Cited by 108EFL/ESL Teaching and LearningSecond Language Learning and TeachingEnglish Language Learning and Teaching

'In reality its almost impossible': CLT-oriented curriculum change

Humphries, S., Burns, A.·2015·ELT Journal

Abstract

Curriculum innovation is challenging and, as several commentators have reported, moves to introduce communicative language teaching in many contexts internationally have resulted in mixed outcomes, or even failure. In an effort to shed some light on this complex problem, this article focuses on curriculum change through the introduction of new communicative textbooks in an engineering college (kosen) in Japan. First, three key factors that inhibit change are considered and then other factors that specifically hindered change in the kosen environment are identified. A study investigating the attitudes and classroom practices of four Japanese teachers of English highlighted a culture of pedagogical uncertainty and lack of professional support. Suggestions for supporting teachers to implement curriculum change more effectively, both in Japan and elsewhere, are drawn out.

Integrity signals

Registry

Crossref · 10.1093/elt/ccu081

Cites

13 of 13 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

Statistics

Nothing to recompute.

Claims the paper makes

0 of 16 cited sources checked · 0 supported · 0 flagged

  • Findingown data
    § Context for the innovation

    Unlike the yakudoku used for university entrance examination preparation in regular Japanese high schools, the kosen teachers made considerable efforts to minimize the complexity of instruction.

    “However, unlike the yakudoku used for university entrance examination preparation in regular Japanese high schools, where teachers may devote time to complex grammatical explanations, the kosen teachers made considerable efforts to minimize the complexity of the instruction.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • Findingown data
    § Context for the innovation

    At the kosen, no internal training took place to support the change in textbooks and in the teaching practices required.

    “At the kosen, no internal training took place to support the change in textbooks and in the teaching practices required.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • Findingown data
    § Context for the innovation

    Given the lack of pressure for university entrance examination preparation, none of the kosen teachers could identify external factors impacting on their teaching practices.

    “Given the lack of pressure for university entrance examination preparation, none of the kosen teachers could identify external factors impacting on their teaching practices.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • Findingcitation
    § Context for the innovation

    Classroom observations showed that participants continued to follow the yakudoku tradition.

    “The classroom observations showed that participants continued to follow the yakudoku tradition (Humphries 2012).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Humphries 2012

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

  • Findingown data
    § Context for the innovation

    Rather than asking students to listen for comprehension, the teachers used transcripts and translated the content for them.

    “In addition, rather than asking students to listen for comprehension, they used the transcripts and translated the content for them.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • May combine two claims. 22
  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim. 12
  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data
    § Internal factors

    The teachers circumvented the CLT-oriented approaches of the new textbooks and expressed considerable uncertainty about how to implement them.

    “Nevertheless, they circumvented the CLT-oriented approaches of the new textbooks and expressed considerable uncertainty about how to implement them.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • May combine two claims.

    Findingreasoning
    § External factors

    The kosen teachers were able to design 70 per cent of their own assessments, as the TOEIC Bridge only accounted for 30 per cent of overall grades.

    “Moreover, they were able to design 70 per cent of their own assessments as the TOEIC Bridge only accounted for 30 per cent of overall grades.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Findingown data
    § Internal factors

    The kosen contained students on sports scholarships, and extensive hours dedicated to sports club training had a detrimental effect on students' energy levels and time devoted to learning.

    “In addition, the kosen contained students on sports scholarships, and Akira and Daiki asserted that extensive hours dedicated to sports club training had a detrimental effect on students' energy levels and time devoted to learning: 'school is their sleeping place' (Daiki).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data
    § Context for the innovation

    Classes were primarily teacher led, highly structured, conducted in Japanese, and focused on recurring language structures.

    “Classes were primarily teacher led, highly structured, conducted in Japanese, and focused on recurring language structures.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.

    Findingown data
    § External factors

    The teachers claimed that students lacked confidence in their English proficiency; this, combined with the lack of assessment standards, led to low motivation.

    “The teachers claimed that students lacked confidence in their English proficiency; this, combined with the lack of assessment standards, led to low motivation.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data
    § Context for the innovation

    Akira, Bonda, and Daiki avoided communicative activities, especially those challenging students to use problem-solving skills, and fed answers orally to students who had not completed exercises.

    “Akira, Bonda, and Daiki avoided communicative activities, especially those challenging students to use problem-solving skills, and they fed answers orally to students who had not completed exercises.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Findingnone given
    § External factors

    In comparison to regular high schools, the kosen had smaller classes of less than 30 students.

    “Moreover, in comparison to regular high schools, the kosen had smaller classes of less than 30 students.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • May combine two claims.

    Findingnone given
    § Context for the innovation

    Departmental meetings were administrative and did not include discussion of teaching methodology or classroom issues related to the change.

    “Departmental meetings were administrative and did not include discussion of teaching methodology or classroom issues related to the change.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • May combine two claims.

    Findingnone given
    § Internal factors

    The teachers at the kosen believed that they did not have enough time to guide the students through the communicative activities or explain unfamiliar cultural issues.

    “The teachers at the kosen believed that they did not have enough time to guide the students through the communicative activities or explain unfamiliar cultural issues.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data
    § Context for the innovation

    Chikara was the only teacher who attempted listening and pair work, but he also avoided less structured, more creative activities.

    “Chikara was the only teacher who attempted listening and pair work, but he also avoided embarking on less structured, more creative activities.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation
    § Introduction

    The long-standing traditional approach in many classrooms worldwide has been teacher-centred and transmission-oriented, assuming that students receive knowledge from the teacher.

    “In contrast, argues Littlewood (ibid.), the long-standing traditional approach in many classrooms worldwide has been teacher-centred and transmissionoriented, with the assumption that students receive knowledge from the teacher.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Littlewood ibid.

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation
    § External constraints Internal constraints

    A study by Nishino (2008) indicated that although Japanese teachers of English expressed a desire to teach communicatively, they felt class sizes were too large (30-40 students) and lacked contact hours to teach beyond test preparation.

    “in Japan, a study by Nishino (2008) indicated that, although JTEs expressed a desire to teach communicatively, they felt class sizes were too large (30-40 students), and they lacked contact hours to teach beyond test preparation.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Nishino 2008

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationreasoning
    § Internal factors

    The main barriers to change related to teachers' beliefs, understanding the new approach, and lack of ongoing support.

    “It appears that the main barriers to change related to: 1 teachers' beliefs 2 understanding the new approach 3 lack of ongoing support.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation
    § External constraints Internal constraints

    Japanese students may be discomforted by demands for class interaction and will resist attempts to speak.

    “Such norms also extend to Japanese students who may be discomforted by demands for class interaction, and will, therefore, as King (2013) suggests, resist attempts to speak.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites King 2013 source
  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Premisecitation
    § Discussion

    Fullan argues that research over 30 years consistently shows that collaborative work within schools is the key to effective change.

    “Fullan (ibid.)argues that research over 30 years consistently shows that collaborative work within schools is the key to effective change.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Fullan 2011: 52

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationreasoning
    § Internal factors

    The kosen teachers had no opportunity to examine and discuss the CLT principles underlying the textbooks, which combined with their experiences of student discipline problems fed into their uncertainty.

    “The kosen teachers had no opportunity to examine and discuss the CLT principles underlying the textbooks which, combined with their experiences of student discipline problems, fed into their uncertainty.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Premisecitation
    § Introduction

    Many teachers and students believe that CLT is an ineffective way to prepare for traditional assessments.

    “Moreover, in relation to external constraints, discussed below, many teachers and students believe that CLT is an ineffective way to prepare for traditional assessments (Butler 2011).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Butler 2011 source
  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.

    Interpretationreasoning
    § Discussion

    While the findings are not generalizable, they provide insights into some perennial barriers to curriculum reform that may equally apply in other situations.

    “While the findings are not generalizable, they provide insights into some of the perennial barriers to curriculum reform that may equally apply in other situations.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Study design and conductcitation
    § Context for the innovation

    Constant comparison guided the collection and analysis of data.

    “Constant comparison guided the collection and analysis of data (Corbin and Strauss 2008).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Corbin and Strauss 2008

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Interpretationown data
    § External factors

    Although the lack of need to prepare for entrance examinations offered a fruitful context for introducing teaching innovation, the teachers felt that they had lost a means to increase students' extrinsic motivation.

    “Although the lack of need to prepare for entrance examinations offered a fruitful context for introducing teaching innovation, the teachers felt that they had lost a means to increase students' extrinsic motivation.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationreasoning
    § Context for the innovation

    Lack of training for teaching, combined with lack of departmental support, seemed to cause the teachers continual pedagogical uncertainty about implementing change.

    “Lack of training for teaching, combined with lack of support departmentally seemed to cause the teachers continual pedagogical uncertainty about implementing change.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationreasoning
    § External factors

    The teachers' freedom caused a lack of common direction and a cyclical fall in standards.

    “However, this freedom caused a lack of common direction and a cyclical fall in standards.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationreasoning
    § Introduction

    Teachers lack the time to supplement government-mandated textbooks, so they commonly fall back on using yakudoku.

    “Teachers lack the time to supplement these textbooks; therefore, they commonly fall back on using yakudoku.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation
    § Introduction

    Teachers may believe that CLT requires focusing entirely on speaking rather than other skills and never focusing on language forms, which is unsettling for many teachers.

    “In the case of CLT, teachers may believe that they must focus entirely on speaking rather than other skills, and never focus on language forms, which is unsettling for many teachers (Littlewood ibid.).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Littlewood ibid.

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation
    § Introduction

    Communicative language teaching (CLT) is learner-centred and meaning-oriented rather than form-focused, and learners are expected to negotiate meaning without direct control or intervention of the teacher.

    “In contrast to yakudoku, communicative language teaching (CLT) is learner-centred and meaning-oriented rather than form-focused, where 'learners are expected to negotiate meaning without the direct control or intervention of the teacher' (Littlewood 2007: 244).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Littlewood 2007: 244 source
  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation
    § External constraints Internal constraints

    Japanese junior teachers follow norms set by older colleagues, leading to the perpetuation and consolidation of an existing school culture.

    “Japanese junior teachers follow norms set by older colleagues, leading to the perpetuation and consolidation of an existing school culture (Sato and Kleinsasser 2004).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Sato and Kleinsasser 2004 source
  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Study design and conductnone given
    § Discussion

    This research focused on just one case study of an unsuccessful attempt to introduce curriculum innovation into a school context.

    “This research focused on just one case study of an unsuccessful attempt to introduce curriculum innovation into a school context.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationreasoning
    § Internal factors

    Within the context of the kosen, there existed weak internal and external constraints to change.

    “Within the context of the kosen, there existed weak internal and external constraints to change.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
28 of 28
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    When there is a strong clash between teachers' own beliefs and those underlying a curriculum innovation, teachers are likely to reject change.

    “When there is a strong clash between teachers' own beliefs and those underlying a curriculum innovation, teachers are likely to reject change.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Misconceptions about the principles underlying educational innovation hinder its implementation.

    “Misconceptions about the principles underlying educational innovation also hinder its implementation.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Teachers' beliefs are one source for evaluating new approaches and determining to what extent innovation is adopted.

    “Teachers' beliefs are one source for evaluating new approaches and determining to what extent innovation is adopted.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Non-native speaker teachers might assume they must transmit oral information to their students only in English and may fear making linguistic and sociocultural errors.

    “Non-native speaker teachers might assume they must transmit oral information to their students only in English and may well fear making linguistic and sociocultural errors.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Teachers have many additional duties, which reduce time for lesson preparation and professional development.

    “Moreover, teachers have many additional duties, which reduce time for lesson preparation and professional development.”
5 of 5

Cites

Flagged first, then by citations

Research works printed but not linked: 1

  1. 2013, DOSHISHA STUDIES IN ENGLISH, 90, 217

Cited by

Sorted by citations

Authors
Humphries, S., & Burns, A.
Venue
ELT Journal
Published
2015-02-02
Volume
69
Issue
3
Pages
239-248
ISSN
  • 0951-0893 (ISSN-L)
  • 1477-4526
OpenAlex
W1965017487
Cited by
108
References
10
Citations by year
2026: 3 · 2025: 5 · 2024: 14 · 2023: 10 · 2022: 9 · 2021: 8 · 2020: 8 · 2019: 27 · 2018: 6 · 2017: 10 · 2016: 6 · 2015: 2
FWCI
53.44
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
ELT Journal (publishedVersion)
Funders
Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (26770204)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Arts and Humanities › Language and Linguistics › EFL/ESL Teaching and Learning
  • Social Sciences › Arts and Humanities › Literature and Literary Theory › Second Language Learning and Teaching
  • Physical Sciences › Computer Science › Information Systems › English Language Learning and Teaching
Keywords
communicative language teaching, curriculum change, curriculum innovation, English language teaching, teacher attitudes, professional support, textbook adoption, engineering schools, Kosen, barriers to change

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