English Language Teaching at Public Primary Schools during the Time of the Third Elementary School Ordinance

Abstract

Among the studies on the history of English Language Teaching (ELT hereafter) at primary schools, very few refer to actual classroom teaching. Although some reports are made of ELT at private schools, those of public primary schools are difficult to obtain. This is due to the scarcity of records of teaching procedures or teaching plans preserved at those schools.This paper attempts to shed light upon this field referring to a report made in 1902 by an English teacher at Akashi Higher Primary School, Hyogo Prefecture. The author of the report mentions the aims and principles of ELT at the school and gives an example of teaching procedure adopted.What has been made clear from the above report is as follows : Spoken English received more emphasis than written English; the Natural Method based on the acquisition process of one's mother tongue was adopted; the teaching procedure started with listening and speaking activities, followed by writing activities, and then by reading activities; and this cycle was spirally repeated so that it would enhance the students' learning of the language.