The Problem of the “Third Term” in Elementary Schools

Abstract

In the kokugo class of elementary school, first we teachers have to lead our pupils to find fun in reading stories. But this preliminary step is not enough to develop their reading ability. So next we must try to direct the pupils’ attention to the way of narrating in each story so that they can see the power of language to form the world. Finally, if possible, we may give them an opportunity to be aware of the existence of something outside the system of language, a certain excess called the “third term” that subverts any way of reading.