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RESEARCH INTERESTS
My main research interests are in the field of testing. In Japan, the major English tests are TOEIC and those set by universities and other institutions. The TOEIC test is extremely popular but has backwash effects that do not bode well for the future of English-speaking ability in Japan. The same can be said of the majority of university entrance examinations. The focus is on reading and writing skills and the backwash effect is that most teaching in Japan is focussed towards passing exams that do not measure communicative ability. I am interested in exploring ways in which the TOEIC test could be adjusted so that students could train towards it with a concurrent positive effect on their communicative abilities. I would also like to develop a series of graded textbooks that aim to develop students’ readiness to take a TOEIC test while developing their abilities to function effectively in a second-language environment.
I am also interested in alternative assessment practices whereby students become involved in designing the assessment tool and are then encouraged to assess themselves.
Inspired by an article by Jason Ward entitled “Blog Assisted Language Learning”* I would like to investigate the use of blogs for assessing students' progress, and for encouraging students to produce original writing on subjects that inspire them.
*Ward, J.M. 2004, Blog Assisted Language Learning (BALL): Push button publishing for the pupils, TEFL Web Journal Vol 3 No 1 2004 1. Available at http://www.teflweb-j.org/v3n1/blog_ward.pdf
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