Phonology-Based Instruction for Pre-Literacy Japanese Elementary Students

Abstract

This study investigated the following three points regarding the effectiveness of phonology-based instruction on Japanese elementary school students. (1) Does phonology-based instruction have positive effects on improving phonological awareness in Japanese elementary school students?; (2) To what extent does phonology-based instruction enhance letter knowledge in Japanese elementary school students?; and (3) Does phonology-based instruction motivate Japanese elementary school students to learn English? Twenty-nine fourth graders in a public elementary school received phonology-based instruction, such as reciting and singing along with nursery rhymes, detecting rhymes or initial phonemes, and counting syllables. These activities took place during weekly 15-minute modules in English classes. Additionally, letter activities were conducted in English and other subjects to help develop phonological awareness. Study results suggested that phonology-based instruction was effective in improving students’ phonological awareness and attitudes to learn English. 本研究は、日本の小学生に対する音韻指導の有効性について、以下の3点について調べたものである。(1) 日本の小学生の音韻認識の向上にプラスの効果があるか。(2) 日本の小学生の文字知識をどの程度向上させるか。(3) 日本の小学生が英語を学ぶことへの動機付けとなるか。参加者は、公立小学校の4年生29名で、ナーサリーライムの暗唱や歌唱、脚韻や最初の音素の気付き、音節の数などの音韻指導を受けた。これらの活動は、毎週の英語の授業で15分の帯活動で実施され、さらに、音韻認識の発達を促進するために英語および他の教科で文字の活動が行われた。結果として音韻指導が小学生の音韻認識と英語学習に対する態度を向上するのに効果的であることが示唆された。