Most Japanese students begin learning English in elementary school. But even after years of study, many still struggle to hold a basic conversation. This gap between effort and outcome is the heart of Japan’s English education issue.
According to MEXT (Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology), English became a compulsory subject in elementary schools from 2020. Fifth and sixth graders now take English classes twice a week. But the problem isn’t when they start. It’s how the system handles what comes next.
For most students, English becomes another subject to memorize. Not a language to use. By the time they reach high school, they can translate texts. But they often can’t speak naturally.
Japanese teachers work hard, but they face big obstacles
The majority of English teachers in Japan are Japanese. While many are passionate and skilled, they often lack the fluency to conduct full classes in English.
A 2021 survey by the Benesse Educational Research and Development Institute found that only 33% of junior high school English teachers use English as the primary language in class. The rest rely heavily on Japanese.
This isn’t because they don’t want to teach in English. Many aren’t confident enough in their own speaking ability. And that reflects directly in the classroom.
So students hear more Japanese than English. They learn how to pass a test, not how to hold a conversation. That’s why actual speaking ability remains low even after years of formal instruction.
Textbooks follow the rules, but they often ignore real-world usage
All textbooks used in Japanese public schools are approved by MEXT. They are carefully designed to match national standards. But that careful design often leads to rigid content.
The focus is on grammar patterns, polite forms, and structured dialogues. Phrases are correct but not natural. Many expressions taught aren’t common in real conversation. Students memorize example sentences, but they don’t know how to adjust them to fit different situations.
This leaves a big gap between textbook English and the kind of English used by native speakers.
Classes are mainly grammar-based. And that’s a huge part of the problem
In middle school and high school, English classes follow a clear formula. Students learn vocabulary, read passages, and then analyze grammar. Most of the instruction is in Japanese. English becomes a subject like math.
There’s little time for group discussions, roleplay, or real speaking practice. Students might write sentences or answer comprehension questions, but they rarely have to express their ideas in English.
This pattern trains students to succeed in written tests. But it doesn’t build confidence in using the language.
Even when speaking exercises are included, they are usually scripted. There’s no room for natural, spontaneous conversation. So students freeze up when asked to speak freely.
Japan’s English education is shaped by the pressure of entrance exams
The university entrance system in Japan is known for its difficulty. English is a major part of it. That means students and teachers both focus heavily on test preparation.
Most tests prioritize grammar, vocabulary, and reading comprehension. Some now include listening. But speaking and writing are still rare.
So even students who study hard for years may have never practiced a real conversation. The system rewards memorization and written accuracy, not fluency.
In this kind of environment, schools have little choice. They teach to the test. And that test doesn’t ask you to talk.
ALT programs add value, but they don’t always stay long
Many public schools bring in Assistant Language Teachers (ALTs), often native English speakers. These teachers support communication-focused activities and bring in real pronunciation and culture.
The JET Programme, which started in 1987, is the most well-known. It sends thousands of ALTs to schools across Japan.
But ALTs are usually not trained teachers. They support the main teacher and lead speaking games or dialogues. Their impact depends on how much the school lets them do.
Some schools let ALTs take the lead. Others restrict them to minor roles. And since most ALTs stay only a year or two, consistency becomes a problem.
Speaking ability remains the weakest skill across all levels
Despite changes in the curriculum, the outcome hasn’t shifted much. In 2022, a national English proficiency survey showed that less than 10% of third-year high school students reached the “A2” speaking level on the CEFR scale. That’s below what is expected for functional conversation.
Reading and writing scores were higher. But listening and especially speaking stayed low.
This shows a core issue. Japanese students know the rules. But they don’t know how to speak freely.
Most of them can’t hold a five-minute conversation even after six years of study. The system teaches knowledge, not usage.
Parents now rely more on outside help, like private tutors
Because the school system often fails to build real communication skills, many families turn to outside help.
Private tutors and online platforms are becoming common. The rise of 英会話 個人レッスン (private English conversation lessons) shows that parents want their children to practice speaking with real people.
These lessons aren’t just about homework support. They give students a space to talk, make mistakes, and improve in real time.
Many are also turning to services like 英語 家庭教師, using platforms such as AmazingTalker, where students can learn directly from native or fluent speakers online.
These options aren’t limited by a classroom. They’re flexible, direct, and communication-focused. And that’s what students need most.
Some reform efforts are happening, but results are slow to appear
Japan isn’t ignoring the problem. There have been efforts to shift English education toward more communication. The government revised its curriculum guidelines in 2020 to place more emphasis on listening and speaking.
Now, English classes in junior high are supposed to be conducted “primarily in English.” But how much that happens depends on the teacher.
In practice, many teachers still rely on Japanese. Not because they ignore the rule, but because they fear students won’t understand. It becomes a balancing act between pushing for progress and maintaining test results.
MEXT also introduced the “English Communication” subject in high school. But this too often becomes another reading-and-response class. Without solid support, the shift stays on paper.
Teachers need better training, not just more responsibility
Another key challenge is teacher preparation. Many English teachers in Japan are graduates of English literature or linguistics. They know the language academically but may lack teaching experience in communicative methods.
Teaching English in English isn’t just about knowing the words. It’s about guiding interaction, adjusting to student responses, and managing a class entirely in a second language. That takes real training.
Countries like South Korea and Taiwan invest more in teacher development. Japan has the resources to do the same. But system-wide reform has been slow.
There’s no large-scale program that regularly trains English teachers in active language use or classroom fluency. Many teachers want to improve, but the support is limited.
Students want to speak. But the system doesn’t reward it
Ask students if they want to speak English. Many say yes. Especially younger learners. They want to talk, listen, and connect. But by the time they’re in junior high or high school, the pressure to pass exams changes their focus.
They stop aiming to speak fluently. They just want to avoid mistakes. So they fall into silence.
This isn’t about motivation. It’s about structure. The current education system in Japan teaches students that silence is safer than trying and failing to speak. That’s the real block to progress.
Real language growth doesn’t happen when students are afraid to speak. It happens when they can speak without fear.
After-school programs are picking up the slack
In the last decade, there’s been a quiet boom in after-school English options. From small group lessons to individual tutors, many families are looking outside public schools to give their kids a real shot at fluency.
Parents want more than textbook results. They want their kids to use the language.
That’s why English conversation cafés, weekend programs, and international preschool-style programs are growing. They create spaces where kids can speak freely and get comfortable with the language in real time.
These setups also don’t have the test pressure. So they often succeed in building natural fluency.
Technology is quietly changing how students learn English
Online tools are playing a bigger role in how students pick up English today. Platforms like YouTube, Duolingo, or even anime with English subtitles are helping learners outside of school.
But more structured options are also growing. Services like AmazingTalker allow learners to book one-on-one lessons with fluent or native tutors.
These aren’t just convenient. They’re personal. And for learners who’ve spent years in grammar-heavy classrooms, this one-on-one interaction is often the first time they feel comfortable speaking.
Real fluency doesn’t come from textbooks. It comes from interaction
Textbooks can teach structure. But they don’t prepare students for real-world conversation. That’s why interaction is key.
Language isn’t a code. It’s a skill. Like swimming, cycling, or cooking, you get better by doing it.
Speaking with another person, making small talk, responding to questions, or telling stories — these things build fluency. And they’re missing from most classroom environments in Japan.
Unless schools begin to bring interaction into the center of English learning, real fluency will stay rare.
What the future of English education in Japan might look like
Some positive trends are forming. The number of returnee students (those who spent time abroad and returned to Japan) is increasing. They often help bring awareness about practical English.
There’s also a slow but steady shift in the job market. Companies are looking for English communication, not just reading scores. That’s starting to affect how schools think.
The 2020 Tokyo Olympics (postponed to 2021) also brought attention to the need for global communication. Since then, there’s been more talk about making English a usable tool, not just an academic subject.
But it’s a long road. Real reform takes time. The culture of silence around speaking mistakes still dominates.
Until then, it will be platforms, tutors, and independent learning that fill the communication gap.
Final thought
Japan values education. That’s never been in question. But the way English is taught still follows a path set decades ago.
Repetition, memorization, and test prep — these don’t lead to fluent speakers. They lead to quiet classrooms.
If Japan wants a future generation that can use English confidently, it needs to prioritize communication from the very start. Teachers need better support. Students need space to speak freely.
And the system needs to reward usage, not just correctness.
Until then, families who care about fluency will keep turning to options like private tutors, flexible learning apps, and real conversation partners. That’s where real growth is happening.
And that’s where Japan’s English future is being written — one conversation at a time.