Meeting-Style Classroom Approach: Enhancing English Learners’ Meeting Competency

Abstract

This study examines the effectiveness of the Meeting-Style Classroom approach in enhancing English communication skills and meeting competency among Japanese university students. Some studies suggest that professionals from various linguistic backgrounds may face challenges with active participation in English meetings, despite potentially high scores on standardized English tests. The Meeting-Style Classroom aims to address this gap by simulating real-world meeting scenarios while allowing for instructor guidance. The study was conducted across three courses at Japanese universities. A post-course survey assessed students’ perceptions of their skill development in areas such as spontaneous speech, opinion expression, and nonverbal communication. Results indicate that while students felt confident in structured speaking scenarios and providing reactions, challenges remained in spontaneous speech and opinion expression. The majority of participants reported improvements in both verbal and nonverbal communication skills. The research highlights the importance of developing “Meeting Competency,” which encompasses Willingness to Communicate, discourse integration, nonverbal communication, and shared leadership. By providing students with practical experience in meeting management and discussion facilitation, the Meeting-Style Classroom approach shows promise in preparing learners for effective communication in professional English-speaking environments. This study contributes to the ongoing dialogue on innovative pedagogical methods for enhancing English communication skills in higher education, particularly in contexts where English is not the primary language of instruction.