Friday, December 11, 2009

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.

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