A survey of Japanese sources on the use of English in Japan

ABSTRACT: English is the foremost foreign language studied and taught in public and private institutions in Japan. Publishing related to the teaching of English is now a major industry here. First we will give an overview of different types of books about the use of English published in Japan. Then we will discuss some of the controversies about teaching English, and finally we will describe new directions in the use of English, particularly how the use of English as a means of communication is reflected in new courses in the school system as well as in publications aimed for the Japanese.