VietTESOL International Convention 2026

This research was motivated by the work of Greenberger et. al (2008) on grade entitlement. Japan is a developed country that invests heavily in English education, but still ranked 136th out of 161 nations in TOEFL scores (2008). The focus on participation in language programs over achievement may explain this gap between investment and outcome. For this project, 400 Japanese students were surveyed to research their attitudes toward grades and class effort. Students were given profiles of diverse fictional students and asked what grade each student deserved. The profiles included students who attended classes and completed assignments but failed to achieve sufficient proficiency with the material. Also included were students whose attendance was poor but demonstrated high proficiency with the material. Students consistently rated effort over proficiency in grading. A similar survey of teachers in the program was carried out with similar results. Without objective standards, students will continue to receive high marks for substandard work and proficiency will continue to fail to achieve results commensurate with the investment of resources.

Greenberger, E., Lessard, J., Chen, C and Farrugia, S.P. (2008). Self-entitled college students: contributions of personality, parenting and motivational factors. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 37, 1193-1204.