Feb 16

Japanese primary school teachers unhappy with new English teaching role?

Japan Trends, Language Study Comments Off on Japanese primary school teachers unhappy with new English teaching role?

Thanks to JET alum Conrad Chafee for sharing this article from the Daily Yomiuri (2/16/11):

“60% of Schoolteachers Irked by English Classes”

“More than 60 percent of primary school teachers feel teaching English is a burden, according to a survey that also suggests many educators are ill-prepared for the April start of English as a compulsory subject for fifth- and sixth-graders. Benesse Corp., a correspondence education and publishing company, surveyed head teachers in charge of school administration and fifth- and sixth-grade homeroom teachers from 8,000 public primary schools in July and August. About 4,700 teachers gave valid responses.
According to the survey, 62.1 percent of homeroom teachers, who teach all or most of the subjects at primary schools, said they felt teaching English was a burden. About 72.9 percent said they believe it would be better to have teachers who specialize in teaching English to instruct students.”

See the full article at: http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/national/T110215005684.htm