On July 19, 2015, I gave a short talk about that upcoming implementation of Saitama City’s Global Studies program. 

Nakasendo English Conference

The Nakasendo English Conference is a grassroots English Conference. The conference provides opportunities for new and inexperienced scholars to make presentations of their research and work. Of course seasoned presenters also make up a large part of the roster during this annual event, given them a somewhat casual conference (which may seem like an oxymoron) environment in which to grow professionally.

Saitama City’s Global Studies Program

In response to the national calls for another major overhaul to English education proposed by MEXT, Saitama City has determined to remain a national leader. The city’s response is to completely remove English lessons from its schools and replace them with a 9-year, independently developed subject called Global Studies. In this presentation the basic features of the ambitious curriculum development process were shared.

The main aim was not to give a comprehensive presentation, but rather a preview of the topic for those professional development organizations that may be interested having me give the full workshop.  The main features of the full workshop are:

• An all access view of how national policy is implemented at every level of education.
• Study of  one of the most challenging topics in education, school change.

The screen cast of the presentation can be viewed below.