All English in 2013

[pakalikaPakalika]

Just had this sent to me in a email from Educareer and read it this morning. I don't see how they are going to be able to do this without changing the way English books are or the JTE's teach. What do think?

From 2013 the Ministry of Education will require that all English classes be conducted solely in English. Even for those who team-teach with a Japanese teacher, the JTE will also be forbidden from speaking Japanese in the classroom, and will be expected to use English even in the grammar lessons with no native speaker. Many teachers feel ill-prepared for this, and it’s unclear how students, who often depend on the JTEs’ translation in class, will handle suddenly having to think in English. Adjustment pains aside, if put into practice effectively, this could be a great chance to improve the communication ability of Japanese students. How can you help contribute?

1.Start now. Make sure all classroom directions and small talk is done in English. The earlier you start, the better- I’ve seem JHS 3rd years flummoxed by “open your textbook”, so the quicker they get used to English orders the better prepared they will be for the change.

2.Help your JTEs. The Japanese English teachers are undoubtedly busy, but take the time to make English conversation with them if there’s a spare moment and answer any questions they might have. Teachers with lower levels of ability may lack confidence, and the more they can use English the more prepared they will be to use it in the classroom

3.Show teachers how natives teach grammar. One of the biggest challenges for the Japanese teachers will be explaining the grammar needed for entrance exams in English. This is one of the biggest drawbacks of the proposed system-students will still need to learn the translation method and obscure grammar that has little to do with communication but is on the university exams, only now all the preparation has to be in English. If you have any of your grade school grammar books or online resources, share them with your JTEs. Having an example of how to explain English grammar in English might help them in the classroom.

4.Create an English-friendly environment. Have English books, magazines, cds, etc. around that will encourage natural English use. Even if you can’t always use them in class, having things around for students to borrow and use will serve as conversation starters.

Though the official start date is a ways off, laying the groundwork now will be a big help in upping the English level of your school. Good luck!

[azuhlLt.]

Is this seriously the decision of the MEXT? (That's not a swear-word btw).

This is a terrible decision in my opinion, whilst it is 'apparently' a good idea, I know for a fact that our second and third years will struggle to the point of wanting to give up. I did the 'no Japanese' thing when I worked for an Eikaiwa, the kids often just nodded and pretended they knew what I was talking about, but couldn't do the confirmation games. I started peppering what little Japanese I knew into the classes and they actually improved, banning Japanese all-together is not a sensible idea, imo.
Reducing the amount of English is a good idea, but removing the option? Nah. That's my 2 Yen.

Thanks for the info Pakalika, I'll have a chat with my JTEs and see what their views are.

UPDATE: Had a chat with our 3IC who is also head of English, he's heard nothing of this, but thinks it's a stupid idea (off the record).
*I'm inclined to agree with you Pakalika, this will discourage students who are, to put it bluntly, used to being spoon-fed information.

[pakalikaPakalika]

Is this seriously the decision of the MEXT? (That's not a swear-word btw).

This is a terrible decision in my opinion, whilst it is 'apparently' a good idea, I know for a fact that our second and third years will struggle to the point of wanting to give up. I did the 'no Japanese' thing when I worked for an Eikaiwa, the kids often just nodded and pretended they knew what I was talking about, but couldn't do the confirmation games. I started peppering what little Japanese I knew into the classes and they actually improved, banning Japanese all-together is not a sensible idea, imo.
Reducing the amount of English is a good idea, but removing the option? Nah. That's my 2 Yen.

Thanks for the info Pakalika, I'll have a chat with my JTEs and see what their views are.

Back when I had to learn Spanish, in high school, my classes were all that way. But the books we used had like a translation in them. Not word for word, but what the teacher was teaching you could find out what it means. If they do go through this, I think it will kind of discourage students in learning English and Japans English will get even worse.

[jeisensei]

Hmm... Don't like this idea in the least. There has to be a balance of Japanese use in the English classroom and "none" is nowhere close to balanced.

[himitsu]

Haha! That will never work! All I can say.
The people who decided this probably never learned a foreign language.
The first steps to learning a language is not getting used to it, but understanding it. Only after that comes the "nareru" thing.

[TheModMan]

Isnt that for High School only?

[pakalikaPakalika]

Isnt that for High School only?

I am not sure. I was trying to look it up to find some where it said it, but I could not find anything. Anyone know where to look up rules and regs for teaching English made by the Mext?

[jeisensei]

I just looked it up. From what I can see it is only in HS. That slightly changes my opinion, but not all that much.

[pakalikaPakalika]

I just looked it up. From what I can see it is only in HS. That slightly changes my opinion, but not all that much.

Where did you find it?

[Otaku]

I believe that change was supposed to be for HS, but I thought it was supposed to go into effect in 2012?

'When' is really not the important thing. Also, 'at what level' this is supposed to be implemented is also not that important.

I think it comes down to the teachers, textbooks and a HUGE shift in the English teaching paradigm in this country. Teachers need to change how they teach. The textbooks need an overhaul. And the way English education is taught (lecture-based and rote memorization) needs to be seriously addressed. This upcoming change is simply a new rule that is pre-destined to fail, and/or one of those rules that will be on the books but not enforced.

And when it does fail, J-educators are going to blame the English language and how it's too difficult to learn, instead of looking how they tried to implement a new system onto an already failing current system.

IMHO, in order for Japanese to become competent in the English language, they are going to have to let go of the ironclad fist they have on protecting their own 'culture' and accept the international community a bit more.

Oh, and, STOP LETTING JAPANESE PEOPLE AND MEXT CREATE THE ENGLISH TEXTBOOKS!!! How many years of failure have you shown that you can't successfully teach J-students a compentent level of English? Stand aside and let professional native English speakers try. NOT IT!

[pakalikaPakalika]

I believe that change was supposed to be for HS, but I thought it was supposed to go into effect in 2012?

'When' is really not the important thing. Also, 'at what level' this is supposed to be implemented is also not that important.

I think it comes down to the teachers, textbooks and a HUGE shift in the English teaching paradigm in this country. Teachers need to change how they teach. The textbooks need an overhaul. And the way English education is taught (lecture-based and rote memorization) needs to be seriously addressed. This upcoming change is simply a new rule that is pre-destined to fail, and/or one of those rules that will be on the books but not enforced.

And when it does fail, J-educators are going to blame the English language and how it's too difficult to learn, instead of looking how they tried to implement a new system onto an already failing current system.

IMHO, in order for Japanese to become competent in the English language, they are going to have to let go of the ironclad fist they have on protecting their own 'culture' and accept the international community a bit more.

Oh, and, STOP LETTING JAPANESE PEOPLE AND MEXT CREATE THE ENGLISH TEXTBOOKS!!! How many years of failure have you shown that you can't successfully teach J-students a compentent level of English? Stand aside and let professional native English speakers try. NOT IT!

Totally agree with you on that

[jeisensei]

@Otaku Me, too! Not it!

@pak: I did a google search for 2013 and English education in Japanese. There were a few pages about it, but not really a lot.

[Kanashibari]

Oh yes, this will make the kids LOVE English class all the more!!!