2003/03/31
|
Regarding the Establishment of an Action Plan to
Cultivate
“Japanese with English
Abilities” |
Regarding the Establishment of an
Action Plan to Cultivate
“Japanese with English
Abilities”
Recently,
globalization in various fields of the economy and society has advanced
rapidly. Transfers of information and capital across national borders as
well as the movement of people and products have increased. Thus,
international interdependency has deepened. At the same time,
international economic competition has intensified entering a so-called
period of “mega-competition”. Much effort is necessary to meet such
challenges. In addition, the situation demands the sharing of wisdom among
different peoples for the resolution of worldwide issues that face
humanity such as global environmental problems. Given such circumstances,
international understanding and cooperation are essential, as is the
perspective of living as a member of the international society.
Globalization extends to various
activities of individuals as well as to the business world. Each
individual has increasing opportunities to come in contact with the global
market and services, and participate in international activities. It has
become possible for anyone to become active on a world level.
Furthermore, due to progress in the
information technology revolution, a wide range of activities, from daily
life to economic activities, are being influenced by the movement to a
knowledge-based society driven by the forces of knowledge and information.
Thus, 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.
In such
a situation, English has played a central role as the common international
language in linking people who have different mother tongues. For children
living in the 21st century, it is essential for them to acquire
communication abilities in English as a common international language. In
addition, English abilities are important in terms of linking our country
with the rest of the world, obtaining the world’s understanding and trust,
enhancing our international presence and further developing our nation.
At present, though, 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.
In response to this situation, the
Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) has
formulated various measures such as the revision of the Ministry's Courses
of Study with a further focus on cultivating students’ basic and practical
communication abilities. However, in order to make such improvements bear
fruit, it is necessary to carry out simultaneously a number of different
measures. These include improving teaching methods, improving the teaching
ability of teachers, improving the selection system for school and
university applicants as well as creating better curricula.
To this end, opinions of numerous
experts were obtained through bodies such as the “Round-table Committee
for the Improvement of English Teaching Methods,” and the “Round-table
Committee on English Education Reform.” Based on such opinions, “A
Strategic Plan to Cultivate ‘Japanese with English Abilities’” was
formulated in July of last year, as a comprehensive and concrete plan for
the purpose of drastically reforming English education in our country.
Building on the strategic plan, this
Action Plan establishes a system for cultivating “Japanese with English
abilities” in 5 years, based on measures included in the strategic plan
and measures included in the budget for 2003. The formulation of this
concrete action plan clarifies the goals and directions for the
improvement of English education to be achieved by 2008 and the measures
that should be taken by the government to realize these goals.
Cultivating “Japanese with English
Abilities” is an extremely important issue for the future of our children
and for the further development of our country. However, this issue will
only be resolved when the relevant parties related to English education
(such as relevant personnel in national, public, and private elementary,
junior high, senior high schools, and universities as well as relevant
personnel in local municipal bodies) seek to realize this goal by making
improvements to the system from their respective positions.
In addition, in order to realize such
improvements, the understanding of the public and the business world is
essential as well as a positive approach by parents. Thus, MEXT is seeking
to promote widely public understanding of this action plan through various
opportunities. MEXT will evaluate the state of implementation of all
measures aimed at improvement and review the action plan annually. The
cooperation of all parties will be greatly appreciated. It is hoped that
all relevant parties can understand the purpose and significance of these
changes, and further address the task of improvement positively and
voluntarily in accordance with their individual responsibilities.
March 31, 2003
Toyama Atsuko
Minister of Education,
Culture, Sports, Science and Technology
Action Plan to Cultivate “Japanese with
English Abilities”
March 31, 2003
Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports,
Science and Technology
 ．Goals to Cultivate “Japanese with English
Abilities” |
English language abilities required for all Japanese
people
【Goals】
English language abilities required for all
Japanese nationals
“On graduating from
junior high school and senior high school, graduates can communicate
in English”
| ○ |
On graduation from a junior high school, students can
conduct basic communication 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”
| ○ |
Each university should establish attainment targets from
the viewpoint of fostering personnel who can use English in
their
work. | |
With
the progress of globalization, it is important, while focusing on speaking
and listening communication abilities in the initial learning stages, to
acquire comprehensive communication abilities in “listening,” “speaking,”
“reading,” and “writing,” from the perspective of “English as a means for
communication,” in order to foster “Japanese with English Abilities.”
Through instruction, basic and practical communication abilities will be
acquired so that the entire public can conduct daily conversation and
exchange information in English. At the same time, personnel who need
English for their work, such as for professional or research reasons, will
acquire the English necessary for their fields by building on their basic
English abilities. It is important for all Japanese people to aim at
achieving a level of English commensurate with average world standards
based on objective indicators such as STEP, TOEFL, and TOEIC.
In order to foster such abilities in
school education, it is necessary to give a system of unified instruction
through each school level. Thus, attainment targets for the English
abilities required at each school level, based on the new Courses of
Study, will be established. The improvement of English classes, the
upgrading of the teaching abilities of English teachers, the enhancement
of systems for instruction, and strengthening the motivation for English
learning will be addressed. Through cooperation between the schools at
different levels, instruction to allow students to acquire steadily the
English required at each stage will be promoted.
 ．Action to Improve English
education |
１．Improvement of English classes
【Goals】
“Cultivating communication abilities through the
repetition of activities making use of English”
| ○ |
The majority of an English class will be conducted in
English and many activities where students can communicate in
English will be introduced. |
| ○ |
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. |
| ○ |
Progressive schools in terms of English education will be
formed within local
communities. | |
In order to be able to “make use of
English”, it is necessary not only to have a knowledge of grammar and
vocabulary but also the ability to use English for the purpose of actual
communication. Thus, in English classes, instruction mainly based on
grammar and translation or teacher-centered classes are not recommended.
Through the repetition of activities making use of English as a means of
communication, the learning of vocabulary and grammar should be enhanced,
and communication abilities in “listening,” “speaking,” “reading,” and
“writing” should be fostered. Such techniques for instruction are
necessary.
To carry out such instruction
effectively, it is important for teachers to establish many situations
where students can communicate with each other in English and routinely to
conduct classes principally in English. Through such opportunities,
learners can experience the fulfillment of expressing themselves and
understanding others, and feel the joy of learning English. Furthermore,
it is also important to devise creative teaching methods so that learners
can become interested in the importance and necessity of acquiring
English, which can broaden the student’s world and possibilities.
Additionally, making use of assistant
language teachers (ALTs) and the system of special part-time instructors1,
small-group teaching and the streaming of students according to
proficiency will be positively adopted. Measures such as the promotion of
innovative English education and the dissemination of excellent classroom
practices are required.
Through the
following measures, the implementation of the English classes mentioned
above will be consistently promoted through each school level. 【Promotion of new Courses of Study】
| ○ |
Realization of the aims of the new Courses of
Study | The new
Courses of Study that have been implemented since 2002 are responses to
the advance of internationalization and focus on the viewpoint that basic
practical communication abilities, which include the ability to conduct
daily conversation and the ability to exchange basic information in a
foreign language, are required of all students. As a result, foreign
language education has become a required subject at junior high school and
senior high school. At the junior high school level, the focus is on
cultivating communication abilities in “listening” and “speaking.” At the
high school level, the four skills of “listening,” “speaking,” “reading,”
and “writing” are integrated, and the improvement of content is attempted
by focusing on nurturing practical communication abilities. Deepening the
understanding of language and cultures, and a positive attitude toward
communication is also stressed in foreign language education.
In order to realize the aims of the new
Courses of Study, MEXT aims to promulgate the Courses of Study through
various meetings involving the boards of education and relevant school
personnel. This will help the improvement of educational instruction at
each school.
| ○ |
Promotion of criterion-based evaluation (so-called “absolute
evaluation”) | The
establishment of criteria-based evaluation will be further promoted
through means such as “Reference Materials for Creating Evaluation
Standards and Improving Evaluating Methods” for the junior high school
level, instruction manuals, and the progress of deliberations concerning
evaluation in foreign language education at the senior high school level.
【Promotion of innovative English
education】
| ○ |
Promotion of the Super English Language High School
Program | By
2005, a total of 100 schools will be designated as Super English Language
High Schools2.
Innovative English education will be promoted at senior high schools and
unified secondary schools. The results of the program will be
disseminated.
（Number of schools involved in the program: 16 schools
in 2002→50 schools in 2003）
| ○ |
Promotion of the system of pilot schools for research
purposes | Through the
system of pilot schools for research purposes3,
areas such as the curriculum and teaching methods for English education at
elementary schools, junior high schools, and high schools will continue to
be developed.
| ○ |
Promotion of the “Program Supporting Distinctive University
Education” | The
“Program for Supporting Distinctive University Education” will be
implemented in 2003. From various proposals, outstanding distinctive
programs will be selected to contribute to the improvement of university
education, including the improvement of English education. Such programs
will be used for the future improvement of university education.
| ○ |
Promotion of participation in special courses taught in
English | Japanese
students will be encouraged to participate in special courses taught in
English that are provided at universities for foreign
students.
【Improvement of teaching methods
and teaching materials】
| ○ |
Promotion of the plan for improving the number of
teachers | The
Plan for Improving the Number of Teachers (2001), which allows small-group
teaching of approximately 20 persons and the streaming of students
according to proficiency in subjects such as English, will be promoted so
that detailed and individualized instruction can be
realized.
Promotion of innovation in textbooks and
teaching materials
With textbooks and
teaching materials, considerations should be given to the acquisition of
language proficiency through the repetition of activities making actual
use of English taking into consideration actual language situations and
functions. Such approaches will be further promoted through conferences
that deal with appropriate materials for students in terms of their mental
and physical developmental levels, and their interests.
【Positive provision of information relating to the
improvement of English education】
| ○ |
Implementation of a status report on improvements in English
education | A
status report on improvements in English education in junior and senior
high schools will be implemented in 2003. Approaches by each school
relating to English education will be surveyed and publicized. Items on
the survey will include the situation concerning the implementation of
instruction conducted in English, small-group instruction, the streaming
of students according to proficiency, the number of class hours for
English, and examples of innovative teaching. As a result, further
approaches for the improvement of English education will be
promoted.
| ○ |
Implementation of a status report on improvements in English
education at the university
level | The
present situation concerning the establishment of attainment levels for
English education at universities will be surveyed and publicized, and
further approaches for the improvement of English education at
universities will be promoted.
【Promotion of
the sharing of excellent examples of English classroom
practices】
| ○ |
Publishing a handbook of innovative approaches relating to
English
education | At
the Curriculum Research Center of the National Institute for Educational
Policy Research, a collection of examples of innovative English
instruction will be published within 2003, which will be disseminated
through training and other means.
| ○ |
Promotion of the sharing of classroom practices for
distinctive English
classes | Through
the Information Center for Educational Resources of the National Institute
for Educational Policy Research, the sharing of research results from the
Super English Language High School program and the sharing of classroom
practices for distinctive English classes will be promoted in 2003 to
support improvements in the designing of classes.
２．Improving the teaching ability of
English teachers and upgrading the teaching system
【Goals】
| ○ |
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. | |
Cultivating
“Japanese with English Abilities” is realized through the practice of
teachers who have daily contact with children. The teaching methods of
such teachers are extremely important. A certain level of English ability
and teaching ability is required of English teachers to conduct classes
which aim to develop proficiency in terms of vocabulary and grammar
through the repetition of activities where English is used as a means of
communication and to foster communication abilities in “listening,”
“speaking,” “reading,” and “writing” through classes principally taught in
English. Thus, research to analyze concretely the English and teaching
abilities required of English teachers will be implemented (see section 7.
”Promotion of practical research.”). Additionally, specific targets will
be established in the short term regarding the measurement of the English
abilities of teachers by external proficiency examinations. Approaches for
the enhancement of the training of teachers will be promoted through the
measures outlined below in order to improve their English and teaching
abilities.
Also, a native speaker of
English provides a valuable opportunity for students to learn living
English and familiarize themselves with foreign languages and cultures. To
have one’s English understood by a native speaker, increases the students’
joy and motivation for English learning. In this way, the use of a native
speaker of English has great meaning. Similarly, to strengthen the system
of English education, cooperation from the members in the community who
are proficient in English due to having lived overseas and other reasons
is highly important. Such cooperation is also essential as children can
understand directly the necessity for English in society and how English
abilities can broaden their world. Therefore, for the enhancement of the
teaching system, the effective use of native speakers of English and the
use of people living in the local communities with advanced English
abilities will be promoted through the measures outlined
below.
【Considerations for hiring and
evaluating teachers】
| ○ |
Promotion of improvements in the hiring of
teachers | When
hiring a teacher of English, boards of education in almost all prefectures
and designated cities conduct skill tests for listening, English
conversation, and in other areas. Such selection procedures will be
further promoted. Also, with consideration given to improvements on
achievement tests and the most recent scores in proficiency examinations
like STEP, TOEFL and TOEIC, it will be necessary to confirm that teachers
have the required levels of English ability upon selection. Recruitment
with an increased focus on the evaluation of communication abilities in
English will be promoted.
| ○ |
Promotion of improvements in evaluating
teachers | As a
certain level of English is required for English teachers in addition to
the ability to teach in English as well as willingness and enthusiasm, it
will be required to consider the level of the teacher’s English ability in
the evaluation of the results of training, work assessments and by other
means.
【Promotion of intensive training for
English teachers】
| ○ |
Promotion of intensive training in a five-year
plan | Intensive
training given by the prefectural boards of education in conjunction with
training at the national level will be supported so that all English
teachers can undertake training in the five years from 2003 through 2007.
This training will aim to improve the teachers’ abilities to cultivate
students’ practical communication abilities. The level of attendance of
training will become known through the Status Report on the Improvements
in English Education mentioned previously.
【Promoting the fostering of leading teachers in local
communities】
| ○ |
Implementation of the course for Educational Leadership on
the Teaching of
English | Through
the National Center for Teachers' Development, the course
for
Educational Leadership on the Teaching of English will continue to
be implemented with the aim of teachers acquiring effective teaching
methods to cultivate students’ practical communication abilities. The aim
is to develop leading teachers who will promote English education in local
communities by, for example, becoming training instructors in the local
communities.
The scheduled number of
teachers for this course in 2003 is 1,000.
| ○ |
Enrichment of overseas training for English teachers with
advanced
abilities | Through
the National Center for Teachers' Development, overseas training to meet
various requirements will be provided for English teachers of junior and
senior high schools, who have gained advanced teaching and English
abilities through the intensive training mentioned above as well as
through other measures. By such an opportunity, the aim is to foster
English teachers with advanced English and teaching abilities, and to
improve the motivation of teachers.
The
scheduled number of teachers for overseas training in 2003:
| |
12-month duration = 15
6-month duration = 85
2-month
dispatch (new) = 200 |
| ○ |
Promotion of study at overseas graduate schools utilizing the
unpaid sabbatical system for the completion of graduate
school | Studying
on courses related to English education at overseas graduate schools will
be promoted for junior and senior high school English teachers who have
high levels of enthusiasm, English ability, and teaching ability. From
2003, by utilizing the unpaid sabbatical system4,
it will be possible for teachers to enroll at overseas graduate school
after completing steps such as the submission of information related to
the admitting graduate schools.
【Promoting
the utilization of native speakers of English】
| ○ |
Promotion of the utilization of assistant language teachers
(ALTs) | Through
making flexible the terms of employment of the JET program5
(extending the maximum period of employment from three years to five
years) and utilizing ALTs as special part-time instructors who can teach
alone in class, the effective use of ALTs will be promoted. At the same
time, the use of ALTs will be encouraged by meeting the placement requests
of local municipal bodies as flexibly as possible. Also, the situation
concerning the utilization of ALTs will be ascertained through the
previously mentioned Status Report on Improvements in English
Education.
| ○ |
Promotion of the hiring of ALTs with advanced abilities as
full-time
teachers | From
2003, by making an additional quota to the fixed number of teachers at
junior high schools, the aim is to appoint 300 people as full-time junior
high school teachers over the next three years with the future goal of
appointing 1,000 junior and senior high school teachers. Thus, the use of
native speakers of English, such as ALTs with excellent experience, will
be promoted.
【Promotion of the use of local
personnel who are proficient in English】
| ○ |
Promotion of the use of local personnel who are proficient in
English | Using
members of society who are proficient in English, English education will
be promoted through the Gakko Iki-Iki Plan6,
special licenses, and the special part-time instructor system.
3. Improving motivation for learning
English
【Goals】
| ○ |
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. | |
In
order to cultivate students’ communication abilities in English, it is
necessary to provide numerous experiences of using English as a means of
communication. However, in our country, there are few opportunities to
come into contact with English in daily life so that many children have
difficulty applying in daily life what they have learned in the classroom.
Considering these circumstances, the issue of how to increase the
children’s desire to learn is very important.
It is necessary to increase the
motivation for learning English. Making use of various opportunities,
education to deepen understanding of, and interest in, different cultures
and ways of living will be promoted. Such opportunities make the children
realize the significance and enjoyment in acquiring communication
abilities in English. In setting up many opportunities to use English
outside the class and establishing challenging targets, it is important to
employ approaches that are enjoyable for students and provide a sense of
achievement in the use of English.
The
improvement of motivation for learning English will be promoted through
the following measures.
【Promotion of
education for international understanding】
| ○ |
Realization of the aims of the new Courses of
Study | Education
for international understanding is not only applicable to English classes
but to every subject, especially the subject of social studies, the
subject of geography and history, moral education and special activities.
Such education aims at instilling a broader perspective and an
understanding of different cultures, fostering attitudes of respect for
such ideas, and the ability to live with people of different cultures.
Additionally, in the new Courses of Study, which were implemented from
2002, international understanding is one of the important learning
activities included in the cross-curricula “Period for Integrated Study.”
Therefore, through various meetings and
other activities aimed at the boards of education and relevant school
personnel, publicity and understanding regarding these aims of the new
Courses of Study will be promoted.
| ○ |
Publishing a handbook of examples of instruction relating to
education for international
understanding | Following
the example of elementary schools, a handbook of examples of instruction
concerning effective education for international understanding regarding
each relevant subject for junior and senior high schools will be issued
within 2003 and disseminated through conferences and other means.
【Expansion of opportunities for overseas
study】
| ○ |
Promotion of overseas study for high school
students | With a
goal of 10,000 high school students studying abroad annually, support will
be provided for overseas programs carried out by high school exchange and
overseas study organizations and for the provision of information about
locations for overseas study. (For 2003, support to cover part of
students’ round-trip expenses will be provided for a target number of
about 1,000 students.)
| ○ |
Promotion of overseas study for university
students | Short-term
overseas study for Japanese students utilizing such means as agreements
for international exchanges between universities will be promoted and the
provision of information relating to overseas study will be enhanced. (In
2003, the program to promote short-term overseas study is scheduled to
involve 585 persons. Scholarships will be provided.)
【Enhancement of opportunities to use English】
| ○ |
Promotion of approaches to use local personnel and
others | Utilizing
members of society who are proficient in English through the Gakko
Iki-iki Plan, and utilizing ALTs and other human resources, English
conversation lounges and speech contests centering on schools will be
promoted.
| ○ |
Promotion of longer-term experiential activities for foreign
languages | A
model program will be implemented aimed at fifth and sixth-year grade
students to foster children responsive to internationalization and to
nurture communication abilities in foreign languages through living
together with native speakers of English in longer-term experiential
activities such as summer camps.
| ○ |
Publishing a handbook of examples of distinctive
approaches | In
the handbook of innovative approaches relating to English education
mentioned previously, distinctive approaches for opportunities to use
English outside class such as English conversation lounges, summer camps,
exchanges with foreign students or children living overseas, and the
positive use of English broadcasts will be included and publicized.
Additionally, the situation concerning
out-of-class English activities will be ascertained through the Status
Report on Improvements in English Education mentioned
previously.
【Promotion of international
exchange】
| ○ |
Promotion of activities to provide information to pursue
international
exchange | As
part of the program to provide information relating to overseas education
for high school students described above, activities to provide
information to promote the affiliation of sister schools and exchange
activities among schools will be encouraged.
| ○ |
Promotion of the creation of homepages to introduce schools
in English | The
creation of English homepages for each school will be encouraged and
introduced via the system provided by the National Information Center for
Educational Resources. This will enhance the ability to transmit
information in English, serve as motivation for English learning and
promote international exchange utilizing information technologies.
４．Improvement in the evaluation system
for selecting school and university applicants
【Goals】
| ○ |
Communication abilities, including listening and speaking,
will be appropriately evaluated. |
| ○ |
Utilization of listening tests or external proficiency
examinations will be encouraged for entrance examinations of
universities and high
schools. | |
For
the purpose of fostering communication abilities in English, an
appropriate evaluation of communication abilities must be conducted. In
particular, given that in our country there are few opportunities to come
into contact with English on a daily basis, achievement and entrance
examinations tend to serve as final goals. Thus, without doubt, the
methods for selecting applicants have a major influence regarding the
improvement of teaching methods, motivation, and desire for learning.
Therefore, through the following
measures, improvements relating to evaluation methods, question methods,
examination contents, and other factors will be promoted.
【Improvement in the selection of applicants】
| ○ |
Introduction of a listening test in the University Center
Examination（targeted for implementation from
2006） | As a
result of consultations among the relevant parties of universities and
high schools, the outline for the implementation of a listening test in
the University Center Examination will be publicized within May 2003. The
arrangements for each university’s system will also be reviewed in
accordance with this measure.
| ○ |
Promotion of improvements in the selection of applicants at
each
university | Based
on the attainment targets for English ability that are established by each
university, the English abilities required for applicants will be
clarified. In particular, from a perspective of emphasizing communication
abilities, selection methods that appropriately evaluate communication
abilities will be promoted in the approach of each university through the
use of such means as listening tests.
| ○ |
Promotion of improvements in the selection of applicants at
high
schools | Considering
that learning at junior high schools focuses on speaking and listening
communication abilities, improving question methods to focus more on
communication abilities will be promoted, such as the adoption of oral
interview tests in English, in addition to the listening tests already
given by all prefectures.
| ○ |
Promotion of the use of results of external proficiency
examinations in the entrance examinations of universities and high
schools | Consideration
will be given to the content and levels of various external proficiency
examinations and the actual conditions of the applicants regarding the
selection of students at universities and high schools. Based on the
results of research relating to English education mentioned in section 7.,
the further use of STEP, TOEFL, TOEIC, University of Cambridge ESOL
examinations, and other measures will be promoted through various meetings
and conferences.
【Considerations for the employment examinations
of companies】
Companies and
other organizations will be asked to attach importance to the possession
of English abilities suitable for work purposes. MEXT will give special
consideration to the possession of English abilities when hiring staff.
５．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. | |
At
elementary schools, based on the new Courses of Study implemented in 2002,
foreign language conversation can be performed as part of education for
international understanding during the newly established “Period for
Integrated Study.” In 2002 when the new Courses of Study were fully
implemented, English conversation activities were carried out at
approximately 50% of all public elementary schools.
In English conversation activities
during the “Period for Integrated Study,” the simple introduction of
junior high school English education at an earlier stage as well as
teacher-centered methods for cramming knowledge should be avoided. It is
important that experiential learning activities that are suitable for
elementary school students are carried out, and that the motivation and
attitude for children to communicate positively is fostered by providing
children with exposure to foreign language conversation in an enjoyable
manner, and by familiarizing them with foreign cultures and ways of
living. Through the measures outlined below, the smooth implementation of
such approaches will be promoted.
In the
implementation of such activities, it is important for children to come
into contact with different languages and cultures, to be interested in
them, and to have experiential activities involving speaking and
listening. Thus, for English activities at the elementary school, the aim
is to have one third of all sessions taught by personnel such as native
speakers of English and English teachers at junior high schools. Necessary
support will be given through the measures outlined below.
【Improvement in teaching methods】
| ○ |
Publishing a handbook to promote activities for English
conversation at elementary
schools | A
handbook relating to instruction for English conversation activities at
the elementary school level will be published. This handbook will include
topics such as effective teaching methods, considerations for classroom
practice and ways of teaching taking into account English education at
junior high schools.
| ○ |
Implementation of a status report on the situation of
activities for English
conversation | The
situation and content of English conversation activities at elementary
schools will be surveyed and publicized through the Status Report on
Improvements in English Education mentioned previously. This will
contribute to further approaches for improvement.
| ○ |
Promotion of the system of pilot schools for research
purposes | Under
the system of pilot schools for research purposes, teaching methods
relating to English education at elementary schools will continue to be
developed.
【Enhancement of teaching
abilities and the teaching system】
| ○ |
Enhancement of training for teachers in charge of English
conversation
activities | Through
the National Center for Teacher's Development, the training of teachers
who will become leaders for teachers responsible for English conversation
activities will be implemented on an intensive basis. (The scheduled
number of teachers taking part in this training in 2003 is 600.)
| ○ |
Promotion of the placement of ALTs with excellent
experience | Through
the JET program and systems such as the special part-time instructor
system, the placement of ALTs in elementary schools with the experiences
of teaching at junior and senior high schools will be promoted.
| ○ |
Promotion of the use of local personnel who are proficient in
English | Through
the Gakko Iki-iki Plan and other resources such as special
part-time instructors, members of society who are proficient in English
through overseas experiences, and foreign students will be
promoted.
| ○ |
Promotion of the participation by junior high and senior high
school teachers in English conversation activities at elementary
schools | Due to
the Amendment of the Educational Personnel Certification Law in May 2002,
personnel who have a teacher’s license for junior or senior high schools
can be placed in charge of subjects and the Period for Integrated Study at
the elementary school level, which are the responsibility of elementary
school teachers. From the viewpoint of promoting links between elementary
schools and junior high schools, as well as supporting English
conversation activities at elementary schools, the use of junior and
senior high school teachers for English conversation activities at
elementary schools will be promoted.
【Research relating to methods of English education at
elementary schools】
| ○ |
Research and development of the
curriculum | Under
the system of pilot schools for research purposes, the curriculum relating
to English education at elementary schools will continue to be
developed.
| ○ |
Ascertaining and analyzing the actual conditions of
activities for English conversation at elementary
schools | Detailed
surveys and analyses regarding the state of implementation of English
conversation activities will be performed within 2003.
| ○ |
Research relating to future methods of English education at
elementary
schools | A
research committee will be established in 2003 with the aim of completing
by 2005, an analysis of the results and issues of: the practical research
conducted at pilot schools; research relating to the characteristics of
language acquisition for children; and the collection and analysis of
examples from foreign countries. Necessary research on English education
at elementary schools will be carried out for the Central Education
Council and its future deliberations related to the improvement of
curriculum standards.
６．Improvement of Japanese language
abilities
【Goals】
| ○ |
In order to cultivate communication abilities in English,
the ability to express appropriately and understand accurately
the Japanese language, which is the basis of all intellectual
activities, will be
fostered. | |
The
acquisition of English is greatly related to students’ abilities in their
mother tongue, Japanese. It is necessary to foster in students the ability
to express appropriately and understand accurately the Japanese language
and to enhance communication abilities in Japanese in order to cultivate
communication abilities in English.
Also, in order to foster Japanese people
rich in humanity with an awareness of society, who will live as members of
an international society, it is important to enhance students’ thinking
ability, foster students’ strength of expression and sense of language,
deepen their interest in the Japanese language, and nurture an attitude of
respect for the Japanese language.
Thus,
the following measures to improve students’ Japanese language abilities
will be promoted.
| ○ |
Realization of the aims of the new Courses of
Study | Regarding
the Japanese language education in the new Courses of Study implemented
from 2002, the improvement of content has been achieved, of course, by
emphasizing strongly literacy. In addition, emphasis has been placed on
nurturing the ability to express appropriately and understand accurately
the Japanese language in accordance with the purpose and situation for
communication, and the person with whom one is speaking. The enhancement
of verbal “communication ability” while respecting other people’s points
of view and ways of thinking has been stressed.
In order to realize the principles of
the new Courses of Study, the contents will be promulgated through various
meetings and conferences for boards of education and relevant school
personnel, contributing to the improvement of instruction at each
school.
| ○ |
Implementation of model programs to improve Japanese language
studies | Linking
with the home and community, advanced schools to improve Japanese language
studies for children will be established, model areas to address practical
research will be designated, and comprehensive approaches to improve
Japanese language studies will be promoted.
| ○ |
Review of the “Japanese Language Abilities Required for the
Future Age” | At
the behest of the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and
Technology in February, 2002, a report was issued “Concerning the Japanese
Language Abilities Required for the Future Age.” The contents were
reviewed at the sectional meetings of an advisory body concerning Japanese
language education and a summary of their deliberations was released in
January 2003.
Based on opinions from
various sectors of the public, deliberations on Japanese language
education will continue and recommended guidelines will be
formulated.
| ○ |
Promotion of reading activities for
children | Through
the promotion of activities such as “morning reading,” the fostering of a
familiar attitude toward reading and the acquisition of good reading
habits will be promoted.
| ○ |
Raising awareness of
language | “A
program to experience thinking about ‘language’” will be implemented in an
integrated manner in the home and community. This program will offer an
opportunity to think about such aspects as appropriate word usage and
verbal expressions appropriate to the situation and the person one talks
to as well as seeking to raise the awareness of language.
| ○ |
Implementation of training to improve the teaching of the
Japanese
language | Training
regarding teaching methods and improvement in the teaching skills of
teachers will be implemented. Training will target teachers at elementary
schools, junior high schools, and senior high schools (including teachers
in charge of subjects other than the Japanese language), as well as
teaching consultants for Japanese language education.
７．Promotion of practical
research
【Goals】
| ○ |
Practical research relating to English education at junior
high schools, high schools, and universities will be
comprehensively implemented for promoting approaches to
improve English education. (A report will be issued in the
autumn of 2003 including initial
conclusions.) | |
| ○ |
Research relating to levels of English ability required at
the junior high and senior high school
levels | Using
the Courses of Study as a base, the levels of English ability required at
junior high and senior high school levels will be detailed. Also, through
surveys on the actual situation of English teaching, areas that require
improvement in teaching methods will be concretely researched.
Additionally, the measurement of English
abilities by external proficiency examinations such as STEP, TOEFL, and
TOEIC, will be analyzed. The relationship between such levels and required
English abilities will be clarified, and policies to use such examinations
for the purpose of entrance examinations will be researched.
| ○ |
Research relating to English education at junior high and
senior high schools, and training programs for
teachers | From
the viewpoint of reviewing effective teaching methods to cultivate
practical communication abilities in English, research and basic data
relating to English education inside and outside Japan will be collected.
Based on these results, a model program
will be created for the previously mentioned intensive training program
aiming at improving teaching abilities to cultivate students’ practical
communication abilities in English.
| ○ |
Research regarding the target goals for the English ability
required by English
teachers | Research
targeting English teachers will be implemented, analyzing the nature of
English and teaching abilities required for English teachers. Considering
the characteristics of proficiency examinations such as STEP, TOEFL,
TOEIC, the relation between the English abilities required for English
teachers and external proficiency examinations will be researched, as well
as the appropriateness of the scores of each examination with regard to
entrance examinations.
The possibility
of measuring teachers’ abilities to foster practical communication
abilities in English will also be reviewed through the research relating
to effective teaching methods mentioned previously,.
| ○ |
Research relating to English education at
universities | Considering
various methods, examples of concrete models will be formulated from the
perspective of nurturing personnel “who can use English in their work
after graduating from universities.” Such models will deal with
improvements to the contents of subjects, the structuring of a system for
cooperation between universities, ways of training teachers, and other
matters.
| ○ |
Research relating to approaches to English education in other
countries | Concentrating
mainly on Asian countries, reports on the state of English education in
other countries concerning teaching methods, teaching materials,
techniques for evaluation, and approaches to teacher training in different
countries will be gathered.
1 A
system that allows members of society or local citizens without a
teacher’s license who have superior knowledge and skills to be in charge
of part of or all of a subject at an elementary school, junior high
school, or senior high school as a part-time instructor by giving
notification to the prefectural board of education.
2 A
school where practical research is conducted in areas such as: the
development of a curriculum focusing on English education; education where
part of a subject is taught in English; or effective policies and measures
for linking with universities and sister schools overseas.
3 Pilot
schools are for researching issues related to classroom practice, new
curricula and teaching methods responding to various demands of school
education. For this purpose, boards of education in cities, towns, and
villages voluntarily establish a system for the formulation and
implementation of educational guidelines not based on the courses of
study.
4 A
system that enables the teachers at national and public schools to take a
sabbatical to attend domestic or overseas graduate schools and undergo
training for a period not exceeding three years on a one-year basis after
receiving permission from their employers.
5 A
program promoted by local government bodies in cooperation with the
Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, the
Ministry of Public Management, Home Affairs, Posts and Telecommunications,
and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The purpose of this program is to
enhance mutual understanding between our country and other countries, and
to contribute to the promotion of internationalization in our country
through promoting international exchange at the local level, as well as
strengthening foreign language education in our country.
6 A
concept for using members of society with various types of knowledge and
work experience as assistant teachers, etc. at schools nationwide. The
targeted number for this plan is about 50,000 persons over three years
ending in 2004. (This plan makes use of the Special Part-time Instructor
System and the Special Subsidy for Urgent Local Employment
Creation.)
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