Sometime I hear western people say, “Japanese are really poor at English conversation! You have been leaning it for six years, why are you so bad?” The Japanese person may respond; “Yes, I agree, I am poor at English”… To which the reply is often, “You have no ability to communicate”.
Japanese people are often humble about their skills, but this is certainly not one problem where humility is required. Most foreign people imagine that Japanese are poor at English because of their poor ability of communication. However it is a mistake. There are lots of people are good at communication in Japan and practically they want to communicate with other countries. Them, does this mean that Japanese people simply cannot learn English? And why is Japan so far countries where learn English?
Clearly the answer to the first question is no. In consideration for all skills of English, most people would agree that the Japanese are very good at writing and reading English. And you can find the answer to the second question by looking at the history of Japan and other Asian countries such as Malaysia, India and Singapore. Japan is often compared to neighboring countries, but historically Japan has difference from these countries. Unlike Malaysia, India and Singapore, Japan has never been colonized by English and has never had a serious need for any other language as its intranational language. Until recently there were few foreigners in Japan so Japanese people were not compelled to learn English.
Japan cultural mix has changed dramatically over the last sixty years and so has English education in Japan. Before World War II English was taught only as way to translate information from native English into Japanese. There ware few foreigners in Japan so conversation skills were not important. After World War II, many foreign people arrived in Japan. Suddenly Japanese people needed and wanted to be able to speak and listen English. English education became a focus of the Japanese classroom. The problem was being taught by teachers who did not have the skills to teach oral communication. Over time the Japanese need to use all four skills has increased and the Japanese ability to teach the skills has improved. Now English is an important part of the school curriculum. Many schools have native assistant language teachers. English is being taught not only in Junior High School and High School but also some Elementary Schools. Many people also attend private language schools. And yet the ability of Japanese people to communicate orally has not improved greatly. Where are we going wrong?
Many people think the problem is that it is not enough to study English for six years. Others think the study of grammar is emphasized in schools, at the expense of speaking and listening studies which are not regarded as important. This is not surprising given that currently university entrance examinations only focus on the student’s ability to student abilities in the classroom.
As a student I know that grammar studies are emphasized at my school and I feel my English studies are limited by other students whose skills are poor. Also in my experience many English teachers do not have the skills need to teach English effectively. So they can not make good use of plenty times we have. And other problem may include the fact that many students still do not want to learn English because they think “I don’t need English because I will not use it”.
I think there are a number of ways we can reform English education in Japan. firstly Japan should improve university examination system to include not only reading writing but also speaking and listening. Because Junior High School and High School give lessons to their students to enter University, to improve university examination will be connected with changing present education. Next, I think the English should be optional from second year high school as mathematics. That way, students who want to study English can progress, while students who don’t want to study English can concentrate on other subjects. Japan has to bring up talents who use English well similarly it should promote talents who has skills amount to foreign countries. Their skills couldn’t reach native speakers’ if they were compelled to learn English. I think all of them not necessarily to learn English. For example, Japanese politicians are not good at Speaking English. Some people say that our politicians should learn English because they represent our country on an international stage. And other countries politicians are able to use six languages. But should we leave our country to their poor English? There are many excellent interpreters who are able to translate them.
Now, Japan is in an unstable condition. : The head is forward but the body don’t go with. Education leaders want to move forward, but with out a clear path it is not possible. Japanese have always worried about how the global community evaluates their skills and are ashamed of their current English skills. People want to reform English education in Japan but we need carefully at the real problems. Only then can we really improve.
This is an excellent essay!!
I think YOU are evidence that English education in Japan is working well.
BTW
[Sometime I hear western people say, “Japanese are really poor at English conversation! You have been leaning it for six years, why are you so bad?”]
Have you really often heard this? Personally, I have only ever heard Japanese say it about themselves.
>Mr.englishman
thanks for your reading:)
I often hear ALT saying it at my school. but may be you're right.
I refered to a opinion in japan. What do you think about jpanese skill of english?
in fact Don’t foreign people think Japanese are poor at English?
5段落の最後の文大きくタイプミスでした。正しくはこちらです。
This is not surprising given that currently university entrance examinations only focus on the student’s ability to read and write. There are also those that blame the teacher’s skills and the mix of student abilities in the classroom.
I often hear that the Democratic Party of Japan says the aim for Japan is to be a bilingual country. But is that really Japan’s purpose? It is important for people to be bilingual, but it is equally important that Japan can progress in other skills to compete globally. The Japanese government needs to encourage skills and abilities in many fields. Currently, Japan is in an unstable condition: The Japanese government is trying to push the country forward, but the country is being slow to react. One area that the government is trying to reform is English education. Presently the English education system is not able to improve English skills effectively.
It is said that the Japanese are really poor at English conversation when compared to other Asian countries. Japan is often considered the worst country at English conversation. Foreign people doubt Japanese skills are so bad, because most Japanese have had to study English for at least six years. They are surprised when they cannot have a conversation in English with a Japanese person.
Is it possible Japanese people simply cannot learn English? And why is Japan so far behind other countries when it comes to learning English? Clearly the answer to the first question is no. In consideration of all English skills, most people would agree that the Japanese are very good at writing and reading English. And you can find the answer to the second question by looking at Japanese history. Japan is often compared to neighboring countries such as Malaysia, India and Singapore, but historically there is an important difference between Japan and these countries. Japan has never been colonized by a European country and has never had a serious need for any other language as its ‘intranational’ language. Until recently there were few foreigners in Japan, so Japanese people were not compelled to learn English.
Japanese people have always been reforming their English education to master English conversation. Before World War II English was taught as way to translate information from native English into Japanese. After World War II, Japan needed English conversation skills when many foreign people arrived in Japan. After that, oral communication class was introduced into English education. The problem was it was being taught by teachers who did not have the skills to teach oral communication. English education has changed greatly since then. Now many schools have native assistant language teachers. English is being taught not only in Junior High School and High School but also some Elementary Schools.
However, the ability of Japanese people to communicate orally has not improved greatly. Where are we going wrong? Many people think the problem is that students do not study English for long enough. Others think the study of grammar is emphasized in schools, at the expense of speaking and listening studies which are not regarded as important. This is not surprising given that currently university entrance examinations only focus on the student’s ability to read and write.
As a student I know that grammar studies are emphasized at my school and teachers seem unable to teach English effectively because they have to teach their students the English required to successfully enter university. They can not make good use the time we have. Another problem may be mix of student abilities in the classroom. Many students still do not want to learn English because they think will never need or use English.
I think there are two methods that would be effective for reforming English education in Japan. Firstly, Japan should change the university entrance examination system to include speaking and listening. Without changing the university exams, the schools will not change. The connection between Junior High School and Senior High School curriculum and university exams is clear. Next, I think the English should be an optional subject from second year high school. That way, students who want to study English can progress, while students who don’t want to study English can concentrate on other subjects. Japan has to encourage the talent people of those who use English well and similarly it should promote talented people in other fields. I do not think it is necessary for everybody to learn English. For example, Japanese politicians are not good at Speaking English. Some people say that our politicians should learn English because they represent our country internationally and other countries politicians are able to use six languages. But should we leave our country to their poor English? There are many excellent interpreters who are able to translate for them. It is a very difficult task to change the teaching of English into an optional subject. But if we do not, we may not be able to keep up with globalization some day.
Now that we are no longer an isolated nation, we need to reform our country and our English education. When we clearly establish our position, we can advance to our purpose.