Editorial

Teaching children is a very big responsibility. We can easily have life-changing effects on their interest in learning English, on whether or not they will be curious about the world outside Japan, and on their attitude towards different cultures, races and opinions. Unfortunately, the training of teachers of children, particularly with regard to building motivation and long-term skills is sadly neglected. Many teachers of young learners have almost no specialist training.

For quite a few years, I have been trying to address this issue both in Japan and other Asian countries. Every year at this time, I travel around Japan running one-day certificate courses in teaching elementary school children. Personally, I find this the most rewarding thing I do all year.

One of the great things about teaching young learners is that we can focus on the long-term development of everything from their ability to communicate in English to their willingness to read English books by themselves at home to their attitude towards the international world. Instead of having to consider next week's test, we can scaffold their English skills and psychological attitudes step by step over a period of time.

In a way, we are spoilt compared with teachers of older students. We have a wonderful opportunity to make a real difference to the children's lives. But, what a responsibility this is! I think it's important that we all do everything we can to study and reflect deeply on how to make full use of this opportunity and help the children reach their full potential both in English and as future members of an international society.

If you would like to know more about the one-day courses, please visit this website. The dates of the courses are as follows:

Jan 24 Osaka
Jan 31 Nagoya
Feb 7 Tokyo
Feb 14 Sendai
Feb 21 Kanazawa
Feb 28 Fukuoka
Mar 14 Hiroshima

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• Adults
• Barbara's editorial (3)
• David's editorial (27)
• Kids
• Steven's editorial (4)
• Teacher development (1)
• Theron's editorial (4)

• Revealing hidden voices
• Teaching and Learning: It's all about the People
• The Balance Between Online Privacy and Online Access
• Pursuing a fluency based methodology
• Pressing Issues in EFL Japan
• The last chance to take the one-day certificate course
• The Connected Teacher
• The difficulties of teacher on the job training (OJT)
• Fluency in EFL
• The regeneration of the language school industry in Japan

• Pressing Issues in EFL Japan
    - Bob Sanderson
    - Michael Stout
    - Steven Herder
    - Steven Herder
    - Chuck Sandy
    - Steven Herder
    - Barbara Sakamoto
    - Steven Herder
  
• Pursuing a fluency based methodology
    - steven Herder
  
• The Connected Teacher
    - Marisa Pavan
    - Barbara Sakamoto
  
• Fluency in EFL
    - David
    - Barbara Sakamoto
    - Steven Herder
    - Phil
  
• The difficulties of teacher on the job training (OJT)
    - Phil
    - Theron Muller
  
• The regeneration of the language school industry in Japan
    - Steven Herder
    - David Juteau
    - Paul
    - James Hart
    - Mark
    - Vick L. Ssali
  
• Giving a presentation
    - Mike Bagosy
  
• Online Adventures of a Not-So-Techie Teacher
    - Theron Muller
    - Barbara Sakamoto
    - Anna Pires
    - Barbara Sakamoto
    - Michael Gorman
    - carla arena
    - Barbara Sakamoto
    - Barbara Sakamoto