Teaching English
...written on 2000-10-15, @ 12:29:04
In Japan, San is used at the end of a name (last name is more formal,but you can use it after the first name in some cases) when you are talking to or about someone. It is a sign of respect. If you really want to whole hog, you say "sama", ie." Takashi-sama, how are you today?" If I am introducing you I would say "Kore wa Cindy-san desu" or "Kore wa McDaniel-san desu". I would never refer to myself as Kim-san or Kim-sama because that is considered too rude and boastful. In Japan, you must appear humble at all times.
My students so far have ranged in age from 6 to 16 years old.The majority are junior high school students who are attending a "juku school". Juku schools are for preparing for a big test to enter high school.The goal is to get grades good enough to enter the best private high school so your chances of getting into a high level college are better. I think it is a shame that such pressure is put on these young children, some of which commit suicide because they fail to get a good score and thus shame themselves and their parents. I think Japan may be trying to change however. In 2002, they will abolish school on Saturdays.
The students have been studying English grammar for quite some time and the Japanese teachers have been teaching it to them. Last night I went to a school where not one teacher could speak English even though they have been teaching it for years. My predicament last night was that the teacher gave me information on what they had studied last week,which gave me the impression that the students should be pretty far along in their understanding of English, but they couldn't even say how old they were.Thus all the materials I had prepared were woefully over their heads.
Another thing is the way they have been taught when Japanese teachers speak English to them. They all say "pahple", so when I say "purple" they don't understand what I am saying. The same for the word "hobby" which they pronouce with a long "o" instead of a short "o" sound. And of course, the "l" and "r" sounds. In one class where I was preparing the students for a test with a dialogue, the Japanese teacher had to say the sentence "It will be on your right" and said "It will be on your light". Now there is no way I can correct that if everyone is to "save face".
Again the Japanese government is trying to intercede in education by changing the focus of the study of English from grammar to speaking.That is why the need for native English speakers is growing. All schools(private, public and the juku schools) are looking for native English teacers (people from Australia, England, Canada, the US, etc) to teach students how to converse in English. Many educated Japanese can understand spoken or written English, but are unable to speak it themselves.
The hard part is that the majority of Japanese students are shy or too humble enough to participate in speaking. They will repeat things in a group, but to point them out and have them produce something is very difficult. I have had success in pairing them up to discuss a photo, but when it comes time to share it with the class they giggle and balk. I have tried to encourage them every step of the way,telling them that they have good English and should be proud, but this is all new to them, so I must be patient and continue to learn how best to teach them.