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Post by Otaku on Jun 19, 2008 13:26:24 GMT 8
English as a Second Language vs. English as a Foreign Language
What do these terms mean to you? What system does Japan employ? And, which do YOU think Japan should use?
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Post by gsuiris on Jun 19, 2008 13:49:04 GMT 8
For me, ESL means that the person plans to use and continue to speak/read/communicate in that language on a regular basis. The way I see it, ESL is used for people living in a country that has English as an official or main language (or plan to live or work closely with those people). And the people that learn ESL generally need/want to become fluent.
I think that Japan is more of a EFL rather than ESL country. Most people do not use English outside of their English classroom, nor do they attempt to use it. They take English not necessarily because they want to but because they have to. Some may want to study English, but in any case their main goal isnft everyday use.
Personally, while the current system is broken, there is no need for Japan to go to an ESL system. The average Japanese person doesnft need to use English on a regular basis. And the country certainly does not use English to communicate to its citizens. However, for Japan to function in a global society they cannot rely or count on everyone speaking and reading Japanese. And since English is the unofficial international language it makes sense for Japanese people to study it.
I may be completely off base, but this is just what I think.
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yopparaisaru
Englipedia Fana
I drink copious amounts of fire and piss excellence
Posts: 312
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Post by yopparaisaru on Jun 20, 2008 7:44:39 GMT 8
Yea pretty much exactly what gsuiris said. Here! Here! Exalt!
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Post by Otaku on Jun 20, 2008 8:29:27 GMT 8
I think I'd pretty much agree, too. It'd be nice to see more 'ESL bubbles' in Japan. Meaning, places that take English more seriously and study for the purpose of using it outside English class and for the tests.
English is so cool! I didn't realize that until I studied another language and realized I can't say what I want to say, and not because I didn't know the language but because the language had restrictions.
I can't count the number of times I've been told by a Japanese person that they love speaking English because they feel like they can express themselves more clearly and there is a greater degree of flexibility and choices. I think if more students knew about this freedom of expression that the English language brings, they would be more pumped to study it. However, that would probably result in a tendancy to like another culture other than the one you're living in and I think that is what a lot of Japanese politicians and government lawmakers are probably afraid of.
However, that's just my theory...
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