Japan: Behind the Paper Screen / No magic tricks in studying languages

[Francis Hult]

Daily Yomiuri

 

Daily Yomiuri

 

Behind the Paper Screen / No magic tricks in studying languages

 

English teaching in Japanese secondary schools was a constant target of criticism when I was going through middle and high schools in Japan decades ago, but recent news reports point out an alarming tendency in the past few years that a sharp divide exists between "advanced" editions of official high school English textbooks for college-bound students and "easy-to-read" versions for those who did not acquire basic grammar and reading skills in middle school. 

 

When I used to work part-time as an interpreter, my Japanese clients frequently asked me, "What do I need to do to speak English like you do?" Many would explain, flashing their latest model electronic dictionary, "I've been trying really hard [to learn to speak English], but I'm not improving at all!" 

 

Full story:

http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/features/language/20080805TDY18001.htm

 

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