Is Your Child Ready for the World? Why English Is No Longer Just a "Subject"
- 2 hours ago
- 2 min read
Hello English learners!
The Golden Week holidays are here again. Whether you’re travelling abroad or exploring Japan, these breaks remind us how big and connected the world really is.
One of our high school students recently visited South Korea on a family holiday. As well as enjoying the food, fashion, and pop culture there, she told us how nice it was to have been able to communicate in English with the locals. This real-life scenario, from a young Japanese person’s perspective, surely prompts some important questions.
Is Your Child Ready for the World? Why English Is No Longer Just a "Subject"
As parents, we all want to give our children the best possible start. We sign them up for sports, music, and cram schools, hoping to unlock their potential. But there is one hurdle currently holding Japan back on the global stage: English proficiency.
Recent reports show that Japan’s English skills have hit a record low, ranking 96th out of 123 countries. While our neighbours in South Korea (48th) and Vietnam (64th) are surging ahead, many Japanese students are worryingly being left behind.
While most Japanese citizens receive around 10 years of English education at the student level, it is estimated that less than 5% of workers are able to use English at the business level. Similarly, 70% of the population is believed to be unable to speak any English at all.
What does this mean for your child’s future?
The "Digital Gap": Most of the world’s new technology and information are in English. Without it, kids lose access to the tools they need for future careers.
Economic Opportunity: From tourism to tech, the best jobs now require "global communication". When candidates can't speak confidently, they get overlooked and lose their seat at the table.
A Shrinking World: English isn't just about tests; it’s about building relationships, sharing Japanese culture, and having the confidence to travel anywhere.
The "Test-First" TrapFor too long, English in Japan has simply been about memorising grammar for entrance exams. This is why many high school graduates can read a textbook but can’t order a meal or share an opinion in English.
At 3R English, we do things differently.We don’t just teach for tests; we teach for life. Our goal is to move past the "very low" rankings and give your child the confidence to speak, lead, and compete. We focus on:
✅Practical Conversation: Getting kids talking from day one. Not simply listening to a teacher speak.
✅Global Mindset: Encouraging curiosity about the world. English is actually fun!
✅Confidence Building: Breaking the "fear of mistakes" that holds so many back. Growth through learning.
Our approach works. Beyond building confidence, we are proud that our students maintain a very high success rate in EIKEN exams and English entrance exams, proving that you don't have to choose between speaking skills and academic results.
The world isn’t going to wait for Japan to catch up. It’s up to we teachers and parents to equip our children for life in an uncertain future.
Contact us today and experience our fun and effective 4-week lesson trial.
Have a great Golden Week!
Richard & Miyako
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