enumerate some differences between the past and Every 10 years, starting in 1983, JACET has been conducting the present. Firstly, university education has become more a survey on the actual situation of university English education. diversified after the requirements for establishing a university When I was a student, the text used for practicing English were eased in 1991, leading to a rise in the number of students reading centered on the poems and literature of the 19th attending university. The level and purpose of education also century, but now the focus is on current-affairs articles and the diversified, which led to changes in teaching staff. The range of skills of writing and listening have been added. people teaching English extended beyond university language As I mentioned already, today’s students need to present teachers that JACET had initially envisaged to also include their studies in English and undergo active learning with regard globally active businesspersons and lecturers who excel at to various communication activities. Apart from specialized using IT in their English-education classes. Previously, English subjects, some universities offer classes in which English education in university was taught mainly in liberal arts courses teachers explain how to write academic papers, as part of for first- and second-year students, but now more and more the effort to improve graduate students’ writing ability. Some universities are offering specialized classes in English at the universities have also initiated various projects in collaboration undergraduate and graduate level, where students have to with companies so that students can acquire necessary business write and present essays and reports in English. At present, skills. English teachers at some universities not only give English teaching staff are not limited to language educators, lectures on their own to students but also provide students with who are the main members of JACET, but also include experts learning opportunities in cooperation with various people in in various fields who carry out a broad range of activities by the industrial and academic sectors. This trend is expected to utilizing English. The number of international students enrolled expand further. 2 IIBC NEWSLETTER Vol.133 Nov.2017 Accurate, understandable English, rather than fluency As Yukichi Fukuzawa said similarly 150 years ago, global human rich vocabulary, but the communicative ability to understand resources are people like anyone else but with the ability to the opinions of others and convey what you want to say. express their intentions on their own, regardless of language, There is a demand for such personnel among companies. and listen to and care for others. This does not mean you only have to make the other party In considering that view together with the collaborative understand your words, but that the level of tolerance varies research of IIBC and JACET regarding business meetings, we among communication methods. For example, if we compare can notice that the purpose in learning English has been shifting SNS communication or an email with an academic thesis, more away from trying to reach precise language is required for the latter. It is necessary to a “native-like” speaker of educate students, so that they will be aware of the context and English. Actually, data show be able to adjust their level accordingly. that in over 60% of business Parts 3, 4, 6, and 7 of TOEIC® L&R are totally different from situations in Asia, English is each other in line with different communication types. Similarly, used even when there are for TOEIC® S&W as well the fundamental purpose is clear. no native speakers. What is For personnel development, I believe that it is essential to required in such situations understand the communication situation evaluated by each is not English fluency or a part, rather than just looking at the overall TOEIC score. Language teachers should educate students about communication as linguistic professionals As JACET stands for “the Japan Association of College English expressions. This will be covered by language teachers. It is Teachers,” its original goal was to be a group of researchers essential to teach with pride the necessity and importance who contribute to society with a sense of mission. As an of appropriate communication, including communication academic society, we are developing systems for visualizing the methods, and how to put in place the foundation for realizing research results accumulated at JACET to provide them to the it. This is important not only to university lecturers, but also to next generation and publishing the research outcomes of the elementary, junior-high, and high-school teachers. roughly 2,700 JACET researchers. For academic conference, What is required for university education is to nurture we have allowed non-members to present their research a fundamental perspective that can be applied to various results if the first presenter belongs to JACET, matters. In our globalized age, it is necessary and this has led to a significant increase in to develop personnel who can think and presentations by native English speakers. take action in society by themselves. I think Many possibilities arise through such that English education at the university level collaboration with other communities would must enable students to apply English as a induce some changes, and I expect that there communication tool for such purposes. will be more cross-disciplinary joint projects launched in the future. University language teachers need to supervise and educate students with Mr. Hajime Terauchi confidence as linguistic professionals. Those Professor and Dean of the Faculty of Commerce who use English for their business are familiar at Takachiho University. Specializes in research with English expressions used for those on the theory of English education and its application in such fields as law, economics, and situations, but they would face difficulty in business. explaining the reason for the use of those IIBC NEWSLETTER Vol.133 Nov.2017 3 Changing English education at universities— Toward English education as the foundation for cultivating global human resources Report on the Presentation of IIBC at the 56th International Conference of JACET At the 56th international conference of JACET held from August 29 to 31, 2017, IIBC presented its research in a report titled, “Tasks and Outlook for Cultivating Global Human Resources.” “Strong sense of individuality” necessary for global leaders Presented by Nobuko Yamasaki of GHRD Office As the business environment is becoming more and more complex and are thoughtful. When facing Western people who have been and changes are being accelerated, we need leaders who can keep brought up with the motto “Be yourself,” Japanese people tend to growing an organization composed of a broad range of individuals be bewildered. But by having a strong sense of individuality, they will from a global perspective. IIBC suggests the following six elements as become able to clearly express their values saying “I won’t give in necessary skills and literacy as leaders (global human resources) through for this.” However, I heard that in order to have the strong sense of the Global Human Resource Development Forum. individuality,