Interview

Tom Merner

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About educational reform

Can you tell us a bit about your involvement with the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT)? Was it a productive or a frustrating experience?
I was introduced to MEXT by Yuri Kuno, who I consider my mentor, and was added to the authoring committee of the Handbook for Elementary School English Activities. I must say it was quite a frustrating experience since we were told there was a limited amount of time and I personally didn't feel we had a real chance to discuss about the contents of the book or what English activities within the Sogo timeframe were to be like. I still think a much better job could have been done and hope they MEXT provides more forums for such discussions about what the needs of the teachers are and what is and should actually go on in the classrooms.

However, I must also say that I learned a lot from the experience and it let me meet many people I hadn't known before then. It also let me see what was actually going on at public elementary schools and I have learned a lot since. I also served as a teacher trainer for the MEXT teacher training seminars last year. This was another learning experience and I also thought more discussions and preparations could have led to a better program.

How hopeful are you that recent changes in the education system, in particular the introduction of English classes in public elementary schools, will bring about real improvement in the English level of Japan's students?
As one involved in the field, I hope a lot is done in the near future. Many teachers are still struggling without decent support. The aims and teaching methodologies have not been made clear and I hope a lot of research is done in this area. I can't really say whether this change will lead to a big change in the overall level of English among Japanese students, but I know it does have a potential. It would all depend on how things develop and how much support can be provided to the teachers. With a rumor saying that English will become a formal subject of elementary schools in the near future, I hope more discussions will take place, including seeking ways of linking elementary school English and junior high. Unless these take place, there may be no changes at all.

Are there any reforms that are not being implemented that you think should be?
Well, this may not answer your question, but I personally feel that the newly implemented Sogotekina Gakushu no Jikan, where English is placed as one of the options, has a great potential in changing education in Japan all together. I am not saying this only for English being included. I believe the basic concepts of Sogo aim to change the Japanese education system from a system that tries to produce diligent passive learners to a system that aims to develop children who can reach out and seek for answers and solutions for queries they have based on their own interests. The cut of instructional contents also aims to provide more space and time for children to digest the incoming information rather than trying to cram them with more information.

Unfortunately, many in Japan do not seem to understand this intention and you hear about cram schools and others criticizing MEXT for lowering the educational standards of the Japanese children. Some teachers are also reluctant to implement such changes.

We are seeing so many problems in Japanese schools from elementary all the way up to the university level and I truly hope more discussions and research can be seen to improve the current situation.

About material development

You're a co-author of the "English Time 1" Teacher's Manual and an advising editor for two other works. Do you see yourself getting further involved in publishing?
To tell you the truth I personally feel I am better a teacher than a writer. I was so glad to be able to share my ideas and it was a great experience working on such projects but I must say they are demanding in time and energy especially when having a full teaching load at the same time. Another thing I have learned is the limits of textbooks and teacher manuals. Although textbooks and manuals are often essential for teachers, especially for those who are new to the field, it is the teacher and his / her ideas and beliefs in teaching that creates the lessons.

I believe it is extremely important for teachers to hone their skills to use the material they have as springboards and to devise them to cater the needs of the students they have. I must say that teacher training is important along with the experience teachers accumulate in the classroom and this is the area I am currently interested in.

I took a look at NHK's web site for "Eigorian" and "Super Eigorian", which you've been involved in. Having been involved in edutainment software development, I can say that it's very well done, though difficult to navigate without Japanese ability. How successful has it been? How widely used is it?
I think I can say the programs themselves are a revolutionary development for English education programs, especially in Japan. The original concept was to provide supporting material for the Japanese elementary school teachers who have no English teaching backgrounds and a lack of confidence and competence in speaking English. Fortunately, the programs have become very popular among children watching them in elementary school classrooms and also younger ones watching at home. I have also heard there are some older fans, too. Many teachers have started using the programs to teach English. This may explain why it may be difficult for non-Japanese to navigate through the sites. They are basically there to support the Japanese teachers, providing them with extra material and teaching ideas.

The children's section is also popular with the games linked to the programs. I only have old figures but the Eigorian site receives over 2 million hits per month and has kept the second most popular position among all NHK websites, following the NHK News site. I can also add that the program and site recently received the Italian Grand Prix as the best program linked with a website.

On a more personal level

How do you find living and working in Yokohama? Is seems a slightly more relaxed and cosmopolitan place than the neighboring Tokyo. Is that true?
I am not sure about Yokohama being more relaxed since it is getting more and more crowded year after year. I can say that you don't really need to go into Tokyo for shopping or other needs since Yokohama has almost everything Tokyo provides. I do love Yokohama since it is where I have lived for almost 15 years and also for several years as a child. However, after visiting some of the local cities last year for presentations, I now feel there are many nice places to live around Japan. It could be just my impression, but I did feel that life in such cities is more relaxed and human without the rush and pressure you find in major cities like Tokyo and Yokohama.

Where do you see yourself in five years' time?
An early retirement allowing me to enjoy my free time sounds nice, but I think I will still be in a classroom having fun with kids.

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