The current situation and issues with English language activities in primary schools  in Japan after six years of implementation

Takiguchi Masaru; Machida Junko

doi:10.52296/vje.2020.3

Authors

Takiguchi Masaru Shiraume Gakuen Junior College
Machida Junko Shiraume Gakuen University

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.52296/vje.2020.3

Downloads
PDF

How to Cite

Masaru, T., & Junko, M. (2020). The current situation and issues with English language activities in primary schools in Japan after six years of implementation. Vietnam Journal of Education, 4(1), 14–24. https://doi.org/10.52296/vje.2020.3

Download Citation

Abstract

English education in public primary schools in Japan started in 2011 not as a subject but as an area of foreign language activities in Japan. However, the preparation was poor and homeroom teachers without proper training were required to teach English. Since then, the issue has become highly controversial in Japan. To clarify the actual situation, we conducted surveys three times between 2012 and 2017 and found many problems. Nevertheless, English will become a compulsory subject from April, 2020, but before we see any major improvements by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT), more careful study on the problems is an urgent need and therefore, we would like to utilize the results of our research. This paper attempts to study the changing situation and to point out the necessary conditions for possible reforms by comparing and analyzing the results of the latter two surveys.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Benesse Education General Institute (2015). The Research on English Study in Primary Schools in Japan.

Eiken Foundation of Japan (2015). The Research of Present Situation on English Activities in Elementary School in Japan. Retrieved from the website of Eiken Foundation of Japan: https://www.eiken.or.jp/center_for_research/pdf/market/elementary_press_2712.pdf

Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (2012). Hi, friends! 1 and 2.

Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (2016a). We Can! 1 and 2, Let’s Try! 1 and 2.

Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (2016b). Inspection of English Education Situation in Japan.

Kano, A., & Ozeki, H. (2018). Insights from Elementary School ALTs in Japan. JES Journal, 18, 116-131. The Japan Association of English Teaching in Primary Schools.

Machida, T., & Uchida, H. (2015). Developing of an In-Service Training Course Focusing on Alleviating Teachers’ Foreign Language Anxiety. JES Journal, 15, 34-49. The Japan Association of English Teaching in Primary Schools.

New English Teachers’ Association (2019) Serial Articles: The Reality of English Classrooms in Japan. The New English Classroom, No.596-607, Kobunken.

New English Teachers’ Association. (2017). Featured Articles: Hope for English Education in Japanese Primary Schools. The New English Classroom, No.579, Honnoizumisha.

New English Teachers’ Association. (2019). Featured Articles: How to Start Teaching English Alphabet. The New English Classroom, No.595, Kobunken.

Takiguchi, M., & Machida, J. (2018) Present Situation and Issues of English Language Activities in Primary Schools After 6 Years of Implementation - Through the Research on English Language Activities in Primary Schools - Annual Report of the The Shiraume Gakuen University and College, Center for Education and Welfare Studies, 23, 3-16. The Shiraume Gakuen University and College, Center for Education and Welfare Studies.

Takiguchi, M., Machida, J., & Takiguchi, Ma. (2014). Present Situation and Issues of English Language Activities after 3 Years of Implementation - Through the Research on English Language Activities in Primary Schools. Annual Report of the The Shiraume Gakuen University and College, Center for Education and Welfare Studies, 19, 16-29. The Shiraume Gakuen University and College, Center for Education and Welfare Studies.

Yonezaki, M., Tara, S., & Tsukuda, Y. (2016). Primary School Teachers’ Anxiety about Teaching English as a Compulsory Subject and Teaching English to Middle-Grade Students: Structuring and Transition. JES Journal, 16, 132-146. The Japan Association of English Teaching in Primary Schools.

Yoshida, K., Kano, A., Izumi, S., Shimizu, T., et al. (2015, 2017). The Report of Study Research on the Situation of ALTs in Primary, Secondary and High schools in Japan. Sophia University. Retrieved from the website of Bun-eido: https://www.bun-eido.co.jp/aste/alt_final_report.pdf