Pre-reading questions:
- Are you aware of Japan’s current English curriculum? Share your thoughts on this.
- Do you think that changing the curriculum will make the students more competitive? Explain.
English studies for the incoming 5th and 6th grade students in Japan would be increased by the year 2020. The proposal suggested that English studies should start as early as 3rd grade instead of 5th grade.
The new proposal aims to reduce the “cram” study habits of the students. There are also additional revisions with general subjects like: Japanese history with world history called General History. The new curriculum will focus on active learning specifically on student’s thinking and communication skills to raise Japan’s literacy in English. However, the proposal is still up for discussion. After the approval from the government officials and the Japanese people, the new curriculum will take effect in 2020 for primary schools, 2021 for middle schools and 2022 for high schools.
Vocabulary:
student – a person who is studying in a university
proposal – suggestion
implement – execute, apply
improvement – enhancements
revisions – changes
Comprehension Questions:
- When is the target date of the implementation of the changes in curriculum?
- What is the primary aim of the changes in curriculum?
- What are the revisions made in the curriculum?
Express Your Opinion:
- English studies should start as early as 3rd grade and not in 5th grade.
- The new curriculum should focus on active learning, more specifically, on the students’ thinking and communication skills.
- The development of the new curriculum aspire to raise the country’s literacy in English and to make sure that newly graduate Japanese are globally competitive.