Do kids in Japan have to learn english as a second laguage in school?or do they have a choice?

Question

I'm intrested in Japan.

Answer 1

English is a required course in Japanese Junior High School. Many Board's of Education request native speakers of English to come and help teach English in their district.

I taught children from Kindergarten through grade nine. Generally, in the elementary schools, children would learn basic greeting, such as "hello, how are you" and "nice to meet you" as well as colors, names of food, animals, etc.

I believe that in many high schools, students have a choice about whether or not they continue to learn English. I remember always feeling disappointed when my brightest students didn't continue with English!

Answer 2

Usually English is considered a regular class taken by kids inJr. High and highschool. Though lately I think some grade school kids have English class as well depending on the school.

The highschool I went to which is in Chiba Pref. was a school that concentrated on English and (funny enough) French.
I don't know why because French is not the easiest nor the most useful but I had to take a French class and an English class everyday.

As Yozora mentioned, even though Japan is improving they still have instances such as the one she brought up with her child.
I was raised in the States so spoke/read/wrote fluently but for some reason I was placed in a class with all the other kids who had never been to an English speaking country, let alone had a conversation with an 100% native english speaker.
I spoke better english than the teacher and had to correct her in a number of occasion.

So they are trying to bring the level of english to a higher standard but not making too many changes to what they have now. Same with college.

Answer 3

As far as I know they don't have a choice. Certainly in elementary school - although I'm not sure what grade it starts, because my daughter joined her school half-way through the first grade, but she's been getting them spasmodically since the second grade. It's not all the time though, a few weeks of one or two English classes a week, once or twice a year depending on the local education department. That's spoken English, as well as basic grammar - although when her class teacher has to take the class because the English teacher's ill, he can't spell English properly, and his grammar's way off the scale of awfulness!!
; )

My daughter is English by the way, and it seems rather odd that they lump her in with all the Japanese kids for an English language class held by someone from God-knows WHERE!

English is NOT an official second language though, despite the fact that these days the education department is trying to improve the nation's English ability! BTW, kanji is taught at schools from the word go - even kindergarteners will be taught some, plus they'll absorb a few from everyday routines with their parents.

Answer 4

One has to learn English so that the person can go freely any where in the world. It is the International language spoken almost everywhere in the world. It acts as an umbrella to safeguard one's interests. A decade ago to learn English, you had to attend costly English classes or purchase course material like tapes and books. Now you can learn English for free from the comfort of your home using the Internet. The BBC and the British Council offer a number of on line courses, which teach written and spoken English. You can also improve your English by watching television programs and reading English newspapers. For more information, visit http://tinyurl.com/qnzpt

Answer 5

Its English from grade 7 when they go to Junior High School.

They leran Kanji (Realy REALY hard Ancient Japanese) and English from JH School.

If they went to a better school, they may have the option of Korean, Chineese, Italian or French. Some schools do Spanish as well.

Of course, its generaly english as Japan's 2nd language is english not like Australia where we have one language. The same with England and the USA

Answer 6

Well; they have no choice about being taught English, whether they learn anything or not in English class is a different story.

Answer 7

I agree with michinoku2001 100%.

They are taught, but most do not learn.

P.S. English as a Foreign Language (EFL)
English as a Second Language (ESL)

Answer 8

learning the English language is required in schools...but it doesn't really matter if you're good in English or not...look, the Japanese people don't know too much about English, but were able to give progress to the country...

Answer 9

yes