Post by Otaku on Jan 15, 2008 14:37:53 GMT 8
I will refrain from posting my 1 million comebacks to this article but feel free to respond.
Sunday, March 17, 2002
English speakers too arrogant
By TAKASHI UEDA
Hiroshima - "When I was a high school student, the United States and Britain were among the nations I wanted to visit someday because we were told that these countries were ideal in terms of natural resources and human capabilities. So, possessed by a sort of idealism, I began to learn English earnestly. But as Tetsuya Okamoto pointed out in his Feb. 27 letter, "Japanese can teach English, too," native speakers of English can be too arrogant. They look down on the language efforts of Japanese, asking, "Why can't you speak English after studying it for more than 10 years?"
Although English is practically the international language, not all native English speakers are international people. I wish that all native English speakers in Japan would be more sensitive and considerate in dealing with Japanese learners of English. Many of the native speakers I know are respectable and cooperative; they are intent on learning Japanese and understanding the feelings of the Japanese learners. If we can develop friendly and competitive relationships with each other -- in the real sense of internationalization -- Japanese and native teachers of English will get along better with each other.
The opinions expressed in this letter to the editor are the writer's own and do not necessarily reflect the policies of The Japan Times."
search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/rc20020317a1.htm
Sunday, March 17, 2002
English speakers too arrogant
By TAKASHI UEDA
Hiroshima - "When I was a high school student, the United States and Britain were among the nations I wanted to visit someday because we were told that these countries were ideal in terms of natural resources and human capabilities. So, possessed by a sort of idealism, I began to learn English earnestly. But as Tetsuya Okamoto pointed out in his Feb. 27 letter, "Japanese can teach English, too," native speakers of English can be too arrogant. They look down on the language efforts of Japanese, asking, "Why can't you speak English after studying it for more than 10 years?"
Although English is practically the international language, not all native English speakers are international people. I wish that all native English speakers in Japan would be more sensitive and considerate in dealing with Japanese learners of English. Many of the native speakers I know are respectable and cooperative; they are intent on learning Japanese and understanding the feelings of the Japanese learners. If we can develop friendly and competitive relationships with each other -- in the real sense of internationalization -- Japanese and native teachers of English will get along better with each other.
The opinions expressed in this letter to the editor are the writer's own and do not necessarily reflect the policies of The Japan Times."
search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/rc20020317a1.htm