- 著者
-
陳 淑茹
- 出版者
- 金沢工業大学
- 雑誌
- KIT progress : 工学教育研究 (ISSN:13421662)
- 巻号頁・発行日
- vol.17, pp.63-73, 2010-03-31
"Hi, my dear students, let's speak in English!" Many English teachers in English classes across Japan find it is easy to say but extremely difficult and frustrating to implement it. In this paper, the writer tries to explore what workable and efficient methods are to help our Japanese learners of English build their confidence and thus change their attitudes toward speaking English. The method that the writer used and conducted, prior or after English class, to elicit her Science and Engineering students to speak in English will be discussed in this the paper. In addition, the factors influencing students' attitude toward speaking English out aloud will also be mentioned but will not be mainly discussed in this paper since it is not the main issue of this paper. The student (learner) subjects the writer refers to in this paper are Science and Engineering college freshman students, who have been learning English for at least six years prior to their enrollment in college. This group of students is always thought to be a bit negative toward English-learning than humanities majors, since they are more knowledgeable and perform better in Science or Engineering courses/areas. However it is, perhaps, inevitable that they will have to communicate with foreigners in English some time in workplace in future. Therefore, no matter how superior their knowledge is about their professionals, if they can not express their own ideas/opinions or convey their messages on their own to foreign engineers or scientists, then for sure, it will turn into a burden or harm their career. With this in mind, in this paper, the writer aims at finding ways to reduce students' anxiety, and consequently build their confidence in using and speaking English in their everyday lives.