Japanese 302, What To Do? : An Evaluation of Curriculum Changes in Japanese 302 at UWEC

Abstract

This student-faculty collaborative research project involves the examination of existing literature about various topics in foreign language acquisition including extensive and intensive reading, goal-setting, student performances and presentations, teaching methods, assessments, and effective strategies for creating an inclusive classroom. The literature was used to evaluate the curriculum of Japanese 302 at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. Results of the evaluation show that many aspects of the curriculum are already effective at accommodating various needs, but other aspects need to change or be replaced. To accommodate for future students’ diversity in their needs, interests, learning styles, and proficiency levels, potential changes to the curriculum were proposed based upon the literature, evaluation results, and previous student surveys. Research was also done regarding effective Japanese language books for the class, in terms of learning, acquisition, and assessment. These books and the changes in the curriculum will be implemented for Japanese 302 when it is next offered in the Spring 2022 semester.