2008年1月22日火曜日

Homework # 12 Do you agree with the writer??

After listening to today’s presentations and reading what the new Minister of Education in the newspapers. Please read the opinion in the December 6th International Herald Tribune. http://www.iht.com/articles/2006/12/06/opinion/edkumiko.php

Do you agree with the writer? Why? Give at least 3 examples to support your answer.

I am not so sure, mabey I misunderstand the article, but I agree with the writer, becuase our English skills are behind in Asia. And also, Japanses government started 'Yutori' education (education free from stress), but it made so bad result. Japanses mark was worse in nation-wide examination. What is educaiton free from stress?? why did the government make the system? I don't understand, becasue entrance exam is still stressful to children, but school hour is decreased, so I think it is kinds of contradiction in the education system.

However, I think Japan should start teaching children English in elementary school. but I know a lack of teachers, teaching skills, and so on. However, English education is behind in Asia. When I went to England, I met many Chinese people who are teacher in China. They are not only English teacher but also math, computer, social studies and so on. And they study English in England for a month by goverment's money. Some of them speak very fluent English, the other of them speak low level, but they keep studying English. I know it is hard for Japanese goverment to do like Chinese goverment, but goverment have very different idea to English Education, I think.

In addition, in Korea, many parents want their childen to speak English, so they try to study abroad or immigrate to America when their children are elementary school students. Can you image when you are elementary school student you want to study abroad??? Almost all 80% of students who are at elementary, junior high, and high schools take private lessons to study English in Korea. Each of rate is elementary school student is 84.6%, junior high school student is 88.4%, and high school student is 64.9%. It is rate of 32.6% that their parents immigrate to education. Wow!!


However, I'm afraid to start early education of another language, not just English, because many students avoid Kanji and reading difficult books like Oogai Mori, Souseki Natsume, and so on. There are many difficult Kanji in those books, so some student can't read those Kanji. Inculding me, we should not only English but also Japanese too, don't you think?

2 件のコメント:

shannon さんのコメント...

Hi, sunny-side up egg;)
I didn't know that Chinese goverment give money for teacher to study english.
If Japanese goverment like that, a lot of Japanese teachers might get high english skill.

sunny さんのコメント...

Hi, shannon. thank you for leaving message. Yeh, Japanese goverment should do like china without economic problem.