A Reflection on the Use of J-Talk for Speaking of Japan B3

Abstract

Choosing a textbook is one of a teacher’s important jobs. For the class Speaking of Japan, level B3 class, I chose the textbook J-Talk: Conversation Across Cultures. This textbook matched all the criteria for the class: the level, the topic of Japan, speaking practice, and the goals of what should be accomplished in the class. I will reflect on the content of J-Talk, how J-Talk presented materials and built on the materials in stages with the goal of having students produce extended segments of speech without over-burdening the students. I will explain some of the hurdles I faced while carrying out the activities presented in the textbook and how I managed them. Finally, I will report what students thought about J-Talk.