Lifelong Learners’ Attitudes to English Varieties

Geoff Sinha

Machida, Tokyo, JAPAN ? email: geoffandkaori_07@yahoo.co.uk

Those who have regular contact with an older English-learner population in Japan acquire skills and knowledge that may be different from those who do not work with this student population. The recognition of these differences may prompt teachers to develop lessons that identify and address the learning needs and wants of these older Japanese learners.

The study that I am undertaking investigates attitudes held by older Japanese learners towards English, in general, and towards three varieties of English, specifically North American English, Indian English, and Japanese English. This study consists of a 10-minute listening survey, followed by an English-Japanese questionnaire that takes 40 minutes.

The focus of the study rests on three key components:

English varieties
Older Japanese learners

This investigation will be of interest to those who are in contact with an older learner population in Japan and to people considering the place of English in Japan.

Request
This study relies on the participation of those who also have an interest in teaching older Japanese learners. I would like to ask for the assistance of teachers of older Japanese learners who would like to contribute to my research by providing time for me to conduct the survey, preferably in person. To minimize the effect of outside variables, I would like to be present for the lesson. This work cannot be done without your help. Thank you.

From the editor:
If you live in the Tokyo area and feel that you could be of assistance to Geoff, please contact him at the email address shown above.