Language Culture and Curriculum
Editor and Book Reviews Editor: Eoghan Mac Aogain (St Patrick's College)
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Volume: 12 Number: 2 Page: 128–142
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Traditional, Natural and TPR Approaches to ESL: A Study of Japanese Students
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Hamako Furuhata
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This is a study of Japanese students' perception of traditional methods vs. the Natural Approach and Total Physical Response (TPR) methods for learning English, and their own preferred styles of learning.
Japanese students generally prefer innovative methods, such as avoidance of grammar instruction, exclusive use of the target language by the teacher, emphasis on listening and speaking, use of games and
role-playing, use of supplementary materials, and command usage in English (TPR). However, they also show some preference for traditional approaches, such as error correction, L2 only response, and rote
memorisation of vocabulary lists for reading. In learning style preferences, Japanese students prefer kinesthetic learning first, and auditory learning second. Further, they prefer group work rather than
individual work, and they prefer groups that include men and women. These findings will be of use not only to Japanese teachers of English but to the many English-speaking assistants who have been brought
into the teaching system specifically to achieve higher levels of communicative language use among the learners.
© Multilingual Matters 1999
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