Thursday, July 3, 2008

By WAYNE MALCOLM

Akita

Regarding the June 28 article "Third-grade English may get test run in fiscal 2009" by Takahiro Fukada: I commend the Japanese government for looking to extend the blanket of English- language education to third-graders. From my travels, as well as interactions with others in Japan, this can only benefit Japan and the World. That said, the implementation scheme troubles me. Here is a possible three-point solution:

• Use the JET program more effectively. Proper instruction needs to be given on how these teachers are trained and used. There should be a formal English-language teaching program implemented if there isn't already. JET teachers should be working with teachers to raise the standards of the schools they teach at. Currently there is an imbalance in the system. With regular oversight and review the burden can be taken off elementary school teachers who have inadequate ability to teach English and frankly should be learning it.
• Don't reinvent the wheel. In Singapore, people learn English and, in many cases, a dialect of Chinese. In India, children learn Hindi and English. In nearly every European country, the children learn their native tongue as well as a neighboring country's tongue and English. And in Africa, many top government officials speak multiple languages, one of them English. Adapt these models to Japan.
• Don't underestimate the abilities of children. They have powers far beyond what we give them credit for. If we build a nurturing, fun environment and properly use the resources available, children will learn any language we present to them.

The opinions expressed in this letter to the editor are the writer's own and do not necessarily reflect the policies of The Japan Times.

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