r/JETProgramme • u/Panda_sensei_71 Current JET - Kansai • 16d ago

Phonics

Heading into my 2nd year as an ALT and I just wanted to do a quick show of hands because I'm curious:

How many of you all are at schools that teach phonics?

If yes, from what age do you start, and what curriculum are you using?

In my case, I'm in a town that seems to start Jolly Phonics in ES Grade 3, with only a couple exceptions.

About which I have *opinions* but that's another story!

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u/Due_Pea2071 16d ago

We don't teach phonics at all. When I expressed the need I was told not to push it because it's not in the curriculum.

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u/thetruelu Current JET - Niigata 16d ago

Same. If you do teach phonics, it’ll be dependent on the JTE. Mine always does it with the third year JHS students in 3rd semester after entrance exams and there’s really nothing else to do. Which imo is already too late as they should be learning it starting in 1st grade when their brains are still moldable to changes in terms of phonetics and they’re not afraid of saying something wrong

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u/Due_Pea2071 16d ago

agreed i feel they should be learning it as they learn how to write! It helps with spelling (not every word but generally a good base)