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1. How old were you when you had your first English lesson? Did you enjoy it? Why?
2. You are studying English now. Do you see this as a hobby, as a necessity or as both? If you answered “as a hobby”, why do you enjoy studying English? If you answered “as a necessity”, why is it necessary in your life? If you answered “both” please explain.
3. There are many approaches to learning English available to learners in Japan. These include cram school courses, vocational training courses, Eikawa courses, undergraduate courses, self-study (podcasts, tv, radio and books) and compulsory education courses at high school. Which experiences have helped you the most?
4. What has been your worst experience (losing time or money and getting no-where)?
5. Japan spends over $40 billon dollars a year learning English yet only 3% of the population could give directions to the station. Why is the system so inefficient?
6. Do you think there is a generation of learners who are young now who will do better than your generation at learning English? Why?

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Question 1

I feel like my first English lessons were my parents reading to me every night. My first formal English lesson was my first day of elementary school.

Question 2

I would say that it's both. I love to read and learn new words and phrases. It's a necessity because I am an English instructor. The more that I learn, the more my students will learn.

Question 3

I have taught at high schools in the Osaka are for four years and worked in Eikaiwa for four years.

Question 4

I think teaching high school in Japan has been my worse experience, so far. The teachers used mostly Japanese to explain English grammar. There was very little actual English spoken in the classroom.

Question 5

I think that the focus is too much grammar and little conversation. There is also very little opportunity to practice English speaking skills in Japan.

Question 6

I think that the younger generation will have good resources and opportunities to study foreign language in the future. It will be interesting to see how Japan changes following the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

Tough Vocabulary

- English -	- Japanese -
necessity	必要性
opportunity	機会
generation	世代