Post by Otaku on Apr 9, 2008 9:04:04 GMT 8
Do you think Japan's English textbooks should contain topics and cultures outside of English speaking countries?
I usually wouldn't think it was a big concern until I realized many English textbooks in Japan like to talk about things specific to Japan culture. I understand that being able to explain your own culture in another language could prove beneficial but not when students can't even hold basic English conversations outside of Japan-specific topics.
I can almost imagine how a hypothetical English conversation might go if a JHS student actually went to an English speaking country:
E-student: Hey, what's goin' on?
J-student: ‚¦‚¦‚ÆA‚Ç‚ñ‚¾‚¯...hello.
E-student: Whatcha' doin'?
J-student: I'm fine, thank you. And, you?
E-student: Whaaa... Nevermind, it's not important. Me and my friends are going to the park to play some baseball. Wanna come?
J-student: ......
E-student: uuuuhhh...do you like baseball?
J-student: ah! I like Ichiro bery much.
E-student: Whaa.. Nevermind, do you want to play baseball with us?
J-student: Yes, I do. I like catch ball.
E-student: Whaa...? Catch ball?? Whatz that?
J-student: ‚¦‚¦‚¦‚¦‚Æ...à–¾‚Ì‚ªƒ€ƒŠ‚¾‚æIŽö‹Æ‚ª‚È‚¢‚Ì‚ÅI
E-student: Whaa...? Nevermind, I'll catch ya later!
J-student: No...catch ball.
Beyond pleasantries, I would dare argue the average JHS student is lost in an English conversation. I'm not trying to bash Japanese students because I understand students are only as good as their teachers and quality of the textbooks. However, I can't stop thinking that if less time was focused on formulaic and oftentimes incorrect or useless grammar points and/or one's own culture and focused more on functional English skills, Japanese students would have a much better command of the language.
I look forward to the day MEXT removes its iron-fisted talon from the English education system.
I usually wouldn't think it was a big concern until I realized many English textbooks in Japan like to talk about things specific to Japan culture. I understand that being able to explain your own culture in another language could prove beneficial but not when students can't even hold basic English conversations outside of Japan-specific topics.
I can almost imagine how a hypothetical English conversation might go if a JHS student actually went to an English speaking country:
E-student: Hey, what's goin' on?
J-student: ‚¦‚¦‚ÆA‚Ç‚ñ‚¾‚¯...hello.
E-student: Whatcha' doin'?
J-student: I'm fine, thank you. And, you?
E-student: Whaaa... Nevermind, it's not important. Me and my friends are going to the park to play some baseball. Wanna come?
J-student: ......
E-student: uuuuhhh...do you like baseball?
J-student: ah! I like Ichiro bery much.
E-student: Whaa.. Nevermind, do you want to play baseball with us?
J-student: Yes, I do. I like catch ball.
E-student: Whaa...? Catch ball?? Whatz that?
J-student: ‚¦‚¦‚¦‚¦‚Æ...à–¾‚Ì‚ªƒ€ƒŠ‚¾‚æIŽö‹Æ‚ª‚È‚¢‚Ì‚ÅI
E-student: Whaa...? Nevermind, I'll catch ya later!
J-student: No...catch ball.
Beyond pleasantries, I would dare argue the average JHS student is lost in an English conversation. I'm not trying to bash Japanese students because I understand students are only as good as their teachers and quality of the textbooks. However, I can't stop thinking that if less time was focused on formulaic and oftentimes incorrect or useless grammar points and/or one's own culture and focused more on functional English skills, Japanese students would have a much better command of the language.
I look forward to the day MEXT removes its iron-fisted talon from the English education system.