English grammar is a piece of cake. In Japan kids study English grammar for 8 years, but when they are asked to Speak English they have a real struggle. Probably because the public school curriculum focus on grammar, listening and reading rather than talking. It's strange. So we have millions of English School. However, considering the level of spoken English by Japanese people, I can't help wondering how good and effective is the English thought in this myriad of English schools.
Personally I believe that only those people lucky enough to start learning English from a very early age, will achieve a considerably good pronunciation, the rest unfortunately have to settle for a mediocre pronunciation. But is it really unfortunate? Well actually no. Language is a mean of communication, so as long as you understand and are understood, it should be fine. Take England or the US for example. How many people do really have a Queen's English pronunciation? How many people speak a grammatically exemplar English? How many people have an English pronunciation free of regional inflections?
And who gives a toss anyway.
Does a businessman from India have a diminished value because of his accent? Does he have a minor impact in the industry or sector in which he operates? Of course not. But English schools in Japan still sell the idea of a perfect English. Have a look on the website of one of the leading English schools in Japan and you will find things like "the pronunciation and usage you learn is just what you'd hear in the home country of your new language" So if what they are selling is a language and not a cultural experience then the home country of English is England or am I wrong? The reality is that in Japan many schools are literally "taking the piss". And what's worse, is that they will only employ "Native Speakers". So they rather have in their books an ex truck driver from Arizona, improvised English teacher by exigence than European who speaks an excellent level of English as well as two or three other languages. But why? If you think about it, a non native speaker, able to speak three or more languages is probably much more aware of grammatical issues than a native speaker only able to speak English. Furthermore, if it is true that we learn from experience, doesn't a person who has learned more languages have more experience in the matter? I suppose the need of native speakers is just fulfilling the demand of the market. So who should I blame for my struggle to find employment as an English teacher in Tokyo? I am not sure, possibly globalization, or American TV, or Starbucks. After all Japan is the home to some of the best animation in the world but Japanese people love to go to Disney world. That speaks for itself.
So I should blame Mikey Mouse.
Ah, screw it, this post is way too serious. Enjoy Golden Eggs instead.
Personally I believe that only those people lucky enough to start learning English from a very early age, will achieve a considerably good pronunciation, the rest unfortunately have to settle for a mediocre pronunciation. But is it really unfortunate? Well actually no. Language is a mean of communication, so as long as you understand and are understood, it should be fine. Take England or the US for example. How many people do really have a Queen's English pronunciation? How many people speak a grammatically exemplar English? How many people have an English pronunciation free of regional inflections?
And who gives a toss anyway.
Does a businessman from India have a diminished value because of his accent? Does he have a minor impact in the industry or sector in which he operates? Of course not. But English schools in Japan still sell the idea of a perfect English. Have a look on the website of one of the leading English schools in Japan and you will find things like "the pronunciation and usage you learn is just what you'd hear in the home country of your new language" So if what they are selling is a language and not a cultural experience then the home country of English is England or am I wrong? The reality is that in Japan many schools are literally "taking the piss". And what's worse, is that they will only employ "Native Speakers". So they rather have in their books an ex truck driver from Arizona, improvised English teacher by exigence than European who speaks an excellent level of English as well as two or three other languages. But why? If you think about it, a non native speaker, able to speak three or more languages is probably much more aware of grammatical issues than a native speaker only able to speak English. Furthermore, if it is true that we learn from experience, doesn't a person who has learned more languages have more experience in the matter? I suppose the need of native speakers is just fulfilling the demand of the market. So who should I blame for my struggle to find employment as an English teacher in Tokyo? I am not sure, possibly globalization, or American TV, or Starbucks. After all Japan is the home to some of the best animation in the world but Japanese people love to go to Disney world. That speaks for itself.
So I should blame Mikey Mouse.
Ah, screw it, this post is way too serious. Enjoy Golden Eggs instead.
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