Perspectives: Short-Term Overseas Study Programs: A Survey of Private Junior High Schools in Tokyo

Abstract

This survey research is the first large-scale study to provide a description of short-term overseas study programs implemented by private junior high schools in Tokyo. In addition to fundamental quantitative parameters, this comprehensive survey returned descriptive data from 84% of the private junior high schools in the Tokyo region with programs in 2001 and 2002. This descriptive data included types and details of activities undertaken, program and activity objectives, integration between the overseas study programs and school curricula, follow-up activities, and program evaluation. The survey revealed several innovative programs and activities implemented by these schools and identified areas that might benefit from further research. この調査研究は東京の私立中学校が行っている短期海外研修プログラムについて詳しく説明するものである。この広範囲に渡る調査は、２００１年及び２００２年における東京地域にある、プログラムを実施している私立中学校の８４％から得た、基本的な量的パラメーターの他に、実施された活動のタイプや詳細、プログラムや活動の目的、海外研修プログラムと学校のカリキュラムの調整、追跡活動、そしてプログラムの評価に関する質的なデータに依るものである。この調査により、幾つかの革新的なプログラムや活動が明らかとなり、更なる研究価値の在る分野が確認された。

Short courses, impact, and follow up: A case study of a group of Japanese students visiting the UK

“…There has been a steady increase in Japanese students going abroad for such overseas short programmes (OSPs) and various benefits have been reported (Umakoshi, 1997). Past studies have established that these short courses have an overall positive impact on the participants' language proficiency and cultural awareness (Brauer, 2005;Kitao, 1993;Miller, 2001). Findings testify to the benefits of OSP in terms of increased students' motivation for continuing and studying English after the programme, deepened intercultural understanding, and improved communicative competence.…”

“…Those which have attempted to do so have claimed an overall positive impact on the participants' language proficiency and cultural awareness (Allen & Herron, 2003;Brauer, 2005). Worringly however, Brauer's (2005) survey revealed that the majority of Japanese schools (57%) reported no integration at all between the OSPs and EFL programs, testifying to opportunities missed to harness this positive experience to reap greater benefits. This paper argues that most studies on OSP programmes do not report tangible followup beyond limited assessment.…”