English in English in Elementary Elementary Schools Schools Niigata Prefecture ALT Mid-Year Niigata Prefecture ALT Mid-Year Seminar Seminar January 24 January 24 th th ~ 25 ~ 25 th th , 2011 , 2011 Colleen McIntosh & Martin Sedaghat Colleen McIntosh & Martin Sedaghat
English in Elementary Schools. Niigata Prefecture ALT Mid-Year Seminar January 24 th ~ 25 th , 2011 Colleen McIntosh & Martin Sedaghat. History of English in Japanese ES. - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
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English in English in Elementary SchoolsElementary Schools
English in English in Elementary SchoolsElementary Schools
Niigata Prefecture ALT Mid-Year SeminarNiigata Prefecture ALT Mid-Year SeminarJanuary 24January 24thth ~ 25 ~ 25thth, 2011, 2011
Colleen McIntosh & Martin SedaghatColleen McIntosh & Martin Sedaghat
History of English in Japanese ES
• TOEFL score data for 2004-2005 put Japan next to last in Asia, just one point above North Korea. Is English being introduced too late?
• Since 2002, about 97% of Japanese ES have introduced some form of English lessons, but with widely varying frequencies.
• Compulsory English classes will officially begin in April 2011, with all 5th and 6th graders having one lesson per week (35 periods in one year).
History of English in Japanese ES
• The Japan Business Federation (Nippon Keidanren) strongly backs ES English education, citing a lack of employees who can use English.
• 70% of parents and guardians support compulsory English education.
• Some academics oppose English in ES, saying that many teachers are untrained in planning and executing lessons, and that Japanese children should spend more time studying their mother tongue.
“Foreign Language Activities” guidelines
To form the foundation of pupils’ communication abilities through foreign languages while developing the understanding of languages and cultures through various experiences, fostering a positive attitude toward communication, and familiarizing pupils with the sounds and basic expressions of foreign languages.
Ministry of Education, Culture, Sport, Science, and Technology (MEXT),
2009
Goals of ES English
Goals of ES English• Preparation for JHS English (4 skills)
• Alphabet and phonics
• Classroom English
• “Thinking in English”
• Confidence
Challenges of ES English
Challenges of ES English• Pronunciation (not katakana)
• 100% English vs. 100% translation
• No English outside of the classroom
• Motivation (why English?)
• Shy, embarassed, or low-level students
Tools & Methodology• BIG colorful pictures and realia.