Teaching Physics in English

“Teaching Physics in English”

 

  1. Introduction
  • In our school, important technical terms and phrases had been taught both in Japanese and English during regular Physics classes. Our school was designated as SSH (Super Science High School) in 2012. Since then, one fourth of “SS Physics 1” has been taught in the English language, even though in most schools in Japan, it is taught only in Japanese. The class “Physics in English” has been conducted with an ALT (Assistant Language Teacher) (SS Physics 1 (with Wilson) (2020).mp4) ever since.
  • Online classes (zoom_20200421(SS Physics 1) 1st class.mp4) were conducted using Zoom while schools were closed in April and May 2020.
  • Teaching Physics in English(2014資料配付用).pdf
  1. Objective 　
  • By providing English Physics instruction, this class aims to give the students an incentive and basic knowledge to work in the science field all over the world in the future.
  1. Students 　
  • The target students are in the second year of senior high school.
  1. Teaching Materials
  1. Outline
  • Firstly, basic expressions in Physics and Mathematics are introduced by teaching basic mechanics.
  • Next, the students study the most advanced physics topics and technological innovations as well as review what they learned through English discussions on the experiments (as part of input exercises).
  • The students give presentations about electricity and magnetism in English in order to experience how to present scientific topics in English (as part of output exercises).
  • In the latter half of the year, Physics classes conducted only in English are given several times.
  • The students should submit assignments or worksheets like “Vocabulary to Know” (Ex(1) worksheet.pdf) for every class to check their level of focus and understanding.
  1. Contents

 

  • Most Advanced Physics and Technologies （Learning Physics in English）
  • The videos on the following topics are shown and explained to them using PowerPoint slides.
    • ILC （International Linear Collider）（Worksheet）
    • The Apollo 15 Hammer and Feather Drop on the moon  (Worksheet)
    • Redefinition of SI Units  (Worksheet)
    • First Image of a Black Hole　(Worksheet)
    • Space Elevator　(Worksheet)
    • Life and work of Stephen Hawking　(Worksheet)
    • Nobel Prize in Physics 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020
    • Standard Model of Elementary Particles　(Worksheet)
    • Hayabusa-2 capsule returns to Earth
    • ITER （World's Largest Fusion Reactor Experiment）　(Worksheet(1))　(Worksheet(2))
    • Gravitational Waves　(Worksheet)
    • Radio Astronomy　(Worksheet)
    • Cavendish Laboratory (Worksheet)

 

 

  1. References：