English in Elementary School

ALT Skill Development ConferenceMonday, January 23rd

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?

• 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).

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.

Goals of ES English

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

Challenges of ES English

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?)

1. Preparation

2. Presentation

3. Mindset

Preparation

Tools

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

videos)

Laminate. Everything.

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 writingCommunication and simple grammar structuresStudents use English to talk about themselves and their world

Lesson Planning

• Circle Time• Review• New language/vocabulary• Short activity• Check understanding• Main activity

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)

English Room Themes

AlphabetNumbersFeelingsDays and monthsColors and shapesAnimalsDirectionsPhonics (easy words)

Body partsClothesFood and drinkAdjectivesCountriesJobsClassroom itemsPolite English

Presentation

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

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

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

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!

Mindset

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

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)

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)SportsPuzzles and memorization

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

Thank you and good luck!

martin.sedaghat@gmail.com