In today’s society, English is becoming an increasingly important skill.
With the proliferation of the internet and social media, the world has become more connected. However, in reality, do you still feel the presence of language barriers?
As technology advances, information and interactions are expanding across borders, with English playing a central role in this expansion.
Moreover, the use of English as a common language in many contexts has made it an indispensable part of our daily lives and work.
Being able to speak English is undoubtedly an advantage, but nowadays, it might be more accurate to say it is essential.
In this article, we will explore specific situations where English is crucial.
The Importance of English
The Role of English in a Globalized Society
In today’s rapidly globalizing society, English plays a crucial role as a primary tool for international communication. It is used in various contexts such as business, academia, and cultural exchange, facilitating smooth information sharing and decision-making.
For example, in international conferences and academic symposiums, English is often the standard language, enabling people from different countries and cultures to engage in dialogue on a common basis.
Moreover, with the widespread use of the internet, English has become a dominant language online, serving as an essential means to access knowledge and information from around the world.
When it comes to the internet, we, as Japanese speakers, often search for information in Japanese. However, Japanese accounts for only a small fraction of the world’s information. Using English allows us to access exponentially more information, vastly expanding our horizons.
Advantages in Business, Travel, and Cultural Exchange
Mastering English brings significant advantages in the business world. Being able to use English fluently in international trade and negotiations can be a competitive edge.
Many multinational companies adopt English as their common internal language, facilitating smooth communication among employees from different countries and cultures. Additionally, many business documents and contracts are written in English, making high English proficiency directly linked to career advancement.
In travel, English proficiency is also extremely beneficial. English is widely understood in many tourist destinations, hotels, and restaurants around the world, greatly reducing anxiety during travel.
It also allows for deeper interaction with local cultures and people, expanding the range of activities available while traveling. Engaging in conversations about each other’s cultures with people from other countries fosters mutual understanding. This broadens international perspectives and promotes cross-cultural understanding.
In the realm of cultural exchange, English skills are a significant advantage. One can enjoy literary works, films, and music written in English in their original language, leading to a deeper understanding. For movie enthusiasts, experiencing the original version rather than following Japanese subtitles can truly convey the intended message of the film.
Thus, speaking English enables communication with locals, enriching and enhancing travel experiences.
The Benefits of Early English Education
Children Have a High Ability to Naturally Absorb Language
It is said that young children have an exceptionally high ability to naturally absorb languages.
Exposing them to English during this period allows them to learn a new language without stress.
Studies indicate that children raised in a multilingual environment during early childhood develop higher language processing abilities in the brain and possess flexible thinking skills. Therefore, early English education is highly beneficial for a child’s intellectual development.
Easy Acquisition of Pronunciation and Intonation
Another significant advantage of learning English at a young age is the natural acquisition of pronunciation and intonation.
By listening to native speakers’ pronunciation from an early age, children can naturally pick up correct pronunciation and intonation. This increases the likelihood that they will be able to speak like native speakers in the future.
Having solid pronunciation and intonation improves the quality of communication and allows them to speak English with confidence.
One of the reasons many Japanese people struggle to speak English despite years of study is the lack of confidence in their pronunciation and the fear that they might be making mistakes.
Laying the Foundation for Future Learning and Career
Learning English at an early age is crucial for building a foundation for future learning and career opportunities.
High English proficiency not only leads to improved academic performance but also serves as a significant advantage when pursuing university entrance exams, studying abroad, and international careers.
Moreover, mastering English naturally encourages looking outward to the world and developing a global perspective. This fosters an understanding of and ability to address international issues.
As a result, a wide range of choices and opportunities become available, enhancing the potential for self-fulfillment in the future.
Effective Methods for Learning English
The Importance of Enjoyable Learning
The key to learning English is to make it enjoyable.
Children become more motivated and learn more effectively when they engage in play or activities they are interested in.
Using games, songs, and picture books, children can naturally pick up English while having fun. Enjoyable learning sustains motivation and can lead to long-term learning benefits.
Incorporating English into Daily Life
To incorporate English into daily life, singing English songs or watching English TV shows and movies is said to be effective.
You may have often heard that many foreigners who learned Japanese did so through Japanese anime and movies.
Start by introducing simple English conversations at home to increase natural exposure to English.
For instance, using English during morning greetings, meal times, and playtime can help children become familiar with the language on a daily basis. Additionally, reading English picture books to them can help develop their vocabulary and reading comprehension skills.
Balancing Reading, Listening, and Speaking
Effective English learning requires a balance between reading, listening, and speaking.
Reading helps to enhance vocabulary and comprehension skills, listening develops listening abilities and the acquisition of correct pronunciation and intonation, and speaking improves actual communication skills and builds confidence in using English.
By strengthening these skills in a balanced manner, overall English proficiency improves, allowing for practical use of English in various situations.
Recommended Learning Materials and Apps
The Benefits of Learning English Using Picture Books
Learning English using picture books is particularly effective for infants and children because it allows them to understand visually and learn English expressions and vocabulary naturally through stories.
Picture books easily capture children’s interest and help them concretely understand how words are used within the context of the story.
Additionally, through reading aloud, children can enhance their listening skills and learn the rhythm and intonation of English.
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絵本で英語脳を育てよう！英語絵本1,000冊が読み放題【絵本ナビえいご】
Learning Enjoyably with Apps
In today’s digital age, there are numerous English learning apps that allow children to learn enjoyably.
For example, apps that teach English through a game-like experience capture children’s interest and enable them to learn while having fun.
These apps incorporate interactive elements that encourage children to actively engage in learning. Additionally, by tracking progress and achieving goals within the app, children can maintain their motivation for learning.
Learning Enjoyably with Parents
Learning English can be an enjoyable activity for both parents and children. To enrich English learning at home, it is effective for parents and children to read picture books together, sing English songs, and enjoy simple conversations in English.
By learning together, children are more likely to develop an interest in learning and naturally acquire English skills.
Additionally, learning together provides parents with the opportunity to monitor their child’s progress and offer support.
Introduction to Ehon Navi Eigo(絵本ナビえいご)
An English Learning App Using Picture Books
Ehon Navi Eigo is an English learning app that uses picture books and includes over 1,000 English picture books.
This app offers many features to help children enjoy learning English.
For example, it has a read-aloud function by native speakers and pronunciation games with AI scoring, allowing children to learn at their own pace.
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The Benefits of Extensive Reading and Features of the App
A significant feature of Ehon Navi Eigo is its ability to maximize the benefits of extensive reading.
Extensive reading is a learning method that improves vocabulary and reading comprehension by reading a large amount of text.
This app offers a diverse selection of picture books that can capture children’s interests, allowing them to experience the benefits of extensive reading while having fun.
Additionally, each picture book comes with an audio guide, which helps children learn correct pronunciation and rhythm.
Benefits of Read-Alouds by Native Speakers and Pronunciation Games
Ehon Navi Eigo features a read-aloud function by native speakers, allowing children to learn the natural rhythm and pronunciation of English.
Additionally, through pronunciation games with AI scoring, children can check and improve their pronunciation.
This helps them acquire accurate pronunciation and intonation, enabling them to speak English with confidence.
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Summary
Early English education is an important factor that significantly impacts children’s futures.
By being exposed to English during early childhood, children can naturally acquire the language and build a foundation for future learning and careers. English skills enhance competitiveness in the international community and open up many new opportunities.
To make learning English enjoyable, it is crucial to utilize specific methods and tools.
Using apps like Ehon Navi Eigo, children can effectively learn English while having fun.
Enriching home study and learning English together as a family deepens communication within the household and allows for sharing enjoyable learning experiences.
As a result, it is easy to imagine that children’s futures will be filled with more possibilities, and they will likely appreciate having started learning English early.
Starting now can enhance the value of English learning. Why not start learning with your child today?
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