TESOL Thesis The purpose of Studying English in Japan

One of the main reasons Japanese students study English is to pass college entrance exams. Another is to acquire skills to communicate with people from different countries. The emphasis on college entrance exams has always outweighed other reasons that require communicative skills. It is commonly perceived that the Japanese are poor communicators in foreign languages. They rank low in international English proficiency tests. Generally speaking, Japanese university graduates need an additional two years of intensive study to attain a reasonable ability in English. But over the last few decades, a cry for better communication skills has been ever greater. Although we study English for all of ten years we still cannot speak it. This is a phrase often heard in Japan. This is probably the summary of English education most often repeated by students and teachers and parents over the last two decades. However, this phrase is both misleading and true at the same time. It has implications for several aspects of foreign language learning and teaching in Japan.

Policy on English Education

In order to improve the dire language-learning situation, Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) recently made drastic changes in their education policy. They announced in their press releases of 2002 that they would develop a strategic plan to cultivate Japanese with English Abilities. Their objectives are as follows. (http://www.mext.go.jp/english/news/2002/07/020901.htm ). With the progress of globalization in the economy and in society, it is essential that children acquire communication skills in English, which has become a common international language. This has become an extremely important issue both in terms of the future of children and the further development of Japan as a nation. At present, though, the English-speaking abilities of a large percentage of the population are inadequate, and this imposes restrictions on exchanges with foreigners and creates occasions when the ideas and opinions of Japanese people are

not appropriately evaluated. However, it is not possible to state that Japanese people have sufficient ability to express their opinions based on a rm grasp of their own language. Accordingly, we have formulated a strategy to cultivate Japanese with English abilities in a concrete action plan with the aim of drastically improving the English education of Japanese people. Policies on English education have been under the jurisdiction of MEXT. In 2003, MEXT announced the Action Plan to Cultivate Japanese with English Abilities. The plan starts with a discussion of the state of affairs with globalization: in this globalizing world, as transfers of information and capital, and movement of people and products have increased, interdependency has deepened. This has brought international economic competition, called mega-competition, and much effort is necessary to meet such challenges; sharing of wisdom among different peoples is needed for the resolution of worldwide issues, such as environmental problems; globalization affects individuals as well as businesses, with increased opportunities to come in contact with the global market and service, and participate in international activities; and there is a strong demand for the abilities to obtain and understand knowledge and information as well as the abilities to transmit information and to engage in communication. Based on this understanding, English is perceived as the common international language. English education is justified for children living in the globalizing world (Monbukagaku shou 2003, Preface). Toward this goal, seven actions are advocated, six of which are directly related to English education, and one on Japanese ability. Improvement of English education: improvement of English classes, improving teaching ability of teachers and system, improving motivation, improvement in the evaluation system, support for English conversation activities in elementary schools, and promotion of practical research. Improvement of communicative competence of Japanese as a base for that of English and for fostering Japanese people rich in humanity with an awareness of society The MEXT plan recognizes that English is used as the lingua franca in the current globalizing era and acknowledges a downside of this by stating, due to lack of sufficient ability, many Japanese are restricted in their exchanges with foreigners and their ideas or opinions are not evaluated appropriately (Monbukagaku shou, 2003, Preface). Under this conception, it is not only English but also the Japanese language that are positioned as necessities to increase communicative competence.

The plan states that it is also necessary for Japanese to develop their ability to clearly express their opinions in Japanese first in order to learn English (Monbukagaku shou, 2003, Preface ). To this end, several plans for improving Japanese language abilities are being made: realization of guidelines, which stresses communicative skills; promotion of students reading books; raising awareness of the language; and teacher education. It also states the importance of respecting Japanese language in order to live within an international society shutaiteki Japanese. The word shutaiteki means independence, autonomy, self-control, self-directedness, and initiative. It should be noted, however, that the English version of the Action Plan (p. 18) lacks a translation for this word.

Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Action Plan to Cultivate Japanese with English Abilities
SOURCE: http://www.mext.go.jp/english/topics/03072801.htm

For children living in the 21st century, it is essential for them to acquire

communication abilities in English as a common international language.

y

English abilities are important in terms of linking our country with the rest

of the world, obtaining the worlds understanding and trust, enhancing our international presence and further developing our nation.
y Due to the lack of sufficient ability, many Japanese are restricted in their exchanges with foreigners and their ideas or opinions are not evaluated appropriately. (It is also necessary for Japanese to develop their ability to clearly express their own opinions in Japanese first in order to learn English.)

Goals to Cultivate Japanese with English Abilit ies

Goals

English language abilities required for all Japanese nationals On graduating from junior high school and senior high school, graduates can communicate in English
y

On graduation from a junior high school, students can conduct basic communicat on i with regard to areas such as greetings, responses, or topics relating to daily life. (English-language abilities for graduates should be the third level of the Society for Testing English Proficiency (STEP) on average.)

On graduation from a senior high school, students can conduct normal communication with regard to topics, for example, relating to daily life. (English-language abilities for graduates should be the second level or the pre-second level of the Society for Testing English Proficiency (STEP) on average.)

English language skills required for specialized fields or for those active in international society On graduating from university, graduates can use English in their work
y

Each university should establish attainment targets from the viewpoint of fostering personnel who can use English in their work.

Action to Improve English education

Improvement of English classes Goals Cultivating communication abilities through the repetition of activities making use of English y The majority of an English class will be conducted in English and many activities where students can communicate in English will be introduced. y Small-group teaching and the streaming of students according to proficiency in the English classes of junior and senior high schools will be positively adopted. y

Progressive schools in terms of English education will be formed within local

communities.

Improving the teaching ability of English teachers and upgrading the teaching system Goals y

Almost all English teachers will acquire English skills (STEP pre-first level,
TOEFL 550, TOEIC 730 or over) and the teaching ability to be able to conduct classes to cultivate communication abilities through the repetition of activities making using of English.

Centering on leading teachers at the local community level, the improvement of

English abilities in the community will be enhanced.

A native speaker of English will attend English classes at junior and senior high schools more than once a week.

People living in the local community proficient in English will be positively

utilized. 3. Improving motivation for learning English Goals y y y 10,000 high school students will study abroad every year.

Opportunities to use English outside the class will be enhanced. International exchange will be further developed through such means as
communicating with the world using English.

Improvement in the evaluation system for selecting school and university applicants Goals y Communication abilities, including listening and speaking, will be

appropriately evaluated. y Utilization of listening tests or external proficiency examinations will be encouraged for entrance examinations of universities and high schools. Support for English conversation activities in elementary schools Goals

At elementary schools where English conversation activities take place in the Period for Integrated Study, approximately 1/3 of these sessions will be guided by personnel such as foreign teachers, those who are proficient in English and junior high school English teachers.