English Composition Correction is the Secret to English Language Instruction: Examples of Japanese-to-English Composition Lessons 4-1 -- Advice for students who have not mastered the basics of English grammar: focus on only one concrete thing at a time (1)

The following is a portion of the Japanese draft and English draft about introducing Japan that a student named P created during a Japanese-to-English composition group lesson I used to conduct at the Naruse Juku. The theme she chose was 'tofu'.

[P's Japanese Draft]
Tofu from individual shops tastes and smells different from national brands. When you compare tofu made locally with tofu sold at supermarkets, you realize that the tofu sold at supermarkets is bland. In terms of price, it is cheaper than the high-end tofu sold at supermarkets, and the local tofu tastes better than the high-end tofu.

[P's English Draft]
Tofu from Local Tofu Shop tests and smells different, or I should say far better than the ‘High Class’ Tofu with National Brand. While price level of local Tofu shop is less than ‘High Class’ Tofu with National Brand.

[Naruse's Commentary]
P is a very enthusiastic student, but judging by her English composition, unfortunately, she has almost no grasp of basic grammar at the first or second-year junior high school level. Since she mentioned that she can speak English quite well, it is likely that she has been able to manage English conversation by actively utilizing broken English.

Cases like this are seen quite frequently among those who have focused their learning on English conversation.

Current English conversation instruction is based on the 'communicative approach' that says 'as long as it is understood, that is fine,' so English conversation teachers try to avoid pointing out grammatical mistakes as much as possible, fearing it will lower the student's motivation.

Therefore, the reality is that even if one learns English conversation for many years, one does not acquire correct English grammar or writing skills. It seems that P has also fallen into this 'English conversation trap'.

In recent years, with the introduction of English 'conversation' in elementary schools, a sense of aversion toward proper English learning in junior high school has increased among children. As a result, surveys by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology have shown that the English proficiency of junior high school students, especially their writing ability, is declining rapidly.

This can also be called a type of 'English conversation trap,' and it is expected that from now on, there will be an increase in Japanese people like P who 'can speak English to some extent but cannot write proper English.' This is truly a grave situation for the future of Japan and the Japanese people.

So, how should I, as an English coach, provide guidance to P? I will explain that thoroughly in the next post.

(To be continued)