Japan is currently in the process of expanding English education for young learners from the 5th and 6th grade to include the 3rd and 4th grades. The methodology most often used is that of learning the ABC's. Phonics on the other hand can teach young learners more than just sight recognition but also recognition in the differing sounds each letter or groups of letters make. The English level of Japanese students has been declining overall while at the same time English education has been expanding.