Topic: Difference between English classes in Japan and Japanese classes at MSU, Montana State University
I've learned English for almost 10 years and I can communicate with other people in English now even though my English is not perfect. However, I have not been able to speak English for my first 7 years since I started studying English. I knew how to write and read English but I was too shy to speak English. There are many Japanese who do not speak English even though they have learned it for a long time as well as I used to. I am wondering why it happends.
I know some foreign people who speak Japanese. I sometimes asked them how long they have learned Japanese. Their answer often surprised me because they have just learned Japanese for 2 or 3 years.
Japanese have learned English since they were junior high school students but most of them cannot speak English. On the other hand, non native Japanese speakers have learned Japanese for a only couple of years but they speak Japanese.
Then, I'd like to research this topic, difference between English classes in Japan and Japanese classes at MSU, for my theses.
I was a TA of Japanese classes at MSU for a half year. In these classes, students just started studying Japanese and they were not able to speak Japanese, of course. However, the Japanese teacher always asked them to speak Japanese. For example, they often had pair work for conversation and sometimes had to have quick presentation in front of other students. I think it was helpful to improve their Japanese!!
On the other hand, Japanese students usually do not speak English at junior high and high school. They have many text books to learn how to write and read English.
to be continued...
