What is Collaborative Lesson Research (CLR)

This chapter presents a narrative inquiry on Lesson Study (LS), based on the experience of three assistant language teachers (ALTs) in Japan. The author also draws on personal experience with LS, having been an ALT for three years and faculty at universities for over 20. The literature on LS is very positive and persuasive, but the narratives deflate some of the idealism around LS. A conclusion is drawn that LS can be very beneficial, but that in practice, it is not without flaws. Furthermore, as a global phenomenon, it is no longer owned by Japan. Researchers and practitioners around the world have contributed greatly towards the study and advance of LS. Those seeking to implement and conduct research on LS should draw on a broad body of literature rather than just looking towards Japan.