Access the research about Ideal Classmates as it pertains to Junior High School EFL can be found in both of these publications. (Chapter 24, Page 84: Stretching Boundaries) and (Page 3: 2018 Tokyo ETJ Expo Special Issue). And recently published by Bloomsbury Academic, Psychology-Based Activities for Supporting Anxious Language Learners: Creating Calm and Confident Foreign Language Speakers (ISBN: 978-1-350-35280-3). My chapter is on how the Ideal Classmates activity helps to mitigate an anxious classroom of language learners.

(Photocopied Handout Procedure) Here is the Ideal Classmates prompt which was used in Junior High School EFL classes. Printed on A4 paper and cut into three strips, each student was given one strip to write their answer. After the strips are collected, three sheets can be copied easily back to A4 size. If you teach in Japan, feel free to use this PDF.

(Digital Format Procedure) If using Google Forms, be sure to add a class code or day/time question so you can easily divide responses among each class respectively.

Vision boards are created after students read, reflect, and discuss the responses from their classmates. Students are put into teams of 4-5 and they create their own team name, rules, and goals. The vision board is displayed on their desk throughout the class as a reminder of how they want to act during class. It is not unusual to see teammates pointing to the vision board when one or more members falls out of step with their shared vision.

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