English Language Education in Japan

https://www.japantimes.co.jp/opinion/2020/01/21/commentary/japan-commentary/japan-going-wrong-way-english-education-reform/#.XiiLck9Ki70

English language education certainly can be a controversial topic in Japan. There are some who say English education should only be included in university education, and should be an elective only. The author talks about the importance of reading and writing. I see no problem there, but where does listening and speaking fit in? There is no easy answer. Starting English education at in elementary school? I guess can be positives and negatives to that.

I know in Korea, English language education can become an obsession. And worse can be and is used as a gateway for the more rich and influential, as they can afford to send their children to hagwons, academies, up to midnight on even school nights.  Elementary school children in Korea, some, are exposed to this behavior as parents, moms, with do everything they can, to make sure their children can get ahead in an ultra-competitive society.

I hope Japan, if not there already, doesn't turn into another Korea, with its super obsession with getting ahead and sending elementary school children to after school academies just to get ahead in the English obsession race.

If it is done properly, in any level, there should be no need for after school academies. But in Korea, it has become a major industry and there are those who feel they have to attend every academy, every day every night just to get ahead in a too competitive society.

The hagwon or academy industry in Korea is not just English education. There are academies for everything related to education and beyond in Korea. But the focus is education, and even worse or can be worse, is the focus on the one time, once a year test for high school seniors nationwide entrance test to get into a good university.

There are four or five universities that all, or many are trying to get into and they will, many, go to the academy until midnight, every night, for a year to make sure they can get that all important score to get them into on of the four or five top universities.

English education obsession is no different. I hope Japan doesn't fall into, it not already, the English obsession of Korea.

It doesn't have to be that way.

But back to the main article. There is a lot of research that shows, that reading can improve English conversation skills. But at some point speaking should be done. But reading is a very good foundation for improved speaking skills. Research has shown it.


© 2020 Tom Metts,  all rights reserved