English education in Japan

There are discussions about English education reform in Japan at Japanese Central Education Council. “How do we master English communication with foreigners in the Global Society” One of their solutions is to let English education start from elementary school. I don’t agree with this idea, because we have many things about teachers themselves and curriculums to reform current English education in Junior High school, High school and University. Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) has introduced the Jet program and the ALT program to assist Japanese English teachers. But it seems like still test cases because most classes are taught by Japanese teachers who don’t speak English fluently. I know they are professional for teaching of writing and reading and grammar of English. But why don’t they speak English? Because they didn’t have enough training of listening and speaking. After graduation from University, they are so busy to become teachers to pass the test. Actually, this test of public school teachers is very difficult. Most of the test is focused on reading, writing and grammar, not speaking and listening. I think current teachers should have special trainings for English communication skill and at the same time MEXT should increase native English teachers instead of Japanese English teachers urgently. Before early English study at elementary school, the quality of teachers should be better and change curriculums to focus on English communication. I know many adults in Japan are crazy about English including me, even thought they didn’t like it when they were at school. The reason is simple that we enjoyed conversation with foreigners like different language from mother tongue, not grammar writing and reading. After knowing how English communication is fun, we chose studying other skills of English.

Assignment for the class of Intelligent Speaking at Inter School

Comments

[PeterD]

I think that Japan is very good at teaching its students so that the students can pass the tests to get into high school, college, etc. But the tests for English do not look for ability to communicate. If they changed the tests so that being required to actually communicate was part of it, the teachers would change the curriculum to match, and the students would in he end be better able to communicate.

[Yasuyuki Kanaoka]

I completely agree with you. Purposes of studying English are more expanding in Japan now. Someone need it for Job due to foreign staffs and your boss, for going to colleges in overseas, for volunteer activities in Japan for foreign travelers, and for getting jobs using English, etc. For those people, English communication skill is definitely required. But you can't master it in few days nor few weeks, it takes many years in general. That's why it is very important for students in your school days to get such a communication skill in Japan.

[writing a dissertation]

Blogs are good for every one where we get lots of information for any topics nice job keep it up !!!