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Introduction

 

Hino Mizuki
Chairperson of the Board

The Japan Association for the Promotion of English for Children is a private-sector public-service which was organization established in the spring of 1978 with the cooperation of eminent persons in the English language education field as well as various other fields to popularize and promote correct and practical English language education for children.Since its foundation, the Association has conducted numerous operations, including research on fundamental principles and education methods of English language training for children, fostering of specialized teachers, research and development of teaching materials, instruction on teaching methods, publication of the specialized journal “English Education for Children,” and International Communication Programs.


Of these operations, the National English Proficiency Test for Children (JAPEC English Proficiency Test for Children) provides scientifically established attainment goals by grades, and is not only an enjoyable means of giving children learning goals by motivating them to study English, but also provides a strong guiding principle for teachers involved in English language education. The JAPEC English Proficiency Test for Children is an enjoyable way to measure English language skills, and 900,000 children have participated in this test in the 40 times it has been administered. It receives high social recognition as a unique and authoritative test, and is the only recognized testing system for English proficiency for children in Japan.


Aside from this testing systems, the Association conducts important operations in line with its original purpose of assisting children to acquire communication skills through direct practice, such as by hosting International Communication Programs and domestic camps. Through these JAPEC operations, it is our hope to help resolve one of the many issues of education in Japan by having as many children as possible acquire correct and practical English, the universal language essential for cosmopolitan world citizens, and thereby foster valuable and robust human resources with potential to become successful players in the international community.

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Message from the Chairperson

Have Fun with English!

Togo Katsuaki
Chairperson
Professor Emeritus of Waseda University

Once I wondered what is crucially important for learning English. The first thing that came to mind was whether or not you are having fun with English. If your lessons are fun, if they’re not boring, you can be patient enough to continue with your work. No matter how slow your steps may be, as is often the case, “Slow and steady wins the race.”


Then, how do you think you can make your class fun? The best and only way of making your classes fun is for you teachers to be the ones who enjoy themselves. If teachers have fun teaching, learners in turn will have fun learning. They will naturally follow suit.


Our next concern is how to put your English to actual use for communication. I often hear people lamenting that they have few opportunities to use English. Although they want to speak English, chances to do that are limited and they’re likely to end up with a short exchange of words. But it seems to me that even a very short exchange of simple words can help a great deal to develop your language skills.


When there’s no one to talk to, talk to yourself. For that reason, I used to converse with myself. It might go like this:

― Hi! How are you doing?
― Oh, I’m fine, thank you. How about you?
― I can’t complain, thank you.
― How did you spend your holiday?
― Well, I didn’t do anything spectacular.
― Oh, I didn’t, either.
― I was just sitting around at home watching TV, you know,….

This is the sort of conversation you might carry on either with your neighbors or your colleagues.


In the meantime, we must realize that English is spreading so widely and quickly all over the world that English is no longer just a foreign language, but a global language serving as a “lingua franca” or a “common world language.” It is no exaggeration to say that non-native speakers of English outnumber native speakers of English, and they say that roughly one out of four people in the world use English either as their first or second language or as a foreign language. So, regardless of your linguistic or national background, the acquisition of a communicative ability in English is crucially important.


Some research shows that the younger the child is, the more easily he or she acquires the language. So, let me assure you that we provide sound and adequate English language education and your child is in our capable and caring hands.

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Message from
the Honorary Chairperson

Carolyn Graham
Honorary Chairperson

It is a great honor to be involved in the promotion of English education for Japanese
children as an Honorary Chairperson of JAPEC.

I have communicated with many people all over the world through English as an
English teacher and the founder of Jazz Chants. Especially in Japan, I have been given
numerous opportunities to meet with many teachers who are active in the promotion of
English for children. Their enthusiasm has moved me deeply.

I sincerely hope that many Japanese children who have become familiar with English
under the guidance of these teachers will be able to experience the excitement of
touching upon different cultures and the joy of communicating with people all over the
world.

Overview of JAPEC

Name of organization Nihon Jido Eigo Shinko Kyokai
Date established February 1978
English name The Japan Association for the Promotion of English for Children
Location&Phone The10th. Maida Bldg. 7F, 11-34 Toyotsu-cho, Suita-shi, Osaka 564-0051
Phone 06-6339-1262  FAX 06-6339-1050
URL: https://www.japec.jp
MAIL: info@japec.jp
Chairperson Togo Katsuaki
Honorary Chairperson Carolyn Graham
Chairperson of the Board Hino Mizuki
Business activities English Proficiency Test For Children
International Communication Programs
Training courses for English teachers
Domestic children’s camps and other activities

沿革

1978 The Japan Association for the Promotion of English for Children (JAPEC) was established.
Mr. Shunji Terachi assumed the position of Chairperson of the board.
Mr. Tadahisa Goto (a Professor Emeritus at Osaka University) became the first Chairperson.
The specialized journal “Teaching English to Children” was launched.
An English song collection “Sing for Joy” was published.
1979 Ten teachers specializing in English education for children were invited from UK.
The 1st JAPEC English Proficiency Test for Children was administered.
1980 The Japan Association for the Study of Teaching English to Children (JASTEC) was established.
Mr. Tadahisa Goto assumed the position of Chairperson of JASTEC.
1981 Mr. Shigetami Sunada (former Minister of Education) assumed the position of Chairperson.
1985 The 1st Hawaii International Camp for children was conducted.
1986 The 1st edition of “INTER JAPEC”, an information exchange magazine for teaching English to children, was published.
Ms. Aiko Anzai assumed the position of Chairperson.
“Inside Series”, a manual on English education methods for children, was published.
The 10th JAPEC English Proficiency Test for Children was administered.
1987 The 3rd Hawaii International Camp for children was conducted.
“Listening Check”, a practice material compatible with the JAPEC English Proficiency Test for Children, was published.
1988 An English song collection “Sing for Joy Again” was published.
1991 The Tokyo branch of JAPEC was established.
The 15th JAPEC English Proficiency Test for Children was administered.
1992 An international event was held with students invited to Japan from Robina Elementary School in Australia.
An International Camp for Children was conducted in Pennsylvania, USA.
1993 The Jazz Chants Study Group was founded in Osaka.
1996 “The SST Method”, an English teaching instruction manual video, was released.
The 1st Jazz Chants Seminar was held.
1998 “Englishcise”, an English teaching instruction manual video, was released.
1999 The JAPEC International Program was conducted in UK and Canada.
“Jazz Chants”, an English teaching instruction manual video, was released.
2000 The JAPEC International Program was conducted in UK, USA, and Australia.
The 5th Jazz Chants Seminar was held.
2001 The JAPEC International Program was conducted in USA and Canada.
The 25th JAPEC English Proficiency Test for Children was administered.
2002 The JAPEC International Program was conducted in USA.
The 1st JAPEC International Friendship Summer Camp was conducted in Nasu Kogen (CAMP USA) and Hachi Kogen in Japan.
2003 The JAPEC International Program was conducted in UK.
The JAPEC International Friendship Summer Camp was conducted on Kamashima Island off the coast of Okayama and Awakamogawa in Chiba.
The JAPEC Children’s e-Test was started.
2004 The JAPEC International Friendship Summer Camp was conducted in Okayama at “Hoshinosato” Biseicho.
2005 The JAPEC International Friendship Summer Camp was conducted in Yamanashi, Yamato Shizen Gakko.
The 10th Jazz Chants Seminar was held.
2006 The JAPEC International Friendship Summer Camp was conducted in Okayama at Kibikogen and in Yamanashi at Yamato Shizen Gakko.
The 30th JAPEC English Proficiency Test for Children was administered.
2007 The JAPEC International Friendship Summer Camp was conducted in Osaka at the Nose Seishonen-yagaikatsudo Center.
The 31st JAPEC English Proficiency Test for Children was administered.
2008 The JAPEC International Friendship Summer Camp was conducted in Hyogo at Awaji Seishonen-koryunoie.
The 32nd JAPEC English Proficiency Test for Children was administered.
A party was held to commemorate the 30th anniversary of JAPEC.
2009 The JAPEC International Friendship Summer Camp was conducted in Hyogo at Awaji Seishonen-koryunoie.
The 33rd JAPEC English Proficiency Test for Children was administered.
2010 A tour to Tasmania, Australia, was conducted.
The JAPEC International Friendship Summer Camp was conducted in Hyogo at Awaji Seishonen-koryunoie.
The 34th JAPEC English Proficiency Test for Children was administered.
Ms. Carolyn Graham assumed the position of Honorary Chairperson.
2011 A charity jazz concert in support of the victims of the Great East Japan Earthquake was held.
The 35th JAPEC English Proficiency Test for Children was administered.
2012 The JAPEC International Friendship Camp in Hawaii for children was conducted at YMCA Camp Erdman.
The JAPEC International Friendship Summer Camp was conducted in Okayama at Kokuritsu Kibi Seishonen-shizennoie and Seishonen-kyoiku Center Shizutani School.
The 1st Children’s English Festival in support of the victims of the Great East Japan Earthquake was held.
The 36th JAPEC English Proficiency Test for Children was administered.
2013 A tour to Tasmania, Australia, was conducted.
The JAPEC International Friendship Camp in Hawaii for children was conducted at YMCA Camp Erdman.
The JAPEC International Friendship Summer Camp was conducted in Hyogo at Awaji Seishonen-koryunoie.
The 2nd Children’s English Festival in support of the victims of the Great East Japan Earthquake was held.
The 37th JAPEC English Proficiency Test for Children was administered.
2014 A tour to Tasmania, Australia, was conducted.
The JAPEC International Friendship Camp in Hawaii for children was conducted at YMCA Camp Erdman.
The JAPEC International Friendship Summer Camp was conducted in Hyogo at Awaji Seishonen-koryunoie.
The 3rd Children’s English Festival in support of the victims of the Great East Japan Earthquake was held.
The 38th JAPEC English Proficiency Test for Children was administered.
2015 A tour to Tasmania, Australia, was conducted.
The JAPEC International Friendship Summer Camp was conducted in Hyogo at Awaji Seishonen-koryunoie.
The 4th Children’s English Festival in support of the victims of the Great East Japan Earthquake was held.
The 39th JAPEC English Proficiency Test for Children was administered.
2016 A tour to Tasmania, Australia, was conducted.
The JAPEC International Friendship Summer Camp was conducted in Hyogo at Awaji Seishonen-koryunoie.
A jazz party by Ms. Carolyn Graham was held.
The 40th JAPEC English Proficiency Test for Children was administered.
2017 A tour to Tasmania, Australia, was conducted.
The JAPEC International Friendship Summer Camp was conducted in Hyogo at Awaji Seishonen-koryunoie.
The 41th JAPEC English Proficiency Test for Children was administered.
2018 A tour to Tasmania, Australia, was conducted.
The JAPEC International Friendship Summer Camp was conducted in Hyogo at Awaji Seishonen-koryunoie.
The 42th JAPEC English Proficiency Test for Children was administered.
The 7th Children’s English Festival in support of the victims of the Great East Japan Earthquake was held.
A party was held to commemorate the 40th anniversary of JAPEC.
Tohoku Branch Office was established.
2019 A tour to Tasmania, Australia, was conducted.
The JAPEC International Friendship Summer Camp was conducted in Hyogo at Awaji Seishonen-koryunoie.
The 43th JAPEC English Proficiency Test for Children was administered.
The 8th Children’s English Festival was held.
2020 The 44th JAPEC English Proficiency Test for Children was administered.
2021 The 45th JAPEC English Proficiency Test for Children was administered.
2022 The 46th JAPEC English Proficiency Test for Children was administered.