I watched an interesting TV show the other day. The commentators were talking about whether English education at primary schools is really necessary in Japan. The government has introduced English as a compulsoly subject at public primary schools to boost up Japanese people's English skills by teaching it at earlier age. My son's school also has some English activities with a native English speaking teacher.

An English teacher said in the show that English education at primary schools is meaningless because there is "the critical period", a biological age limit for a person to acquire a natural feeling for a language, and it's the age of three, according to the recent research. A few hours a week English education at primary schools wouldn't make them fluent at speaking English. First of all, many people in Japan don't need to speak English in daily life. So they should study the Japanese language harder than English. 

The other commentators disagree with her and said that the purpose of early English education is not making children native English speakers, but it's important to get them more interested in the English language as a second language.

I myself believe in “the earlier the better” theory as to learning a foreign language although I wouldn't take the idea of “the critical period.” It's true that our learning abilities become difficult to progress as we get older, but I also think it's not too late to start learning a foreign language at any age. The important thing is how much you expose yourself to the language.It would be best if you could live in an English-speaking country and immerse yourself with English for a long period of time but it's actually difficult for many learners to achieve it. Then, self education comes very important. The second important thing is never give up.

I don't have an urgent reason to study English but it's fun to communicate with people from different countries in English. That's my motivation for studying English. I can't reach a conclusion about the topic, but at least my son seems to have fun with the English activites at his school.

I'd appreciate if anybody would correct my English or share your opinion about the topic.