Describes differences between the level of English taught in Japanese high school English textbooks and that of English examinations for entrance into Japanese universities from the viewpoints of the size of the vocabulary and readability scores. (Author/VWL)

After a brief introduction to the development of New Phonics, an innovative course designed for Japanese English-as-a-foreign-language learners, this article describes the contents of the course for beginners, i.e., the techniques, exercises, and teaching materials for grade 7.(Author/VWL)

Calls into question the data of grammaticality judgment tasks on which several GB-based studies on the second-language acquisition of accusative verbs by Japanese learners of English base their arguments and reports the results of a pilot study. (Author/VWL)

Discusses current problems with English-language education in Japan. Highlights the new features that the Japanese Ministry of Education is planning, including the compulsory study hours for all students at all levels. (Author/VWL)

Using cognitive linguistics to study the subjective lexicon of second-language (L2) learners of English, this article examines two questions: whether cognitive processes such as metonymy, metaphor, generalization, and specialization are used for expansion in the L2 lexicon; and what other factors work in understanding prototypical…