Regarding the Feb. 10 Kyodo article "Former JETs defend program": Japan must get away from the teaching-by-osmosis style that the Japan Exchange and Teaching Program seems to be part of. Other countries around the world are demanding a thorough English education, and so should Japan. Having a university graduate play a few games is no substitute for a methodical system of learning authentic English, which is what Japan is sorely lacking.
Emphasis needs to be placed on day-to-day communication and on business English — the language of negotiation. This can only be done with someone who is trained to teach this in an easy and methodical way. Time to invest money more wisely.
michael forde