Today, English is the most studied international
language all over the world. In Japan, English is regarded as important and in
Japanese elementary schools, weekly English
classes (fifth and sixth grades) have been implanted since 2011.
Worldwide, Japanese people are considered to have
low-level abilities in English and this is generally true. Countries that have
already introduced mandatory English classes from elementary school are common.
They can study English from a young age, and many people can speak English
fluently as an adult. In short, Japan is falling behind other countries in
English education.
How do other countries teach English? Switzerland is
known as a “bilingual country”. English education starts from
grades two or three (depending on the states).
This paper is about English education in Japan and Switzerland, the differences
in thinking and the levels of English education Switzerland and Japan. Comparing
with Switzerland, this paper will discuss problems of the present early English
education in Japan.
In 2002, English education started in Japanese
elementary schools. It is later than other countries. The Ministry of Education
published “A strategic concept for development of Japanese that can use
English” in 2002 and support of English conversation activities of elementary
school in “the action plan for Japanese that can use English” in 2003. English
activities were adopted in “periods for integrated study” and enforced ALT
activity for students to get to know English better by songs or games and so on
(Hayashi, 2007, p. 95), The coexistence of different culture, civilization or
the international cooperation for the sustainable development is required for
the globalization of social or economy. Hayashi (2007, p. 94) said that it is
important that children feel foreign language or to be fond of foreign life or
culture as part of the international understanding education.
In spring, 2011, English education curriculum
finally was introduced as compulsory education. This was for the fifth and
sixth grades of all Elementary school students. Students need 35 credits for a
year. The aim of English education in elementary school is to advance English
skill like phonetic sounds, conversational expression, grammar through English
communication activity or interaction with foreigner like ALTS (Assistant
Language Teachers). At the elementary school phase, children can take phonetic
sounds flexibly and are more proactive in their communication to promote better
international understanding (Ministry of education website). The merits are mastering
pronunciation and heightened effect of English education after junior high
school.
However, there are problems. There are many
difficult points for English education to be put into effect uniformly from
elementary school level. ALTs and the teachers in charge should have English
ability to lead or this activity may increase the number of people who hate
English and so on. Japanese future will relate how to overcome such problems.
3. English Education
in Switzerland
Switzerland is a nation where many languages are
spoken. The educational systems in each state are different. In this country,
there are many people that can speak 3 or 4 foreign languages. The languages in
daily use by Swiss residents (1990) are German (72%), French (33%), Italian
(14.5%), English (10.9%), Romance language (0.9%) and other (11.2%) (La Suisse 1997, p. ). English speakers are
increasing, and 15% of workers use English in occupational environments. As Swiss industry changes from primary industry to service
industry or sightseeing, English use has magnified.
The spread of English is also concerned with society
and culture. In Switzerland the use of many languages means that social
differences of linguistic groups are big even if they are in the same language
zone. English is acceptable as an equally distant language, so many English
expressions are used frequently in the posters, signs, television advertising,
etc.
The compulsory education is 9 years from 6 years old
in every state. Language study is trilingual. They study German, French, Italian
and the Romance language as minority languages. The second language of Swiss
people is French in German block and German in French or Italian block. From
the first grade of elementary school, the second language is a required subject
because Swiss official languages are German, French and Italian. English is a required
subject from 7th grade. (Hirao, 2000 p.170)
However,
some areas in Switzerland also want to implement “an early stage of English learning”. Kobayashi
(1998, p. 125-126) said that in Switzerland, second language education is
compulsory subject from elementary education, but they attach greater
importance to English than Italian which is an official language. So it is a problem to add an early stage of English
learning to the previous second language education. 770/11894
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