Many people describe English as a subject to teach in Japanese schools. As native speakers of English, we were taught the fundamentals of English in school, but the school did not teach us English. Instead, the school showed us how to make easy words more difficult. We were also taught what pronouns, nouns, adjectives, etc. This is the definition of being taught English.
At home, we picked up English, emphasizing the words spoken to us. Everyone around us expressed themselves in English. We picked up the sounds and started saying those sounds through baby talk. Eventually, we could say words, and the people around us told us how to say this or that in situations. For example, the phrase” Thank you.”
It was explained to us as children when we should say “thank you,” and now, in those situations, we naturally say “thank you.”
The English speaker's aim in Japanese schools is not to teach English. Therefore, we must leave that up to the Japanese teachers, especially in junior high school and above grades.
We are here to help students to understand English. Next week, we will cover different ways how you can do that!