Repost: Why are Japanese so Bad in English?

This article caught my attention in Japan Today's website. The writer made some valid points why Japanese are bad in English.

Why are Japanese so bad at English?

by Ken Seeroi

TOKYO —Everyone knows Japanese people aren’t exactly Masters of the Universe when it comes to speaking English, despite receiving six years of English education. Six years? Are you kidding? You could build yourself a Great Pyramid in less time. I’m pretty sure. Just chop up some limestone and stack it up. Probably take you a couple of years at best.

So many English words have entered the Japanese vocabulary that even the crustiest old dude with a plow can cobble together enough of a sentence to get his point across. For younger people, the breadth of vocabulary is astonishing. By graduation, every high school kid knows a couple thousand English (or English-esque) words, easily enough to hold a conversation. Give them a vocabulary test and they’d pass it. So why can’t they speak?

Grammar certainly isn’t the reason. Sure, they leave a trail of discarded articles and particles like Sherman going through Georgia, but so what? Ken also be making some crazy ungrammatical sentences and people still be understanding him. No grammar? Hey, that be no problem.

Shyness? That’s a well-worn excuse, but I’ve known enough Japanese bosses (not to mention spouses), to know that Japanese people can be assertive to the point of terrifying when they want to be. Fear of sounding like an idiot? Sure, but it’s no worse in Japan than anywhere else. A culture of conformity? That’s just more well-worn mantra about Japan that people repeat too readily. So why all the muteness? There’s certainly a number of factors, but I’ve come up with a solid five:

Three Curricular Reasons Why Japanese People Can’t Speak English

1. Inadequate reinforcement of the lessons

It’s not that the grammar-translation method doesn’t work, it’s that it’s not backed up by something more. School students get a lesson once a week if they’re lucky, for less than an hour. That lesson explains grammar and introduces vocabulary. And then . . . whooosh, you might as well send them to Siberia. Japanese kids have tons of words and a smattering of grammar, but no examples of how to use the stuff in action. They need reinforcement: real-world materials showing the variety of ways in which words are actually used. There’s no reading program, no opportunities for conversation or presentation, no schedule for watching movies. The grammar explanation isn’t the problem. It’s that it isn’t rounded out with further study.

2. Classroom control

Now, if you’re a teacher, you can probably relate to this. Traditional, lecture-centric teaching requires everyone to shut up and pay attention to you. It’s just that there’s a fine line between classroom control and turning your class into a mini-prison. Shut everyone up too much and you can’t restart them.

From a student perspective, too, there’s a tendency to avoid doing anything that even remotely approximates work. Remember being a student? Man, I sure do. The last thing I wanted to do was, well, anything. I just wanted my teacher to leave me alone so I could go back to reading G.I. Joe comics and daydreaming about jumping out the window. And that was in college.

These combined forces create a situation in which the teacher is speaking, everyone is nice and quiet, but nobody is listening. The message is being lost, and little learning is happening. It’s like teaching someone to swim by giving them weekly lectures on swimming. This situation exists in schools around the world, and unfortunately, does little to prepare people for the act of speaking. It’s certainly not unique to Japan. Some teachers just use too much stick and not enough carrot. At the risk losing some classroom control, it wouldn’t kill you to get people out of their seats and actually interacting with each other.

3. Inadequate practice

Students learn, but they don’t get to apply their knowledge. According to self-proclaimed linguistic savant K. Seymore of The Skill of Speaking Fluent Japanese, speaking requires skill, not just information. Kind of like how I’m the greatest basketball player ever with a remote in one hand and a can of beer in the other. There’s a huge difference between knowing what to do and actually being able to do it. Put somebody face-to-face with another human being and all sorts of things happen to their brain. They sweat, blank out, pee their pants. It’s not always good. You gotta practice for that.

Reference: http://www.japantoday.com/category/opinions/view/why-are-japanese-so-bad-at-english

As an ALT, I agree with the curricular reasons the writer gave especially with number 2. Seriously, the Japanese English teachers need some EFL teacher training. Without sounding arrogant, I have yet to see a Japanese English teacher who effectively knows how to teach English. There is no right or wrong in teaching- just effective and ineffective ones.

(Click here for more on Japanese Schools) 

The JTE's conduct their classes in Japanese. When something is in English, they want the students to translate it in Japanese even as simple as the words fly, get, walk, etc.They spoon-feed the students by supplying all the answers to them. The "pattern" for the day's lesson should be followed even if it's inappropriate to use anymore. And finally, the teachers are the ones speaking most of the times. So it's not surprising why these Japanese students have bad English.

(For more on teaching in Japan, click here.)

As I've mentioned in a couple of entries here in my blog, something has to change within the system. But with the Japanese so set in their ways, I doubt these necessary changes will be coming soon. 

Brush, Brush, Three Times a Day: Personal Hygiene in Japan

I remembered a TV commercial jingle that goes "Brush, brush, three times a day. Brush, brush to keep the cavities away..." This jingle popped in my mind while staring (covertly) at a teacher brushing his teeth. In the staff room. Yes, he was brushing his teeth in the staff room where all other teachers are. And, he is talking to three students. So to give a complete picture, a male Japanese teacher is brushing his teeth while in the staff room while talking to three students.

photo credit: http://bestclipartblog.com/22-teeth-clip-art.html/teeth-clipart-5

I was grossed out the first time I saw this sight. Then I eventually got used to the sight of teachers brushing their teeth while on their desks, along the hallway and even in the classroom.Teachers with toothbrushes in hand is a common sight after lunch in school. For people of other cultures, this may seem odd- brushing one's teeth in public. Ironically, for the Japanese people who are very reserved, brushing teeth in public is no big deal. 

Teachers would check papers while brushing, they would talk to students while brushing, they would walk in the hallway while brushing, they would give instructions while brushing. It seems that time is too precious for a few minutes of brushing teeth in private. 

And this is not only in brushing, cutting nails and cleaning one's ears are acceptable things to do in public. In the school where I work, each class has their own nail cutter. It is proudly displayed on a hook near the door. Students can use it whenever they think they need a cut.

Then there's ear cleaning.  There are two teachers in my school who always clean their ears on their desks.I don't know why they can't do in their homes or in the toilet. So far, I haven't seen any student clean their ears, thank God. 

I'm not the type of person who is not easily grossed out. I'm just puzzled why these Japanese do their personal hygiene in public. So far, I haven't heard about people from other countries that are like this.It must be a cultural thing. If it is, it's not really very pleasing. 

Indoor Shoes Craze: Footwear in Japan

In Japan, any footwear used outdoors is not welcome indoors. This helps minimizing dirt from the outside.

I have two indoor shoes in the school where I worked. As soon as I enter the school building every morning, I have to take of my outdoor shoes and changed to my indoor ones. Then a different pair of shoes should be worn in the gym. In some schools, toilet slippers should be worn when using the - toilet. In fact, all schools have a "shoe changing" section for students and for teachers. 

Office workers wearing leather shoes and heels also change to comfortable indoor footwear once in the office.

indoor house slippers
Photo Credit: http://www.toboc.com/qdsunchic/company-products.aspx

In every Japanese home, you'll find lots of indoor slippers for guests. It is certainly disrespectful to wear outside footwear inside a host's house. 

Even in the fitness club where I work out regularly, I have to use my sports shoes exclusively indoors. Repeatedly wearing outdoor shoes indoors is a ground for membership expulsion. 

Most shopping malls do not allow outdoor shoes in the fitting rooms. Some malls provide "fitting room" shoes while others would simply advise you to remove your shoes. 

There were even a few restaurants that do not allow outdoor footwear. Customers must change to the slippers provided by the place. 

Even in footwear, the Japanese reflects their very "specific" mind-  that there is a particular thing for every particular situation. 

Help Me, Please!: Being Helpful in Japan

I have been pushing a big TV along the school's hallways for a week. I needed it to project a powerpoint presentation in most of my classes. Although it's on a cart with wheels, it was still heavy to push. For a week that I have been pushing it in almost every class, no student tried to extend help. When I pass, they would just move away. Some would totally ignore me. And then there are also some students whom I need to raise my voice to move away. (With that big TV, I think it's common sense to unblock the way.)

(See more on Japanese Children here)

I find the student's unhelpful behavior puzzling. These are the same students who would fetch me at the teacher's room and carry my things, (usually just a book and some light materials). Casually, I asked a teacher who also uses the TV if students help her. She said if the students knows that the'll be using the TV, they would get it for her and set it up in the room. If not, she said she manages on her own. This behavior is odd to me. For me, it's about being helpful even if you don't know. I mean seriously who plans to open and close doors for people who have full hands? Who plans to help lift a heavy load of others? Things like this just happen. You just have to be willing to extend some little help when a need arise. But the Japanese think otherwise. 

HELP!
photo credit: http://www.illustrationsof.com/99647-royalty-free-help-clipart-illustration

A Japanese friend who lived in the US for several years explained that Japanese people tend to help when you asked them for it. This is not being 'unhelpful' for them. This is actually 'saving your face.' Japanese people are hesitant to extend help, especially to foreigners, because the person being helped might feel embarrassed. However, once you ask for their help they will do their best to help you out. I totally agree with this. Everytime I would ask someone on the street for directions, he/she would really try to find a way to show me the way or get me there. Sometimes even if they don't know the way, they would really do their best to find someone who can help me. The key is to ask for help. Once you ask for their help, it becomes their responsibility to help you. 

(More on Japanese Culture, here.)

As for the students who carry my things, they are actually class leaders who have the responsibility to help the teachers. They help me out not because they like me or because they are helpful. So their being 'helpful' and 'unhelpful' does not really mean anything. It's just part of their job. Again, it is their responsibility to help you. 

This concept of helping contrasts with how I was raised. Helping is not a responsibility. It is an option. People who help are just kind enough to lend a hand. If no one is kind enough, no one will help. But if someone is, you will just be grateful that someone is there even without you asking. On the other hand, the Japanese concept of helping focuses on the one who needs help. If you have the guts, ask for help. If not, bear your own burden. You're lucky if someone is responsible to help you. You're unlucky if someone asks for your help in difficult situation. They become your responsibility.

So as for me, the next time I'll need the TV, I'll certainly ask for help from the class leaders. I think it's a simple thing to ask with no pride at stake. Also, it's their responsibility to help. 

What Happened to Shizuka?: Doraemon's Henti Version

I didn't realize the extent of henti anime in Japan until last week. I was browsing the net in search for images of Shizuka of Doraemon. I need a picture of her for a lesson. Then came the third page of the search results. I was surprised to find a naked Shizuka smiling innocently while sitting on the edge of a tub suggestively. I got curious so I clicked the picture and voila! Right before my eyes is Shizuka's nude body in a larger frame. The  image was from a henti site. I had to close it right away cause I was in school. I don't want to be accused of browsing porn sites.

Shizuka, a young nice girl in Doraemon
photo credit: http://doraemon.wikia.com/wiki/File:Shizuka.gif

I should have stopped there but I didn't. I viewed the search results again and found more images of Shizuka as an adult with Nobita. There was even one with Doraemon. On the first glance, it looked hilarious. But I also thought what kind of people would think of turning Shizuka, a young nice girl in an anime for kids, into a porn star. I was also wondering why would they want to pair her up with Doraemon, a robot cat? I think Suneo and Gian would be more acceptable.

Nobita and Shizuka
photo credit: http://rajadankuda.blogspot.jp/2011_02_01_archive.html

I shouldn't have been really shocked. Back in high school, some of my guy classmates share henti mangas. The only henti scene I have seen is that a sexual encounter between Dennis and Vincent of Ghost Fighter. It just looked grossly funny to me that I didn't become curious of searching for more henti anime.

Doraemon main cast
photo credit: http://the-gewos.blogspot.jp/2009/06/doraemon-cat-robot-from-22d-century.html

But even with my age now, I am still surprised with what I saw. I'm not naive, just really really surprised. Without sounding condescending, I think turning young girls (and boys) into lustful objects is not good. Who in their right mind would look lustfully on young ones? More so, why would you even think about it?

Also, I think the proliferation of henti manga and anime in Japan is a manifestation of sexual problems. Could it be that in Japan's very polite society, men and women resort a lot to sexual fanstasies bordering to perversion?  I'm just guessing and trying to play psychologist.

As I have stated, I was shocked that the anime characters I grew up have henti counterparts. If I'm going to be deep and philosophical about it, I would say that a part of my childhood felt violated. At the same time, I can also commend the creator of Doraemon's henti version for being (perversely) creative. But I am still shocked and I know I would't look at Doraemon, Nobita and Shizuka the same way as before.

New Year's Wish in Japan: Kakizome

"Kakizome (書き初め, literally "first writing") is a Japanese term for the first calligraphy written at the beginning of a year, traditionally on January 2."

- Wikipedia

Kakizomes
photo credit: http://japankalligrafia.hu/book/export/html/372

After the winter break, the classrooms are decorated with white paper scrolls with Japanese characters on them. They are called kakizome. Based on how I understood the students explanation to me, their kakizomes are like personal prayers for the coming year. It is personal but applicable to a lot of people. It is not something like a Christmas wish. It's deeper than that.

(See more New Year tradtions in Japan here)

Taking advantage of the displays, I asked the students to try to translate their kakizomes in English. 

Here are some of the kakizome's of students: 

1. I wish for a clean heart and pure heart. (Special Ed. student)

2. I wish for a beautiful land. (First year student)

3. I wish for peace in the nation. (Third year student)

4. I wish for prosperity and richness to all people. (Third year student)

5. I wish for an enjoyable school life for all students. (Second year)

6. I wish for harmony and friendship among people. (Second year)

7. I wish for safety of Japan. (First year student)

8. I wish for clear mind and healthy body to all students. (Second year)

The list could go on (since there are hundreds of students in the school.) but I was just struck by the depth of these students's wishes. Even the naughty and rowdy students wrote serious kakizomes. I like this better than writing New Year`s resolutions. It seems a more positive way to start the year. It is also a very unselfish way to wish for everyone's welfare. I wished I could have written my own kakizome. How about you, what would be your kakizome this year? 

For more on Kakizome: 

1. http://japankalligrafia.hu/book/export/html/372

2. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kakizome

3. http://traditionscustoms.com/lifestyle/kakizome

My New Year in Japan: New Year Traditions in Japan

New Year celebrations back home have always been a grand, noisy, multi-colored event. Fireworks and firecrackers are just about everywhere. This New Year's celebration was so far from what I was used to. It was solemn and quiet. Since I am already in Japan, I decided to celebrate New Year the Japanese way.

Here's how I spent my New Year in Japan:

1. Seen the last sunset at Lake Hamana

last sunset of 2012 at Lake Hamana

Japanese have this thing for nature and the environment that the last sunset of the year is significant to them. My boyfriend and I braved the bone-chilling wind and marched to Lake Hamana. There's a torii there in the middle of the water. We had hoped to see the sunset in the middle of the torii but we weren't that lucky. Nonetheless, it was a sight to see a beautiful sunset together with other Japanese people.

2. Watched a famous TV show during the night

Determined to have an authentic Japanese New Year, we also watched a famous New Year's eve program where Japanese performers sang the night away with popular songs. We didn't understand the songs, what the hosts were saying or why the people were laughing. The colorful performances were enough to hold out attention. It was also a good way to add a dose of revelry to our two-person-and-quiet-surroundings New Year's eve.

3. Ate noodles before 12:00 midnight

ramen for long life on New Year's eve

Japanese eat soba noodles during New Year. Eating noodles is a like having faith to have long life. Since I don't know how to cook noodles, we went to the nearest Ramen house. It wasn't soba that we ate but it's still noodles though.

4. Went to the temple

ringing the temple bell at New Year's eve

temple bell at daytime

temple proper at day time

At 12 midnight, the temple bells around Japan rang. We walked to the nearest temple and fell in line along with other Japanese. It was a line for people who would like to ring the bell. Before ringing the bell, I dropped a coin in the donation box and hit the bell. (It felt like hitting because the bell was so big.) I imitated the person before me by putting my hands together and saying a little wish.

Then we went to the temple proper. We saw a lot of people taking some paper like fortune cookies. I would like to get one but they were written in Japanese. We went back again to the temple in the morning just to see how the temples are different at night and at day time. Visiting temples or shrines on New Year is called Hatsumode

5. Watched the first sunrise at Nakatajima Sand Dunes

first sunrise of 2013 at Nakatajima Sand Dunes
photo credit: http://www.inhamamatsu.com/recommend/cat/Hatsumode-hatsuhinode.php

If the last sunset was significant the first sunrise of the year was even more important. Even though the temperature already felt like negative, we went with other Japanese to Nakatajima Sand Dunes to witness the first sunrise. There were a lot of people but the atmosphere was reverently quiet. II When the sun started to rise, people took out their cameras and recorded it. I felt reflective with the ocean wind touching my face, the people looking awed and the amazing view. It was actually a moving experience and I would have cried if not for the constant chill.

6. Shop! Shop! Shop!

trying on shoes on sale

I think the most fun thing about New Year in Japan is the New Year sale. Clothes, shoes and bags are slashed by 50 to 70 percent. My boyfriend had a grand time buying sports shoes. He bought four pairs of Nike for only 10,000 Yen! My aunt in Tokyo also mentioned that she bought about 10 pairs of jeans for only 50 yen each. I bough 2 bags for only 500 yen each. And they are all brand new bags.

I love how cultural New Year in Japan is. I think the best word to describe the Japanese way of celebrating New Year is reverent. Maybe it has something to do with the sunsets, sunrises and temple bells. Even without fanfare, New Year celebration in Japan felt like I was really marking the end of the past year and starting a new one. It was refreshingly solemn. 

Don't Burp, Just Fart: Table Manners in Japan

My friends and I were eating ramen when suddenly one of us burped. It wasn't a big one but loud enough for people beside us to hear. There were four people on the next table and they all glared at us. I can feel their eyes condemning us. One of my friends who has been living here for several years now quickly apologized and bowed to the people in the next table. The other customers tilted their heads and hurriedly finish their ramen. In less than 5 mninutes, they were gone.

Japanese eating ramen
photo credit: http://closetdomesticbunny.blogspot.jp/2012/02/nao-miso-ramen.html

I learned that night that Japanese has an aversion with burping. You can fart but never burp in the restaurant. My friend even told me that some customers would request that you leave the restaurant when you burped loudly. I find this insane since burping is natural when you eat a lot. I'd rather hear a burp than smell a fart while eating. Also, why would be burping impolite when Japanese slurp loudly on their food? My friend doesn't know the rationale. It's just the way things are. 

In Japan, here are also other things to observe when eating. 

1. Before eating Japanese say "Itadaikimasu" with palms together. They don't pray before eating. 

2. The more loudly you eat, the better. Eating sounds indicate appreciation for food. I personally find this gross but what can I do it's just the way things are. 

3. Finish everything served to you as much as possible. I know this sounds universal and not uniquely Japanese. However, it is rude not to eat everything on your plate even if you don't like it. If you don't like something on your platter, give it to someone who likes it before you take a bit out of it. 

4. Clean up when you eat out. In fast food such as Mc Donalds and Burger King, you have to clean your table and throw your trash before you leave. In restaurants, stack your plates together on the table and wipe stains that can be removed with napkins. 

5. End the meal with "Gochisou-sama" in the same way you started with "itadaikimasu."

Also don't ever burp!

Coffee Women and Tea Women: Filipino Women vs. Japanese Women

The title of this article can be misleading. I am not trying to pit Filipinas and Japanese women against each other. I just want to contrast how these two Asian women,  who have an intertwined history, differ from each other. I don't even intend to point who is better or worse. These are just curious observations.

               

1. Filipinas are laugh-out-loud type; Japanese women are all-smiles type

Filipinas are noisy. We love to talk, giggle and guffaw. We love hilarity no matter what the situation is. When a group of Filipinas come together, expect endless chatter, exchange of jokes and nonsense noise. And seriously, Filipinas laugh and talk more than smile. When we meet someone we know expect a small chitchat whether it's a man or woman, young or old. It seems that a friendly smile is usually not enough. 

On the other hand, Japanese women always seem to smile and never really laugh. I've been here a few months and I have never heard a Japanese woman laugh loudly. And for some reason, when they talk, they talk in a quiet manner with little noise. And they always seem to smile whatever the situation is- even if it's just mundane as asking for the key. 

2. Filipinas find something to complain about; Japanese women find everything all right

When Filipinas talk, we would usually find something to complain about- from our seemingly unkempt hair to how politicians run the country, from the heavy traffic to the our telenovela-like lovelife. We just love to complain. I think we feel closer to each other when we complain about common things. 

Japanese women seem to take everything to be fine- at least on the surface. Their agreeable faces can fool anyone who thinks everything is fine. According to some Japanese I've talked with, Japanese women will always said that everything is okay even if it's not. They have the tendency to just sweep things under the rug.  

3. Filipinas barely dress; Japanese women ALWAYS dress up

This is not to say that Filipinas are not fashionable. We are just minimalist when it comes to dressing up. The more natural the look the better. Malls and other establishments are full of women in shorts and beach sandals paired with sleeveless tops or simple shirts. We go for the comfortable look. Our fashion sense, in fact, will be deemed too comfortable in Japan. 

Japanese women love to dress up. And this means, wearing fake long lashes, stockings with ribbons, thick make-up and high-heeled shoes even when they're just going to the mall. I always feel my clothes are trashy and drab when I go malling here. I've also learned that a lot of them even go to the salon before going to the mall. All I can say is "Wow, where do they get the time to dress up?" And maybe when they dress up like that in the Philippines, people would silently ask "What party are you attending?"

4. Filipinas are coffee-women; Japanese are tea-women

I like to end with this contrast cause I think it captures the essential difference between Filipinas and Japanese women. Japanese women seem to be more delicate compared to Filipinas. They are like a fragile tea cup with Filipinas like a strong coffee mug. I don't know if this also applies beyond the physical and the manners. It's just like Japanese women have the word FEMININE written all over them while Filipinas have the word SASSY painted all over. 

As I have stated, no type of woman is better than the other. The way women behave is largely cultural and social in nature. I just think that Filipina women should sometimes tone down their sassiness especially when they are in another country while I hope that Japanese women would learn to be more open with what they truly feel. And oh, less make up please!

The Aka-chans: Children in Japan

There were a hundred babies in the school gym today. The 3rd year students took care of them for around two hours. The students played, fed and put the babies to sleep. They tried to keep the babies smiling. Some were successful and some looked like they had difficulty in carrying the babies and taking care of them. But all of the students I talked with agree with one thing- the babies are so cute!

photo credit: http://spencerandkylie.blogspot.jp/2009/08/when-in-rome.html

Japanese babies are really cute. All of the babies I saw today have chinky eyes and fat cheeks. They have the kind of cheeks I would like to pinch again and again. They are all on the chubby side. I don't think all babies are chubby because I saw a lot of skin-thin babies back in the Philippines. But well this is Japan, they go to great lengths to ensure babies, and children, are healthy. Must be because of the shrinking population.

In fact, within a few months that I've been here, I learned that...

1.) The greatest crime anyone can commit in Japan is harming a child. Forget your life if you killed a child whether accidentally or not. It also doesn't matter if the child is partly to blame. 

2.) When a baby is born, he or she will receive a cash gift from the government.

3.) Train and bus fares for children are half the price. Some establishments also slash their prices in half for children customers.  

4.) As much as possible, do not reprimand a child. For Japanese teachers, they think that the students are quite emotionally delicate.

5.) As much as possible do not wake up a sleeping child in class. Yes, most teachers allow students to sleep in class. 

In simple terms, the child, and not the Emperor, is the most important citizen in Japan. I just hope that these Japanese children will realize how the Japanese society put a premium on them unlike other countries that neglect the youngest population. I hope they realize that they were cute and chubby babies once because they were well taken care of.