Tochigi workshop

As Blue Sky has already gave his summary, six of us in the seminar went to Utsunomiya to help three presentations given by Professor Tanabe on the occasion of an English teachers' Development Workshop on Sep 6.

I would like to write my impressions about the last section which was intended to improve elementary school’s teachers' skills of English pronunciation.

Dr. Tanabe taught them the basics of English pronunciation, including such indispensable constituents items as mora & syllable, rhythm, intonation, sound change (linking, dropping, assimilation) as well as basic vowels and consonants for a better English communication.

What I felt throughout his presentation was the realization of the importance of learning of English pronunciation as well as a heavy burden levied on the shoulder of elementary school teachers. With the planned revision of a new course of study in 2020 which officially dictates them to engage in "teaching English.” They are faced with this immediate business of familiarizing themselves with English sounds. Dr. Tanabe attempted to give them a way to go about dealing with this change.

I hope they got the clue from this seminar. (OkaUchi)