Asaoka has ethnographically, psychologically, and socially described the early professional development of preservice EFL teachers in Japan in ways that will help teacher-trainers globally facilitate their own training courses. Readers will especially appreciate Asaokas detailed case studies which show the needs of new teachers and possible interventions at various stages. * Tim Murphey, Kanda University of International Studies, Japan * This book is a valuable and important addition to the EFL initial teacher education literature. Its focus on understanding the challenges of language teacher education in Japan is also of high relevance for other settings providing initial language teacher education programs. Part of its value lies in its recognition that teacher education approaches must be highly context-sensitive, and for this reason the book will make essential reading for teacher educators and researchers worldwide. * Barbara Mehlmauer-Larcher, University of Vienna, Austria * This book makes a thoughtful, important contribution to the initial teacher education of English language teachers in Japan both in theoretical and practical terms. Based on an empirical study, the work provides very interesting insights into the student teacher experience and their implications for both teacher educators and the future of teacher education. * Shirley Lawes, UCL Institute of Education, UK *
