The Latest News in ELT

June 2008

Young Learners Course from Longman, Anaheim
Pearson Longman and Anaheim University are to hold a "One Day Workshop in Teaching English to Young Learners" on July 12th at Anaheim's Tokyo campus. Attendees will be given a certificate of completion from Anaheim University. Yurio Kuno, Keiko Abe-Ford, Takao Ogawa and Junko Shimura will be giving presentations on a variety of topics related to teaching English to young learners. The presentations will be given in Japanese.

Visit: Longman's Website

Contact: Anaheim University (June 30, 2008 )

A Guide to Shinjuku's 2-Chome in English
Studio Pot, the company that produced the English guide to Akihabara has release a new book in English about Shinjuku's gay area. The company describes the book as "the story of the world's largest gay area, Shinjuku 2-chome, with facts and figures that even Japanese aren't aware of." The book retails for 1,680 yen.

Visit:Studio Pot (June 25, 2008 )

Ex-NOVA Boss Quizzed on Embezzlement
Former NOVA boss and founder Nozumu Sahashi is being investigated by police on suspicion of embezzling over 320 million yen (about 3 million US dollars). The Japan Times carries the story today. (June 23, 2008 )

"Self-Enlightenment" Motive for TOEIC Test Takers
According to a survey by ALC,45% of Japanese people want to get a 900 score in the TOEIC test. But why? Surprisingly, the most popular reason is “for self-enlightenment"(24%). This is bigger than “to change occupations” or “to find employment"(6%). So the main reason that people take the TOEIC test is "self-enlightenment", or self-development rather than to improve their career opportunities. Or, at least that's what they say.

Visit: Press Release (Japanese)

(June 19, 2008 )

English for Fat People?
One diet salon is exploiting the current concerns about metabolic syndrome with the perennial need for English. The diet salon, Toranomon Metabo-Care Center, has started an English school with "custom-made lessons". People can learn English and take measure to prevent "metabo".

The school touts the fact that it has a teacher with experience of living in the US who can understand the weak points of Japanese... No mention is made of whether TPR is a method of choice, or whether they use particularly heavy textbooks.

Visit: Press Release

Visit: Toranomon Metabo-Care Center website (June 17, 2008 )

Scholastic Tie-Up With RIC for Movie Readers
RIC have announced that they have been awarded exclusive distribution rights for Scholastics new series of film and TV graded readers. John Moore, president of RIC Japan said: "The wide range of titles reflect a world that your teenage students will instantly recognize. Indiana Jones, Lost and Mr Bean sit alongside coming-of-age classics such as Billy Elliot and Angelas Ashes. Real teenage issues such as bullying and relationships are tackled in original fiction titles."

The readers also include magazine-style "Fact Files" at the back of each reader and include star interviews and behind-the-scenes features. The reading experience, according to Scholastic, is underpinned by a carefully graded syllabus and word list at each level and self-study activities for progress assessment. An audio CD and online teacher's resource sheets complete the package.

Contact: RIC Publications (E-mail)

Visit: Scholastic Readers Page (June 16, 2008 )

Pearson to Acquire 2 Language School Chains in China
Pearson Education is to take controlling stakes in Learning Education Centre (LEC) and Dell English in China. Pearson will source curriculum materials from its Penguin and Longman divisions. LEC has 20 schools, principally in Beijing. (June 12, 2008 )

Low Expectations for Elementary School English
According to a survey by the the Japan Parent Teachers Association, 40% of parents have low expectations for the compulsory introduction of English into elementary schools.

Parent surveyed considered the most effective way to improve English was to ”hire professional English teachers"."Hiring native teachers” came second.

Visit: Nihon PTA Zenkoku Kyogikai (in Japanese) (June 10, 2008 )

Government Panel Wants English From 3rd Grade or Earlier
A government panel on English education has come down in favor of English education in elementary schools. The panel's draft report recommends that elementary schools start English education by the third grade at the latest. The panel also discussed setting target scores for English proficiency using test such as Eiken or TOEIC at various levels in elementary,junior high,high school,and universities.

Visit:Nikkei Net

Visit: Panel's Website (June 04, 2008 )

David Nunan to Give Free Lecture in Tokyo
World-renowned linguist and Anaheim University Dean of the School of Education Dr. David Nunan will be speaking at Anaheim University's Tokyo Learning Center in Minami Aoyama, Tokyo near Omotesando Station on Saturday, June 14th, 2008 at 1:30 pm. The title of the lecture is "Motivating Young Learners". It is open to the public at no charge, however reservations are required. To reserve, call Anaheim University at 03-3498-1005 or send an e-mail to Anaheim.. (June 03, 2008 )

University Students Boost Number of TOEIC Tests Taken in 2007
The number of TOEIC tests taken in 2007 increased by 7% on the previous year to 1,635,000. A significant factor in the increase was the jump in university students who took the test -- up by 10%.

The increase was partly due to the introduction of the use of TOEIC by all national universities in Japan and an increase in the number of private universities making use of the test.

Visit:TOEIC Press Release (Japanese)

Visit: TOEIC Official Homepage

(June 02, 2008 )

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