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English in Elementary School

English in Elementary School. ALT Skill Development Conference Monday, January 23 rd Martin Sedaghat. History of ES English. TOEFL score data for 2004-2005 put Japan next to last in Asia, just one point above North Korea. Is English being introduced too late?

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English in Elementary School

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  1. English in Elementary School ALT Skill Development Conference Monday, January 23rd Martin Sedaghat

  2. History of ES English • TOEFL score data for 2004-2005 put Japan next to last in Asia, just one point above North Korea. Is English being introduced too late? • Since 2002, about 97% of Japanese ES have introduced some form of English lessons, but with widely varying frequencies. • Compulsory English classes officially began in April 2011, with all 5th and 6th graders having one lesson per week (35 periods in one year).

  3. History of ES English • The Japan Business Federation (Nippon Keidanren) strongly backs ES English education, citing a lack of employees who can use English. • 70% of parents and guardians support compulsory English education. • Some academics oppose English in ES, saying that many teachers are untrained in planning and presenting lessons, and that Japanese children should spend more time studying their mother tongue.

  4. Goals of ES English

  5. Goals of ES English • Preparation for JHS English • Alphabet and phonics • Classroom English (open your books, take out a pencil, work together...) • “Thinking in English” (dog, train, baseball...) • Confidence

  6. Challenges of ES English

  7. Challenges of ES English • Pronunciation (not katakana) • 100% English vs. 100% translation • No English outside of the classroom • Shy, embarassed, or low-level students • Motivation (why should we study English?)

  8. 1. Preparation 2. Presentation 3. Mindset

  9. Preparation

  10. Tools • Flashcards (organize by theme) • Big books • Posters • Maps • Realia (authentic objects) • Puppets (for youngest classes) • Movies (holiday themes, music videos)

  11. Laminate. Everything.

  12. Curriculum 1st and 2nd year: Greetings, introductions, and themed vocabulary (animals, food, body parts...) 3rd and 4th year: Build on 1st and 2nd year English, focus on speaking and listening 5th and 6th year: Speaking, listening, reading, and writing Communication and simple grammar structures Students use English to talk about themselves and their world

  13. Lesson Planning • Circle Time • Review • New language/vocabulary • Short activity • Check understanding • Main activity

  14. English Room • Physically sets English apart from normal, daily classes • Chairs and desks can be set up for different games/activities • Space for theme/culture displays • Use as discipline (if students misbehave, return to homeroom)

  15. English Room Themes

  16. Presentation

  17. Circle Time • Begin every class with the same rhythm and repetition, adding to the “circle” throughout the year. • Greeting, weather, day, month, how are you?, alphabet, numbers, chants, song, book... • Useful as warm-up and English “switch on”, as well as review • 5-10 minutes

  18. Songs and Chants • Background music to set atmosphere • Match music to class attitude • Music to signal transitions/activities • Music to introduce (and review) language points • TPR music (connect listening, singing, and movement) • Repeat multiple times

  19. English Speeches • Students have a chance to use English to describe themselves and their world • Help building confidence before entering Junior High School • Students practice vital non-verbal parts of communication (eye contact, posture, body language/gestures) • Connect to JHS and HS speech contests

  20. Phonics • Part of Circle Time? • Start with individual letter sounds (A is for apple), then vowel sounds (hat, hit, hot), and move into 3 and 4 letter words • Gradually merge into easy sight reading • Spelling Bee!

  21. Mindset

  22. Homeroom Teacher • Discipline (not ALT’s job) • Join students (learn games and activities) • Help slow learners • Communication with ALT (easy conversation, information about school events) • Students should see their HRTs using English

  23. Points to Think About • English instructions and praise • Name cards • Pair vs. group work • Competitive games Students vs. themselves (bingo) Students vs. each other (quiz game)

  24. Multiple Intelligences • Use different kinds of lessons and activities to appeal to different kinds of learning Arts (drawing and crafts) Music (singing and dancing) Drama (skits) Sports Puzzles and memorization

  25. Play to your own strengths! • Use your own interests, hobbies, background, and experiences in your teaching • If a lesson is interesting for you, it will be interesting for your students

  26. Thank you and good luck! martin.sedaghat@gmail.com

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