In
Japan, Japanese is the first language and most of the people’s second language
is English. The majority of people in Japan do not start learning English until
they are 10 years old or when they enter Junior High school.[1]
However, the English education in Japan does not seem very successful. Even
though children start learning English once they start junior high school and
last for until the third year of high school, it is clear that most of the
students still could not use English properly. Also, compare to other Asian
countries, Japan always rank the lowest in IELTS and TOFEL exams.[2]
So why
is this happen especially in Japan? One of the reasons is because the educators
mostly focus on the skill of reading and writing, and always neglect the
importance of listening and speaking English. Also, there are not many chances
for Japanese to apply their English skills very often.[3]
Same as
other countries, the reason for Japanese to learn English is globalization. Because
of globalization, the demand of English skills has been increased. English is
already the global lingua franca and it is essential to be able to understand
English. So why does Japanese interested in learning another foreign language?
Is that because of globalization again? Well, in order for me to understand
more about this topic, I have asked some of my Japanese classmates. Most of
them started to learn their third or fourth language because they are
interested in the language’s culture and tradition or they have influenced by
something like friends or the events of the language’s country[4].
It is
clear that most of us here learn English because we need to. We heard from the
society that without the skills of understanding English, it is harder to get a
job or a better future. We are forced to learn. However, in Japan, this does
not seem to apply for language other than English. Japanese think that learning
a foreign language other than English can help them broaden their horizons and
also understand more about their own language. Learning a second language is
not only learning about the language itself, but also the culture, history and traditions
of the language’s country.[5]
[1] Abe, N. (n.d.). English language education in japan. Retrieved from http://japanese.about.com/od/japanesecultur1/a/070100.htm
[2] Hashimoto, S. (2004, June). Foreign language education in japan:. Policy forum: global approaches to plurilingual education, Strasbourg.
[3] Abe, N
[4] Interview with Shunya, Shoko, Yukako and Miyu
[5] Ibid
[6] Why learn languages? 2011, World Languages and Culture, accessed 12July 2012, http://www.vistawide.com/languages/why_languages.htm (a quote from an Italian film director)
Is Japanese ranking for TOEIC low as well? I`ve heard IELTs is not that preferred by Japanese. You mentioned Japanese do not really have opportunity to apply their English. Could I have more explanations about this?
ReplyDeleteAs I said in above, Japanese only focus on reading and writing skills. There is less opportunity for them to apply the usage of speaking skills as in Japan, people mainly speak in Japanese. Unless people go to study aboard, then they will be able to practise their speaking skills.
DeleteUnlike Japanese, most korean learn third or fourth language for competitiveness of employing. So they tend to learn Chinese or Japanese that has competitiveness in work place.
ReplyDeleteThat's interesting. I have asked Sean about the second language aquisition in Korea the other day because I was trying to find out which country I want to talk about next. However, he gave me different opinion than yours. He told me that not many Korean would like to learn another language rather than English unless people want to go study abroad or they go to the forign language high school. Even for English, they learn it just because for competitive in employment in the future. It is interesting to see the different side of opinion from Koreans about how they view second language acquisition! I might be looking at Korea for me next blog entry then!
Deletei think that is only for junior high school students. When people trying to get a job, more ability of speaking foreign language gives a lot of advantages. So most people try to learn mot only the English but also other foreign languages.
DeleteHaHa, job finder should have abilities to be employed. past 5 years ago, english ability is only enough to be employed but these days they are needed to have another language for competitiveness. companies are looking for the worker who companies use for negotiation with other countries companies.
ReplyDeleteDo you think another reason Japanese don't do as well in English as people from other Asian countries might be because of a sort of "national character" thing? Does it seem to you that Japanese are shyer and more reserved and don't like to speak up in front of people so much? Maybe the students of IR/GS are more "out there" than the usual Japanese persons, though.
ReplyDelete"A different language is a different vision of life" - I love that quote! It's sure been true for my life.
Good point Lilia! I think this might be one of the reasons too. AS I said before,Japanese people have less chances to speak English as they mostly focus on reading and writing ability. And that's why they are lack of confident to speak up infront of people. From what I have been noticing by studying in Australia and Japan, I realised that Japanese who went for study aboard are mostly open minded and intend to speak more.
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