Japan overhauls national education program: English Language mandated as a required subject

[Aepsilons]

Japan's education minister proposed an overhaul of elementary and high schools curricula Thursday to his advisory panel, making English a regular subject for fifth and sixth graders.

Hakubun Shimomura, who heads the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, asked the Central Council for Education to study the plan which also includes making Japanese history, currently an elective, a mandatory subject for senior high school students as part of revisions to the school curriculum guidelines.

After deliberations by the panel, the minister will likely decide on the revisions during the 2016 academic year through March 2017.

The new curriculum guidelines are expected to be implemented for elementary schools in the 2020 academic year, junior high schools in the 2021 academic year, and senior high schools in the 2022 academic year or later.

To better prepare students for an international environment, the proposed curriculum guidelines will include teaching English from the third grade at elementary level, earlier than the fifth grade under the current system.

The English subject will also be upgraded as an official course for fifth and sixth-graders at schools where English is taught as part of a scheme to learn a foreign language.

For junior high school students, the English will be taught on an immersion basis, with no Japanese spoken in the classroom, while senior high school students will be required to debate a wide range of issues in English, according to the envisioned curriculum guidelines.

On measures other than boosting English-language education, the minister also proposed to the advisory panel reviewing the way geography and history are taught.

The current curriculum guidelines -- which were fully implemented in elementary and high schools from the 2011-2013 academic year -- were created to break away from the government's relaxed education policy which was criticized as having spurred a decline in Japanese students' academic skills. The annual number of class hours was subsequently increased.


Education minister proposes school curriculum overhaul in Japan | GlobalPost

 

[root]

English language is necessary to learn since it is widely used language so i think it is good step by Japanese education minister.

 

[Aepsilons]

English language is necessary to learn since it is widely used language so i think it is good step by Japanese education minister.

Yes, that's right. Its just important that the children are accustomed to English proficiency, period.

 

[powastick]

Yes, that's right. Its just important that the children are accustomed to English proficiency, period.

I've meet an Japanese exchange student in Malaysia. He can't speak English and we use Kanji communicating with him. Alphabet lets you pronounce word, but does not relay the meaning of word.

 

[Aepsilons]

I've meet an Japanese exchange student in Malaysia. He can't speak English and we use Kanji communicating with him. Alphabet lets you pronounce word, but does not relay the meaning of word.

He cannot speak English at all? Hmm, i'm guessing he is studying in Malaysia for the English language learning programs, right? Btw, Malaysia and Philippines are popular destinations for English Language learning for many Japanese. I actually saw some reports that Koreans, too, are also studying English in Malaysia and Philippines. Can you confirm this for me?


PS. In behalf of my fellow countryman, thank you! For showing him hospitality and understanding....!

 

[powastick]

He cannot speak English at all? Hmm, i'm guessing he is studying in Malaysia for the English language learning programs, right?

No he can't, I was surprise. Student exchange programme for high school student. He did bring an electronic dictionary to school.

Btw, Malaysia and Philippines are popular destinations for English Language learning for many Japanese. I actually saw some reports that Koreans, too, are also studying English in Malaysia and Philippines. Can you confirm this for me?

I can't confirm these. I have seen Koreans students here in the capital. Its a shame I didn't had the chance to talk to them.

By the way, you can get your Japanese books from Kinokuniya.

 

[Aepsilons]

No he can't, I was surprise. Student exchange programme for high school student. He did bring an electronic dictionary to school.


I can't confirm these. I have seen Koreans students here in the capital. Its a shame I didn't had the chance to talk to them.

By the way, you can get your Japanese books from Kinokuniya.

One University in Malaysia that is known for its excellent English Language Program is Asia Pacific Univeristy of Technology and Innovation. Its in Kuala Lumpur.

I was able to find a video on the program:

Japanese Students @ Asia Pacific Language Centre, Kuala Lumpur - Malaysia! - YouTube

 

[tonyget]

Ever seen a Japanese guy teaching English in a English speaking country ?

 

[Aepsilons]

Ever seen a Japanese guy teaching English in a English speaking country ?

No, but I've seen a Japanese guy teaching Psychology in an English speaking country.

 

[tonyget]

No, but I've seen a Japanese guy teaching Psychology in an English speaking country.

When did u start to teach ?

 

[Aepsilons]

When did u start to teach ?

Offtopic: I've been teaching as a college lecturer whilst working on my Ph.D.

 

[LowPost]

I'm wondering which subjects will be instructed in English. Just to let you know, my History and Social Science courses are bilingual, i.e. English is used as the language of instruction along with German.

 

[Aepsilons]

I'm wondering which subjects will be instructed in English. Just to let you know, my History and Social Science courses are bilingual, i.e. English is used as the language of instruction along with German.

Honestly, its so important to learn English early on. Its far easier for young students to learn languages than older students. English Language classes are an additional class included into the overall curricula.

 

[LowPost]

Honestly, its so important to learn English early on. Its far easier for young students to learn languages than older students. English Language classes are an additional class included into the overall curricula.

It is, look at Scandinavia as an excellent example - Norwegians for instance learn English as early as kindergarten and English films and TV series are rarely dubbed, but subtitled. I'm sure Japan learns from Norway in that regard

 

[mike2000]

View attachment 155586

Japan's education minister proposed an overhaul of elementary and high schools curricula Thursday to his advisory panel, making English a regular subject for fifth and sixth graders.

Hakubun Shimomura, who heads the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, asked the Central Council for Education to study the plan which also includes making Japanese history, currently an elective, a mandatory subject for senior high school students as part of revisions to the school curriculum guidelines.

After deliberations by the panel, the minister will likely decide on the revisions during the 2016 academic year through March 2017.

The new curriculum guidelines are expected to be implemented for elementary schools in the 2020 academic year, junior high schools in the 2021 academic year, and senior high schools in the 2022 academic year or later.

To better prepare students for an international environment, the proposed curriculum guidelines will include teaching English from the third grade at elementary level, earlier than the fifth grade under the current system.

The English subject will also be upgraded as an official course for fifth and sixth-graders at schools where English is taught as part of a scheme to learn a foreign language.

For junior high school students, the English will be taught on an immersion basis, with no Japanese spoken in the classroom, while senior high school students will be required to debate a wide range of issues in English, according to the envisioned curriculum guidelines.

On measures other than boosting English-language education, the minister also proposed to the advisory panel reviewing the way geography and history are taught.

The current curriculum guidelines -- which were fully implemented in elementary and high schools from the 2011-2013 academic year -- were created to break away from the government's relaxed education policy which was criticized as having spurred a decline in Japanese students' academic skills. The annual number of class hours was subsequently increased.


Education minister proposes school curriculum overhaul in Japan | GlobalPost

Welcome to our Anglo saxon world Japan. Though you are late in the game since your neighbours like China, Philippines, Hong Kong,South Korea etc have established such measures long ago. Better late than never though. Our language is the worlds language, so its better Japan gets on board as ASAP, less it be left behind.