Traditionally, children's English teaching in Japan has relied heavily on FUN lessons. But what is FUN? Why the emphasis on FUN? Was any real learning occurring? Students coming to us from other "FUN" schools seemed to indicate: probably not.
Despite 4 – 5 years English instruction, most of these students can't read, write, speak or listen well. Dave and I wonder what HAS been going on in their lessons for the last 4 years? We suspect an emphasis on “FUN". Games played with the emphasis on quick hands / feet instead of quick brains and English. Songs sung with kids moving but are they singing? Reading and writing either by-passed or dumbed down (copying is not writing).
At Dave and Amy English School, we have a different definition of fun. Fun is learning new vocabulary and improving reading skills. Fun is knowing that you can speak, read, write and understand English to a high level. Fun is having confidence in your ability. Fun is progressing to the next level text, game to further improve.
In our lessons, every game, flashcard set, text…. is level appropriate. Students know when they’ve leveled up to a higher game. They’re challenged to learn slightly more difficult grammar and vocabulary. They find the challenge fun.
The same with texts. When a student in a class levels up to the next textbook, he’s visibly thrilled. He’s the recipient of envious glances and comments. We can hear him tell his Mom as he leaves—-I’m on Book 5 now!!! Other students are motivated to also level up.
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Razia khan (Friday, 27 April 2018 17:59)
Hi Dave and Amy .I am so happy to read ur post of what is fun ? I am teaching in a kindergarden school and my colleague teacher have just singing and wasting time !But I like to do study and other activity related to study ,I reward kids with sticker . But today I was told that kids don’t want to come to school ,reason -unknown . I am surprised ! In the end of the we have so much pressure when parents complain that my child is unable to do his/her lesson ,because they don’t understand . Now u help me plz . Because I am sailing in the same boat as u .
Amy (Friday, 27 April 2018 18:05)
Hi Razia---I feel for you. My only suggestion is to keep doing quality lessons where the kids actually learn. Some kids / families won't like it. But that is fine. You can't please everyone. Kids might leave because you're lessons aren't 'fun' in the traditional way. But you have to remember that kids also leave these ' fun' schools because they want more serious study (especially from 4th grade and up). So--whatever you do---kids will leave. At least with our school, kids don't leave in droves around 4th grade and up because we are considered just as rigorous as the cram schools. Anyway, good luck. A