[EDLING:1391] Teach English at the expense of Japanese?

[Francis M. Hult]

Daily Yomiuri

Teach English at the expense of Japanese?

http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/editorial/20060329TDY04005.htm

The Yomiuri Shimbun

A panel of the Education, Science and Technology Ministry's Central Council 
for Education has proposed making English mandatory for fifth- and sixth-grade 
primary school students. 

In a report released Monday, the council's subcommittee on foreign languages 
recommended that English be taught once a week or so to the students. 

The panel said English should be taught as part of general studies or English 
activities, in the same way as ethics or other special activities, for about 
35 lessons a year. But it made clear English should not be made a regular 
class subject such as Japanese or mathematics. 

Needless to say there are proponents of and opponents to the full introduction 
of English at primary schools. However, this is the first time a basic policy 
on English education at primary schools has been presented. 

If the council issues a formal recommendation based on the subcommittee's 
report, the ministry is expected to revise the current curriculum guidelines 
during fiscal 2006. Thus there is a possibility primary schools will start 
teaching English in four or five years. 

 

Notes on a native tongue 


But why should English education start at the primary-school level? Does the 
subcommittee's report address this question? 

Some members of the subcommittee and other education experts oppose or are 
cautious about introducing compulsory English education at primary schools. 
Many of them argue that primary schools should place priority on helping 
students acquire greater skills in Japanese. 

And given the current reading abilities and debating skills of children, this 
opinion has merit. 

The report also says, "Japanese ability is basic for the Japanese people, and 
it should be emphasized through all educational activities." 

Noting this, the report says teaching Japanese and English at the same time 
would foster communications skills with other peoples and other cultures. The 
report urged that discussions on how to teach English at primary school should 
focus on how to draw on the "synergistic effects" of a connection between 
English and Japanese eduction. 
 

School week already busy 


Details of how to teach English at primary schools will be the subject of 
forthcoming discussions. The ministry should come up with ideas that satisfy 
those who believe Japanese education is more important than English education. 

Some experts argue that other major subjects should be given a higher priority 
than English because the academic skills of children have dropped. The council 
itself in February recommended that more hours should be allotted to the 
teaching of Japanese, mathematics and science. 

One of the reasons the subcommittee proposed making English part of general 
studies or a special subject instead of making it a regular class subject is 
that it is not easy to introduce a new subject into the tight class schedule 
at primary schools. 

Some say that the introduction of compulsory English education at primary 
school would be a great burden for students and schools. In answer to this 
concern, the report cited that more than 90 percent of primary schools have 
already introduced some form of English-language activity. 

However, the reality is that these English-language activities are held once a 
month or so just to provide students with a chance to become familiar with 
English. 

If English is introduced as per the subcommittee's recommendation, more human, 
financial and other resources will be required. 

The education ministry said the report is a starting point for discussions. 
Opinions for the report will be invited from the public. Until the final 
recommendation is completed, discussions should be held at all levels of 
society. 


(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, March 29) 

(Mar. 29, 2006)