Problems Redesigning University EFL Curricula: A Case Study

Page No.: 
20
Writer(s): 
Giancarla Unser-Schutz,  Rissho University

As English education programs mature, it is common for them to need to adjust their curricula. Adapting in a timely manner can be an especially acute problem at universities, which are under pressure to respond to changes in education policies while also following regulations to maintain accreditation as degree-granting institutions. To observe how these issues affect redesigning curricula, this article undertakes a case study of one faculty currently in the midst of change. The faculty went through two major periods of changes, but as will be observed, the timing and success of these changes has been swayed by major practical and procedural issues, including restrictions on curriculum changes for accreditation purposes, changes in the labor laws,      budgetary restrictions limiting hiring, and changes in university admissions examinations. The discussion considers how these issues were approached while offering observations about how best practices in curriculum design can be implemented effectively given institutional restrictions.

英語教育プログラムの成長に伴い、カリキュラム改正が必要になることが多い。日々変わる教育政策に対応しながら認可にかかわる規則を厳守することが求められる大学にはカリキュラム改正がことに困難である。いかなる問題が発生するのかを究明するため、本稿では英語教育のカリキュラム改正に取り組んでいる学部の事例研究を試みる。当該学部が2期に渡ってカリキュラム改正に取り組んできたが、改正の時期と効果が大学認可に関するカリキュラム改正の規制・雇用法律の変化・人事上の予算的制限・大学入試の変化を含む内的・外的な要因に左右された。最終的にどのように対処したのかを考察しつつ、カリキュラム改正の計画と実施をするための工夫法も提示する。

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