Speaking Up: How English Teachers in Japan Are Shaping the Future of Oral Communication

In Japanese EFL classrooms, students often spend years learning English grammar and vocabulary. Yet when it comes to speaking, many still hesitate. Why does this gap exist? Teachers across Japan are in a unique position to answer that question—and a new master’s dissertation study is asking them to do exactly that.

The research focuses on a simple but important question: How do English language teachers perceive and approach the teaching of English-speaking skills in Japanese EFL classrooms? It’s a topic that matters not just for teachers in Japan, but for anyone interested in how English is taught around the world.

Why Speaking Is the Toughest Skill

Ask any English teacher in Japan about the most challenging skill to teach, and you’ll likely hear one word: speaking. Unlike reading or writing, speaking happens in real time. It requires confidence, quick thinking, and a willingness to make mistakes.

For students, the fear of sounding wrong can be overwhelming. For teachers, motivating learners to speak when they feel shy or underprepared is a constant balancing act. This study aims to explore those experiences in depth—not from a textbook perspective, but from the people who face these challenges every day in the classroom.

What the Study Wants to Know

The researcher is interested in how English teachers perceive the teaching of speaking skills and what approaches they actually use in their classrooms. That means looking at real teaching practices, not just theories.

The main research method is a questionnaire that takes about 15 minutes to complete. After the questionnaire, there is an optional follow-up interview for those who want to share more. Crucially, the only requirement to participate is being an English teacher in Japan. You don’t have to be Japanese, and you don’t need to teach at a specific type of school. Whether you work at a junior high school, a high school, a university, or a private conversation school, your perspective matters.

Challenges Teachers Know Too Well

The broader conversation around teaching English in Japan often highlights similar themes. Teachers talk about large class sizes, limited lesson time, and the pressure to prepare students for entrance exams that focus heavily on reading and grammar. These factors can push speaking practice to the margins, even when teachers know how important it is.

Another common challenge is student confidence. Many learners are reluctant to speak because they’re afraid of making errors in front of their peers. Teachers often spend as much time building emotional safety as they do teaching pronunciation or conversation strategies.

There’s no one-size-fits-all solution. What works in one classroom may not work in another. That’s why research like this is so valuable—it captures the diversity of teaching contexts and the creative ways teachers adapt.

Why Your Voice Matters

If you teach English in Japan, your experience is more than anecdotal. It’s data that can help shape teacher training, curriculum design, and classroom support. By sharing your insights, you can contribute to a clearer picture of what’s really happening in Japanese EFL classrooms.

The study doesn’t assume there’s a single “right” way to teach speaking. Instead, it asks teachers to share what they do, what they struggle with, and what they believe works. That kind of honest reflection can help bridge the gap between research and classroom reality.

A Call to Teachers in Japan

If you’re an English teacher in Japan, consider taking part in the survey. It only takes about 15 minutes, and the interview is completely optional. Your participation—whether you’re a veteran educator or a first-year teacher—can help build a deeper understanding of how speaking skills are taught in one of the world’s most fascinating EFL environments.

More Than a Research Project

For TEFL enthusiasts and travelers, this study is also a reminder of how much we can learn from teachers in the field. Teaching speaking isn’t just about drills and pronunciation. It’s about creating spaces where learners feel safe enough to try, make mistakes, and grow.

The voices of teachers in Japan can inspire better practice far beyond the classroom. And the conversation is just beginning.