RRJ#5

Reference
Shiomi, N. (2009, Dec 3rd). Hokkaido primary teachers help each other in English. Daily Yomiuri Online. Retrienved on Dec 8th, 2009 from
http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/features/language/20091203TDY12001.htm

Summary

This article is written about the training to teach English for primay school students. In Hokkaido, teachers gathered there to train and share how to teach English, and at the same time, they established an organization, AEEN, to exchange thoughts and teaching skills. Then they showed their own lesson sample, later every teacher made suggestions to presenters about how to improve classes. In this orgnization, thay talked about not only how to teach English but also the severe problems which happened in their school.
In Saitama, Tomoko Mizugychi, who is enpliyed in an organization like that of Hokkaido, helps the primary school teachers when they teach English. She used good materials, such as traditional toys. Moreover, this city's government gathered many people who can teach English: for instance, flight attendants and teachers who have already worked. And this organization offers teachers training program to reach English.

Reaction

I want to suggest that the government should force every city to make an orgnization like that of Hokkaido and Saitama. A lot of teachers have no strategy to reach English, so this is a nice chance to know how to teach English. In addition, all primary school teachers have to research how they teach students English effectively. Hitomi Mori, who is a Kyoei primary school teacher, said, " I focused on using things that will hold my students' interest." I strongly agree with her ideas. The most inportant aim of Englsih class for primary school students is to give students interests in English. If teachers can't do this, the prifect will spoil in spite of thinking for a long time. She teaches not only English noa also America's culture over playing game. It is good for students to know the difference between cultures because students can know the unknown world and extend their view.
In terms of Mizuguchi's class, I was interested in her teaching. It is the main point that she used materials which are related to traditional Japanese culture. Students should know the Japanese traditions brfore learning English, because students can't introduce Japan's tradition when foreigners ask about it if they don't know it. Her class is efficient for students.
Finally, teachers have to discuss English lessons together as any teachers can make them nore effective by taking advantage of the organization.

RRJ#4

Reference
Shiomi, N (2009, Nov 26th). Technology gives kids a window on world. Daily Yomiuri Online. Retrienved on Dec 2nd, 2009 from
http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/features/language/20091126DY14001.htm

Summary

In this article, it is written about new systems to learn English. In Mikanodai Primary school, students enjoy speaking English with Australia friends by using an Internet teleconference. Shoji Umeda, who made this system, said that he made it not only to study English but also to look outside Japan. Moreover, city government established an Educational Media Center. As a result of it, other cities' primary schools also can use this system, and speak wirh people from many countries. But a lot of teachers are reluctant to use this system because it is too difficult to master how to use.
In the case of another primary school, Kazumi Toriumi, who is a middle school teacher, is considering an English curriculum for primary and middle school, so Toriumi teaches English at Rawara Primary school. She stated advantages: "Teachers can discuss about how to teach easily and konw the daily life of children." But teachers need good communication with each other to succeed in this curriculum.

Reaction

I was surprised because teaching English is progressing day by day. Actually, my university in Japan uses an Internet teleconference ot lrarn TESOL between Japan and Australia. I didn't know that students in primary school used this system. If it is extended in Japan, children can get more chances to speak English with native speakers than before. In addition, they can talk to people who come from another country, so they ara able to know other languages. Now, people think that it is normal to speak English, so if children can speak third languages, it must be an advantage and benefit. But there is a problem to extend in Japan. Every primary school needs much money. Even if gobrtnment helps to pay money, it doesn't have enough money. Japan will need long period intil popolarizes this system in Japan.
I think Tawara Primary school is very active for English education. The school cooperates with a middle school to develop its English education system. According to the article, students take English class from first grade once a week. The ages of five and six are suitable to learn the second language because a thinking is in the critical period, so the school should gradually increase the amout of English class to raise children who can speak English. In addition, when students go up to middle school, middle school teacher can treat students smoothly because teachers share student information with each other. Finally, I wish every primary school becomes active about English education like these two schools.

RRJ#3

Reference
Shiomi, N. (2009, Nov. 12th). Primary school stresses planning lessons. Daily Yomiuri Online. Rertieved on Nov 17, 2009 from
http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/features/language/20091112DY14001.htm

Summary

In this article, the author wrote about the elementary school English ecucation. In Chiba, which is near Tokyo, Narita primary school started teaching English for students in 1996 for the first time. Later, schools which have classes in English have increased everywhere since 2000. In the class, teachers mainly use English with ALT, Assistant Language Teacher, and as a result of it, a lot of students try to use and speak English actively. In addition, primary school teachers discuss English classes with junior high school teachers, and then they learn how to teach and shere their ideas. But teachers who can teach English are still a few, so many primary school teacher are worried about teaching English to the students. Moreover, the English classes are going to start in 2011 officially, and teachers have to consider about how to teach by themselces.

Reaction

I`m also interested in the primary Englsih education, because the course of sutdy is going to change in 2011. In the earlystage, is is better for students such as primary school students to touch or learn English. This must be a good chance to change Japan`s English education. Although it will start from 5th and 6th grade student in next course of study, English education should begin from an earlier grade because younger children can understand and use what they learn sooner than older people. But the primary school teachers won`t be able to teach soon, because they haven`t taught English before. Moreover, they have no standard to teach English, so they must fing their own teaching. This makes it difficult for them to teach English. They need to communicate with Junior high school teachers, and take lessons to teach it. Every primary school should follow Narita primary school`s example. In terms of students, they won`t deal with English soon, even if teachers can teach English. If students aren`t intersted in English, it will be nonsense to continue to consider it for a long time. If I were teacher, first of all, I would teach an easy greeting, game, and song. The next course of study`s purpose is to touch English in the early stage, so a teacher should use materials where students can have an interest in English. Although teachers have many problems, I wish English education would succeed from now onward.

Reference
Seki, H. (2009, Oct .29). Today`s College Scene/ICU: Studying abroad at home Daily Yomiuri online. Retriened on Nov 4, 2009 from
http://www.yomiuru.co.jp/dy/features/language/20091029TDY16002.htm

summary
In this article, the university which focuses on English education increases in Japan, and the author indicated one shcool. ICU, international christian university, is one of the schools which are rtying to develop the English education. ICU offers students not only English education but also many kinds of educational chances by teaching in small groups. In addition, the university gave students opportunities to learn English; for example, in the domitory, Japanese people can live with students who are from different contries. There is a program where they can go abroad as a volunteer. In terms of English calsses, Japanese students have to take no more than 13 English classes in a week dering their first year. Then they are taught about how to discuss and write in English. ICU is the university which has a good English education system.

Reaction
ICu is a good environment to learn English. Especially, the great point which this university has is the abundance of class. According to the article, every manfresh has to take 13 classes, so each of them must develop their four skills in English. In this university, they should continue to take English until they graduate. And they will be able to find their new character because they take other classes besides English. In addition, this university gives many chances to speak with foreigners in English by making a dormitory in which they can live with them. It is an important thing to touch English everywhere. Moreover, this university gives a chance for them to go abroad as a volunteer. I think going abroad is the best way to improve the English skill. And if people can go abroad, they can experience several things, such as local food, cluture, and living. They can expand their thought abd view, so it will be useful in the future. I am just feeling other culture now. I wish the experience of living for a long time in America could be helpful in the future.

RRJ#1

Reference
Takeuchi, Y. (ct 22nd, 2009). Medium is only parts of message at Osaka school. Daily Yomiuri Online. Referenced on Oct 28, 2009 from
http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/features/language/20091022TDY14002.htm


Summary
Nowadays, children's English skill has declined compared with that of the past children because of the government's educational policy. The educational institute was made in Japan to develop the English skill amang children. The student took the class in which they can only speak English. Eriko Kato, the top of this institute, stated that this institute offers to the students not only listening and speaking but also reading and writing skills through the several activities. Moreover, Japan's universities also started making the class using only English; for instance, Kwansei Gakuin University, which is famous for its English education, made more than 20 classes in English. But the author is worried about whether the students follow the class.


Reaction
The problem that the children's academic knowledge is declining is usually featured on TV. It is a good idea to make an institute in we can use English. Moreover, this class is taken by a few students, so many chances to speak English are given each child. I think it is the best environment to learn English. In Japan, there are few chances to speak English, so Japanese can't speak English in spite of learning it for a long time. Nowadays, the world is advancing in its internationalism, so the people need to speak to commuicate with international peaple. To solve the ploblem, the institute will be useful. As the author said, I'm worried about whether the students can take part in the classes too. I also took the class in English in my university. At first, I couldn't understand what to do or what teacher said, but gradually I could. As the student takes the class, their English skill will go up. I think it is difficult to improve the students' skill if the class is taken as the normal school. The teachers have to teach an impressive class; for example, they use the unforgattable object, chart, and picture. When I teach the students English, I must be careful about this point. The teachers should continue to think about how they teach English for the students.