The popularity of English in early foreign language teaching is a global phenomenon. Parents and policymakers in Europe are eager to expose young children to a foreign language, which is usually English (De Houwer, 2015). Likewise, in Japan, English is the de facto foreign language subject in schools (Sakamoto, 2012). The introduction of English education in lower elementary grades and the use of English examination scores to enter schools or universities or gain employment has made English more important than ever. These educational policies motivate many Japanese parents to send their children for English lessons or enroll them in English preschools or after-school programs. Attending an international school is a definite way to acquire high English proficiency, but not every family can afford the high tuition.

英语在早期外语教学中的普及是一个全球现象。欧洲的父母和政策制定者渴望让幼儿接触一门外语，通常是英语（De Houwer，2015 年）。同样，在日本，英语实际上是学校的外语科目（Sakamoto，2012 年）。在小学低年级引入英语教育以及使用英语考试成绩进入学校或大学或就业，使英语比以往任何时候都更加重要。这些教育政策促使许多日本父母送孩子去上英语课，或让他们参加英语学前班或课后课程。就读国际学校是获得高英语水平的明确途径，但并非每个家庭都能负担得起高昂的学费。