A Study to Investigate How Much English Japanese Children Can Learn in their English Education in a Japanese School--Evaluation using a Global Standard

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Studies were conducted to investigate how much English Japanese children can learn in their English education in a Japanese elementary school and after they graduate from elementary school. The University of Cambridge ESOL examinations, a global standard, were used for evaluation. Results of the Cambridge examinations showed the following : 1. Japanese elementary school children can achieve Pre A1 of the CEFR ; 2. Secondary and tertiary school students' achievements were from A1 to B1 of the CEFR, which indicated there was a gap between high and low achievers that would grow bigger over time ; 3. Most skills were labeled as "weak," but writing was the weakest. "Practical English" in the global setting requires appropriate vocabulary, grammar, and coherence in writing/speaking, on which Japanese education needs to put focus. At the same time, the research indicated that the results were affected by factors like language for daily use and national language policies. To improve the English ability of the people in Japan, where English is a foreign language, the government needs to establish a national educational system at the elementary school level with a long term and global point of view, as well as re-examine the goals and aims of its English education.