Learning Crisis (2): “Seriously Double-Limited” Learning English as a Second Language under COVID-19 in Japan

Learning English as an L2 is facing a crisis in Japan and it gets more serious situation because of COVID-19. The presenters investigated the difficulties in learning English for schools for special education and the students with Language Learning Disabilities (LLD) under the COVID-19 crisis and consider the way to support them.

COVID-19 causes heavy damage to the world. Especially in education, it has the most serious impact on English education and learning for the students with language learning disabilities (LLD) in Japan.

Previously, difficulties and disabilities in learning the mother tongue have been discussed concerning students with Learning Disabilities (LD). However, more students have difficulty in learning languages, such as hard of hearing, language disabilities, visual disabilities (LLD).

From 2020, English became a required course in Japan and students must take exams even in elementary schools even though they have difficulties in learning their native language. The situation of students with LLD may get worse and COVID-19 makes them harder to keep learning English. The presenters call it “Double-Limited.”

The presenters carried out two research to understand the actual situation of special education and the students with LLD during/after the lockdown. The first one is the research on online educational materials that provided students with LLD during the lockdown when schools were closed. The second one is a questionnaire for schools for special education and it asks the circumstance under COVID-19 and difficulties they are facing under the New Normal. More than 100 schools for special education answered it (Learning Crisis Research Community 2020).

As a result, it is found that there are almost no learning materials on the websites for students with LLD from the research on websites. Most of them do not fit students with LLD, although there are more than 100 educational materials on the websites. For example, almost all educational materials on the website are PDF and they do not support narration. Getting online rapidly because of COVID-19 makes students with LLD leave behind.

The second research shows that it becomes difficult to learn English under the “New Normal” and it forces teachers and students to put masks and face shields on their faces. It also shows that special education does not consider the importance that students with disabilities learn English in Japan.

According to the result of two research, students with LLD need supports for learning materials that are easy for them to access and overcome the difficulties caused by New Normal. Considering the circumstance, Manakiki English Salon is held by zoom and supports students with LLD. It is for elementary school students who must study English as a required course. It attempts students with LLD to learn English by movies and cards with QR codes. Online learning can also solve the difficulties in learning such as pronunciation at school for students by watching it anytime and anywhere, while it makes students with LLD leave behind. It is essential to consider how and what to learn English as an L2 online under COVID-19.