Language learning portfolios, purposeful collections of student work that provide opportunity for self-analysis and commentary (Kimball 2003), have been used for years in foreign language programs to assess students and promote reflection on their work. There are several advantages to the creating portfolios using a web-based format, including increased student engagement in the process and product, expanded possibilities for multimedia format, and dissemination to any number of people simultaneously. In addition, web-based portfolios can be used to help meet the Standards for Japanese Language Learning. The five goals of the Standards, communication, cultures, connections, comparisons, and communities, can also be used to organize language portfolios.
This paper will highlight the process, pitfalls, and products of having second-year Japanese language college students create web-based portfolios as part of their class requirements. The students create portfolios with three different sections. The first is communication, second is culture and comparisons, and the third is connections and communities. Within the communication section, there are web pages for the skills areas of reading, writing, listening and speaking. These pages include samples of student work as well as reflective introductions. The web-based format allows students to include recordings of their speaking or videos that they create as a class project that are often awkward in a traditional paper-based portfolio.
Students can show their research and projects on Japanese culture and the relationship between language and culture in the culture and comparisons section. The connections and communications section can include student ideas about the role of Japanese language and culture in their lives, as well as reports and thoughts on service learning projects, such as visits to elementary classes that are studying Japan.
These web-based portfolios are a medium that allows students to demonstrate their progress and skills in the understanding of Japanese language and culture.