小学校の英語 楽しく学べる環境を整えたい

The Yomiuri Shimbun May 30, 2013
Create enjoyable environment for primary schoolers to learn English
小学校の英語　楽しく学べる環境を整えたい（5月29日付・読売社説）

If Japan wants to hone its competitive edge overseas, it is essential to foster broad-minded human resources with superb foreign language skills. To do so, the government should improve the nation’s educational environment.
　日本の国際競争力を高める上で、豊かな語学力と幅広い視野を備えた人材が求められている。政府は教育環境の整備を進めるべきだ。

The Education Rebuilding Implementation Council, an expert panel under Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, has compiled a set of proposals that emphasize the necessity of expanding and improving the nation’s English education at all levels, from primary school to university, to foster individuals who can compete globally.
　安倍首相直属の教育再生実行会議が、海外で活躍できる人材の育成に向け、小学校から大学に至るまで、英語教育の拡充が必要だとする提言をまとめた。

One noteworthy proposal suggests that the government consider making English a regular subject at primary schools.
　注目したいのは、小学校で教える英語を正式な教科とするよう検討を促した点だ。

Since the 2011 academic year, “foreign language activity” has become a required course at primary schools. Now, fifth- and sixth-graders take English classes once a week.
　小学校では２０１１年度から「外国語活動」が必修となり、５、６年生が週１回、英語を学んでいる。

The course is aimed at familiarizing students with the language and places emphasis on nurturing basic conversation and listening skills. Unlike middle school English classes, students do not study grammar.
英語に親しみ、慣れるのが目的で、中学校のような文法の指導はしない。初歩的な会話やヒアリングに重点を置いている。

Hurdles remain

As it is not a regular subject, no textbooks are used. While homeroom teachers are charged with leading foreign language activities, most did not receive sufficient instruction on how to teach English during college-level teacher training courses. As a result, many are concerned about their ability to instruct pupils.
　正式な教科ではないため、教科書は用いない。教員養成課程で英語の指導法を十分学んでいない学級担任が教えることから、指導力に不安を抱える教師も多い。

We duly understand the aims of upgrading the course into a regular subject, making an English textbook available at primary schools and improving the quality of classes.
　教科へ格上げすることで、教科書を作り、授業の質向上につなげようという狙いは理解できる。

However, many hurdles remain.
　ただ、課題は多い。

If English is made into a regular subject, student performance must be graded. But is it fitting to give exams in a class that is aimed at familiarizing students with English? If grammar lessons are required, it may cause some students to dislike the subject from the primary school level.
　正式な教科にすると、成績評価を行うことになる。その際、英語に親しむための授業で、テストによる評価はなじむだろうか。文法学習まで加わるようになれば、小学校の段階から英語嫌いになる子が出てくるかもしれない。

Enhancing the English skills of primary school teachers cannot be accomplished overnight. In addition to improved teacher training, it is necessary to establish a system in which classes are taught by teachers who specialize in English, or native English-speaking assistant language teachers work together with Japanese teachers.
　小学校教師の語学力を高めるのも一朝一夕にはいくまい。研修の充実はもちろん、英語を専門とする専任教師が教えたり、外国人指導助手とチームで指導したりする体制を整えることが大切だ。

In other parts of Asia, such as China, South Korea and Taiwan, students begin learning English when they become third-grade primary school students. Some experts assert that early English education is key to helping students master the language.
　他のアジアの国・地域を見ると、中国や韓国、台湾では、小学３年から英語を教えている。早い時期から学習を始めた方が身に着くと主張する専門家もいる。

On the other hand, many people insist that Japanese, the nation’s mother tongue, should be prioritized over learning English. Whether the government should promote an earlier start to English lessons is likely to become a point of contention in the future.
　一方、母国語である日本語の習得を優先すべきだとの意見も根強い。実施学年を引き下げるかどうかは今後の争点となろう。

Universities lagging

The panel’s proposals also refer to university education, saying “their lagging globalization has reached a critical state.”
　提言は、大学教育にも言及し、「グローバル化の遅れは危機的状況にある」との認識を示した。

The number of Japanese studying overseas is on the decline. There are also fewer foreign students studying in Japan than in the United States and European nations. It is crucial, among other things, to increase the number of courses taught in English to train Japanese students and attract foreigners.
　日本人の海外留学生は減少傾向にあり、日本で学ぶ外国人留学生も欧米諸国に比べて少ない。英語を使った講義を増やすなど、日本人学生を鍛え、外国人留学生を呼び込む取り組みが欠かせない。

The panel also suggested TOEFL, a test that gauges the English proficiency of nonnative speakers, and other outside tests be used for university admission and graduation. We believe this idea merits consideration on the basis of prodding students to acquire practical language skills.
　提言は、英語を母国語としない人の英語力を測る「ＴＯＥＦＬ」などの外部検定試験を、大学入試や卒業認定の判断材料に活用することも打ち出した。実践的な語学力の習得を促す観点から、検討に値するのではないか。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, May 29, 2013)
（2013年5月29日02時07分  読売新聞）