Tag - english

 
 

ENGLISH

EDITORIALS
May 3, 2014
Test problems here and abroad
Recent news that two of the most popular English-language proficiency tests in Japan, TOEIC and TOEFL, can no longer be accepted for obtaining visas to Britain may have come as a shock to students, parents and test administrators.
JAPAN
Apr 30, 2014
Education ministry body to roll out English-only meetings
Meetings on English education at a division of the education ministry will be conducted in English beginning in May on a trial basis, in an apparent move to both reflect and promote the trend in language education.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Voices / VIEWS FROM THE STREET
Apr 28, 2014
Fujisawa: What do you think of the new rules for standardizing English on public signs?
New transport ministry guidelines require that public signs use standardized English words to replace Romanized Japanese words. So what do tourists and residents in Enoshima think of the changes?
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Issues / LEARNING CURVE
Apr 20, 2014
To teach to test or for communication — or both?
Which is more important: to communicate in a second language or to test well?
Japan Times
JAPAN
Apr 11, 2014
Iitate farmer's cautionary tale translated
Kenichi Hasegawa is a man of conviction.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Issues / LEARNING CURVE
Apr 6, 2014
Read up on ways that can help us learn English
Public libraries are important community resources across Japan, but while English is taught from fifth grade, those hoping to find a ready stash of English-language reading material may be disappointed.
COMMUNITY / Issues
Apr 6, 2014
Teaching tricks of the trade for the new school year
Spring means the new school year has arrived in Japan, and for Assistant Language Teachers and non-Japanese English instructors it also signals a lot of changes. Some will find themselves in entirely new school assignments, while those staying put will welcome new classes of students.
JAPAN
Apr 2, 2014
Standardized English for road signs to help foreign tourists
Foreign tourists in Japan will have a less confusing time trying to identify roads and landmarks thanks to the introduction of standardized English words and eradication of "Romanized" Japanese words on public signs, transport ministry officials said.
JAPAN
Mar 21, 2014
Break 'passive' English effort: expert
Efforts to foster a generation of more globally competitive talent will not bear fruit unless Japan breaks away from its traditional penchant for "passive" written English exams, Perry Akins, a well-known expert in the field of English-language education, said Friday in Tokyo.
JAPAN
Mar 19, 2014
Tokyo to put up more multi-language signs for Olympics
Tokyo and the central government launched on Wednesday a public-private council to come up with ways to put up more multiple-language signs for the 2020 Olympics.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / LEARNING CURVE
Mar 16, 2014
To get more out of your students, make the most of your space
Teachers need to know how to maximize their space to get the most out of their students, and schools should be designed to meet the needs of their specific range of students.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / LEARNING CURVE
Feb 23, 2014
Lado’s victory and demise weren’t without their lessons
With decreasing salaries and eroding job security, it may seem as if little has improved for instructors working in Japan's eikaiwa (English conversation) industry.
COMMUNITY / Our Lives / JAPAN LITE
Feb 22, 2014
Tokyo 2020: only as old as the medalists you field
The motto of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics is 'Discover Tomorrow,' which organizers hope will help distract sport fanatics from the reality of Japan being the fastest-aging country in the world.
COMMUNITY / Our Lives / JAPAN LITE
Feb 7, 2014
'Cove' to become 'aquatic nook' as Abe takes aim at improper eigo
Some say that Shinzo Abe's latest proposed tax increases, part of the 'fourth arrow' in his popular 'Abenomics' policy, are going a step too far. Dubbed the 'language tax,' the new levy is aimed at word usage.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Voices / COMMUNITY CHEST
Jan 27, 2014
Have your say on English education
Letters and online responses to the Jan. 6, 13 and 20 Learning Curve columns by Teru Clavel on English education.
COMMUNITY / How-tos / LIFELINES
Jan 26, 2014
No time for free reading? You can make it up at university
I hope 2014 has started well for all our readers. Lifelines kicks off the Year of the Horse with an email from overseas reader Hannah, who has several questions about the Japanese education system:
Japan Times
COMMUNITY
Jan 22, 2014
Teachers tread water in eikaiwa limbo
Every year, thousands of young native English-speakers fly to Asia in search of an adventure, financed by working as English teachers. They come from Australia, New Zealand, the U.S., Britain, Canada and elsewhere.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Issues / LEARNING CURVE
Jan 19, 2014
China, South Korea face familiar woes in English quest
Japan isn't alone in its struggles with teaching English. China and South Korea have experienced similar frustrations, but their responses and results have been quite different.

Longform

Professional cleaner Hirofumi Sakurai takes a moment to appreciate some photographs in a Gotanda apartment whose occupant died alone.
The last cleanup: Life and death in a lonely Japan