The English Language Program in Osaka’s Public Elementary and Junior High Schools- A study of CNETs/ALTs’ Perspectives

Abstract

This case study wanted to look at how the Assistant Language Teachers (ALTs) in Osaka City called City Native English Teachers (CNETS) perceive the English program that they were hired in, what they think are the difficulties and strengths of the program. The participants of this case study are the CNETs/ALTs working in Osaka, and a survey was done along with interviews for its methodology. Results validated the dilemma of teaching English in Japan such as lack of Communicative Language Teaching activities and more on traditional teacher-centered, grammar-translation method type of teaching. Other aspects such as student personalities, quality of textbooks, kind of teachers (JTE and ALT), access to teaching materials and other issues were tackled as difficulties/weaknesses of the English program in Osaka from the perspectives of the CNETS. Suggestions were also given after the various weaknesses were presented.