Project Based Learning for Globalisation during the Pandemic in One Junior High School: A Case Study

Abstract

In 2002, MEXT (the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology in Japan) announced an action plan for the improvement of English language education with the aim of developing “Japanese who can use English” (Hashimoto, 2009). Furthermore, with globalisation impacting our classrooms “young people need to have the ability to communicate exchange, criticise, and present information and ideas” (Ananiadou & Claro, 2009). However, teachers need to follow prescribed curricular. Therefore, teachers in Japan need to take action to offer opportunities for their students to use English as a tool for communication. This paper details a case study of a project-based communication task for 8 junior high school students ranging from 1st to 3rd grades, in one school. The project was adapted from an out-of-class oral research project to an in-class collaborative written communication project in response to the limitations imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic. While goals of the project were achieved, results indicate that students were not aware of what they were learning and additionally their motivation declined. This paper will be of interest to teachers who desire to equip students with global skills through project-based learning in junior high schools.