Japan seeks ways to help students become proficient in English.

Millions of 15-year-old students in Japan are unable to speak a complete English sentence, a reality observed two years after the Japanese government implemented new guidelines aimed at helping students develop basic English speaking skills during their middle school years.

According to the South China Morning Post , more than 60% of Japan's 1.9 million students failed a recent English speaking skills test.

In nationwide English tests conducted in April, only 12.4% of 15-year-old students were able to answer five questions correctly in the speaking section. Various criticisms have been leveled against this disappointing result, including suggestions that the tests were too difficult or that teachers are struggling to teach students how to express themselves in a foreign language.

Illustrative image. Source: aijinpot.com.

Perhaps English is only taught to prepare for university entrance exams, and there are very few opportunities for people to speak the language in Japan… Such low scores may be due to the impact of the pandemic, when most students had to study online, significantly reducing in-person language classes. An official from the National Institute for Educational Policy Research argued that the way the tests were conducted was “too complicated,” including the format of listening to videos and then expressing opinions, which differed from previous tests.

An article in the Yomiuri newspaper called on the government to implement effective teaching methods that help students acquire practical English skills, including providing them with more opportunities to speak the language. One of the changes under the new guidelines is that Japanese students must now know 1,800 English words by age 15 instead of 1,200 and be able to understand social issues and express their opinions on them in English.

To serve this goal, schools are encouraged to employ native English speakers as teaching assistants. The government will pay for the hiring of native English-speaking teachers and encourage the recruitment of individuals from various countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, and Malaysia.

Source: https://www.qdnd.vn/quoc-te/doi-song/nhat-ban-tim-cach-giup-hoc-sinh-noi-gioi-tieng-anh-737679

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