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[fluffyhamster]

Anyone else read Mike Guest's article in today's Daily Yomiuri? ('Primary school English - what's the purpose?'). He's not convinced of the point of English at this level, and I pretty much agree with all he said.

I searched for an online version, but no luck.

[Glenski]

Since the article is not available and you really haven't said anything substantive, how are we supposed to respond, Fluffy? Paraphrase.

[JonnyB61]

So, what's your question?

[furiousmilksheikali]

[fluffyhamster]

What's my question? Why two tightwads who obviously haven't got hold of a copy of the paper today are so itching to find out about it that they're prodding me with Stimpy's-friend-Ren-like fingers. (For language teachers, you should know how to phrase requests more politely, no? ). But very briefly (and from only having read the article once through quickly, hours ago) Guest seemed to be saying that seeing as kids below 12 or so have 'exchanges' rather than full-on conversations, it's maybe ultimately pointless trying to teach them anything remotely ambitious (not that the activities that are dusted off for most kids are that ambitious or likely to be effective in themselves - which undercuts Guest somewhat, because few are really teaching conversation anyway, and certainly not to this age-group; I'd also query why Guest doesn't suggest that we don't then try teaching kids the sort of exchanges he alludes to as a form of "conversation" they might better relate to and thus grasp more easily). He's in favour rather of improving reading skills (something that non-native teachers will feel they might actually be able to help with), as an aid to wider reading and acquisition, and of acquisition processes generally (he even calls English (~ as taught at present) a distraction from mastering kanji). He finishes by mentioning Albanian kids who apparently learnt a fair bit of Italian just from being around TVs that could pick up the broadcasts from outside the closed-off country back then).

I'll perhaps type up the article if it doesn't appear online soon, and hone my own response to it.

Hi Furious, I was aware that Guest had come in for some criticism (which writer doesn't)...it'll be interesting to hear what your specific objections are. I don't think he patronizes the reader too much or too often, but then again, I could well be one of those cretins you mention.

By the way, I'm assuming that those who respond actually have some experience of teaching in elementary schools here.

[JonnyB61]

[fluffyhamster]

[gaijinalways]

Guest is annoying at times, but he sometimes says things that I agree with. What is annoying is that certain people command columns about language when sometimes they don't research well what they want to talk about.

Guest admits he doesn't teach kids (maybe never has), so he early on somewhat disqualifies himself as an experienced expert ( I assume he is trying to pass himself off as a theoretical one). His point is an interesting one, though kids do learn language passively at young ages, though it depends on the age as he wasn't very specific in the article.

I have had kids as young as 3-4 readily picking up what I say in the classroom. One other problem would be if the kids can read, and how well qualified Japanese teachers would be to teach English language reading in elementary school.

[Glenski]