A Comparative Study of Co-teaching Practices in Korea and Japan

This study compares Korean and Japanese primary school teachers' perceptions of co-teaching practices. A total of 182 primary school teachers (67 Koreans and 115 Japanese) participated in the survey, which consists of open-and closed-ended questions on background information, difficulties in conducting co-teaching, and suggestions for effective co-teaching. Data analysis shows that co-teaching has been implemented in different teaching formats in these two countries: an ST (Subject Teacher)-NEST (Native English-Speaking Teacher) format is the prevailing teaching practice in Korea whereas an HRT (Homeroom teacher)-NEST format is more common in Japan. Local English Teachers in these two countries have different views of role-sharing between NNESTs and NESTs in co-teaching. Korean NNESTs considered equal sharing of roles between the ST and the NEST as ideal whereas Japanese NNESTs expected the HRT to take the main role in co-teaching in an ideal co-teaching situation. Japanese NNESTs showed higher satisfaction with their co-teaching practices compared to Korean NNESTs. The main cause of Korean NNESTs' dissatisfaction concerned the lack of professionalism among NESTs. NNESTs in both countries point out the need for systematic support for effective co-teaching.