インドネシアと日本の小学校における英語教育 : 早期のほうがよいのか

Ten years have passed since Indonesia started teaching English as a compulsory class in elementary school. In view of the past decade, English education in Indonesia is now facing some challenges that can possibly cause the educational pendulum to swing back. On the other hand, in 2011, Japan finally embarked on a compulsory English class called “Foreign Language Activities” , but it may be still premature to make the next decision in educational policy based on the outcome of the past three years. Ministry of Education, Culture, Science, Sports and Technology（MEXT）in Japan, however, accepting the suggestion of the educational rebuilding council, clarified the policy of starting English education earlier: from the present the 5th to 3rd graders. Indonesia and Japan have different issues to address in English education in elementary school. It is time to give a second look at the underlying principles of early childhood English education. The implication from these principals and the realities of a real-world classroom situation are integrated in policy making and it is of special importance for the two countries’future in English education