English Education in Japan

A governmental study shows 58.4% of high school senior students hate English and only 14% students want to get business level English skills. The survey also revealed that these high school senior students were certified as junior high school level. More over, the accuracy rate of writing section was only 10%. 

I think if they really have junior high school level English skills, that would be great. You can express almost every things in English that you learn at junior high school. 

I don't think the results are special. Every subjects would be the same. Most students would forget what they have learned after taking tests. That's the way it is. You may know that. 

I don't think English education at school in Japan should be changed. You can learn English grammar and you can learn English words at school. That would be enough. 

If you want to improve your English skills, just practice hard like sports. English is no exception to this rule. 

にほんブログ村

English Teachers in Japan

Many people say, "English education is important for Japanese students, but it hasn't worked effectively. It is partly because English teachers don't have enough skills in English."

Some critics said they have to take English tests such as TOEIC, TOEFL or Eiken to prove their English abilities. 

But I don't think they have to study for taking these tests just to verify their skills. Of course they must study English all the time, but they should focus on how to teach English first. 

The problem of English teachers is that the process of selecting teachers itself. How education boards or schools select English teachers? I don't think they have been serious about choosing teachers among candidates. 

Hire skillful English teachers. That's all. 

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Child Marriage in Africa

Child marriage is a bad tradition in African nations. At least 30% of girls are married under age of 18. The rates are even higher in some countries, the rates are above 70% in Niger and Chado. Many of them are forced to do so due to their tradition and poverty. 

Child marriage causes mental and physical problems because of young age pregnancy. They also can't get enough education. 

African Union is trying to end child marriage. They started a two years campaign this year. I don't know the details, but I think two years seems too short to end the tradition. Education for both adults and girls is the primary for reducing young age marriage. 

Old generations might hard to change their thoughts. But as educated people including girls increase in Africa, the bad tradition will come to a period at the end of the day. Education, like Malala said, can change the world. 

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Japanese English Teachers

The Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology announced that most Japan's English teachers don't have enough levels of English tests results. The Ministry said teachers should require at least TOEIC 730, Eiken Pre-1st grade or TOEFL iBT 80. Only 53% of high school teachers and 28 % of middle school teachers have these qualifications. 

I don't believe all Japanese English teachers have poor English skills. Of course there are many teachers required good English skills. And there would be many teachers who never took English test. But once they take an English test, I hope they can easily pass the previous levels. 

Nevertheless I have to say, I've never taken Eiken and TOEFL, TOEIC 730 is not a level of teach English at school. 

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