Author Topic: How low can Japan go? (Read 1926 times)

Foxy Brown · « **on:** February 17, 2006, 06:32:25 PM »

A multimillion-dollar boom in preschool English tuition is exposing a rift between parents and state educators wary about adding more English to the primary curriculum, reports Justin McCurry

JFC · « **Reply #1 on:** February 17, 2006, 10:57:22 PM »

Doesn't seem like that bad of an idea to me. After all, it's a pretty well known fact that languages are often easier to learn when a student is younger. I started studying French in school when I was around 6 or 7, and while I wouldn't say I'm fluent, I can speak it fairly well and carry on a half-decent conversation. Now, I'm seeing students who are in their mid-teens who are studying french, and some of them can't even count to 50, or ask for permission to go to the bathroom, or even say their own name in French.

I'd say the Japanese introducing thier kids to English early on is a good thing, but not necessarily preschool. Make it elementary school instead. If they wait until the kids are in 12, as the article says, by that time the kids' just won't have the ability to absorb it all as easily as they would have if they had started younger.

ytl · « **Reply #2 on:** February 18, 2006, 03:01:04 AM »

I was 2 not only yet 3 yr old when I went to Kindagarten and start learning ABC..... and my English still sucks......

If they won't have enough opportunities to practise English in their daily life, start learning as early as possible is not a bad solution.

Mr.T · « **Reply #3 on:** February 25, 2006, 10:23:48 PM »

I started learning german in 7th grade (that's easier than japanese) and now, 5 years I can hardly have a discussion in german :evil: The best way to learn a language is to get used to it (reading, watching tv shows etc.). To just learn a laungage just in a theoretical way is hard I think.

Tsuto_Metal · « **Reply #4 on:** February 26, 2006, 04:36:02 AM »

jajajajajaja

yurinachan · « **Reply #5 on:** February 26, 2006, 11:42:04 PM »

Learning English in Japanese school is good if the kids get to use it in an environment that speaks English. I doubt most Japanese can speak English that well if they just learn it in Japan and never use it outside of class.

The best way to learn a foreign language is to go and study abroad when they are forced to use it in everyday situations.