Long-term effects of Learning English: Experiences from Japanese Primary Schools

This book presents a pioneering longitudinal study on English language instruction at the elementary school (ELES) level in the Japanese public school system. It attempts to identify those domains most sensitive to early English instruction by employing a state-of-the-art quantitative research methodology. English education was formally introduced in Japan for fifth and sixth graders in 2011 and is still in its infancy as a program. This study compares two groups (Grade 7 and 8) of students, one with ELES and one without, in order to shed light on their experiences. Comparisons are carried out not only quantitatively, measuring changes in English skills (listening, speaking, reading, and vocabulary / grammar) and the ELES students’ affective aspects, but also qualitatively through in-depth interviews. Thus, this study attempts to capture the ELES students’ experiences from a multi-dimensional perspective. The comprehensive literature review provided offers a valuable resource not only for researchers looking for a quick digest of the literature in this field before undertaking their own research, but also for policy-makers seeking to assess how to best implement ELES.

Dr. Shigeo Uematsu is Professor in the Department of Cultural Studies and the Graduate School of Foreign Language at Kyoto Sangyo University, Kyoto, Japan. He has published in several areas of second language acquisition mainly focusing on the investigation of the age effect on the acquisition of the target foreign language. English Language Learning and the Critical Period (2006), The Age Factor (multi-authored volume, 2011). His recent publication is The Effect of English Learning in Elementary School on Students' English Language Development in Junior High Schools. The Journal of Asia TEFL (2013).