While English has been the primary foreign language to learn in junior high schools and high schools in Japan, it was introduced to elementary schools as an "optional activity" in 2002. According to the Japanese Ministry of Education, "MEXT," about 97.1 percent of elementary schools throughout Japan engaged in some kind of "English activity" with an average of 15.9 hours per year (for 6th graders) in 2007. Although these figures may indicate an increase in interest in teaching English at elementary school level, additional data suggest serious concerns among elementary school teachers. One of the main sources of the concerns is the fact that most English activities are taught by homeroom teachers who do not hold any formal teaching credentials in English. However, the MEXT has announced that English will become a "mandatory activity," not an academic subject. in elementary schools in 2011, which may trigger more problematic situations.
This paper addresses the issues related to the implementation of elementary school English in Japan from the following perspectives: (1) Role and relevance of English in an Asian context, (2) Importance of coherent education from elementary to tertiary level, (3) Brief history and current status of elementary school English in Japan, (4) Professional competencies for elementary school English: pedagogical competency and English ability.
Although English is recognized as the most widely used language of international communication, there has been no consensus of opinion about the purpose and goal of English education at elementary school level yet in Japan. In principle, teacher training and induction will not be offered to elementary homeroom teachers. In addition, the requirements for teachers of elementary school English have not yet been clarified by the MEXT. Main findings of the survey with 600 elementary school teachers, conducted in 2006 and 2007, and suggestions for designing of elementary school curriculum, teaching materials, and teacher education will also be discussed for further research.
