<<January 5, 2001>>
Archived distributions can be retrieved
by clicking on the top lines of our home page at <http://www.friends-partners.org/GLOSAS/>.
Dr. David Levy <AXEL@conted.lan.mcgill.ca>
Dear David:
===========
(1) Many thanks for your msg (ATTACHMENT I) with very interesting
information
about the movement of making English as the official language
of Japanese
and Japanese government (ATTACHMENT II).
(2) Previous distributions related with this matter are;
(a) Final report of Web-based Education Commission - December 30, 2000
(b) DVD-ROM and Electronic Books for ESL plan - December 21, 2000
(c) ESL program for Japanese business people - December 19, 2000
(d) English as a Second Language e-Learning course proposal - December 16, 2000
(e) English for Japan in the 21st Century - November 20, 2000
All of the above can be retrieved at
http://www.friends-partners.org/~utsumi/gu-l/mid-2000/index.html
(3) Your various info in ATTACHMENT II affirms what I have
been advocating for many years.
Since Japanese government now also start considering to make English
as
an official second language, your project should have tremendous
need in Japan.
(4) Referring to your Item (ii), yes, I plan to do so as you
suggested while
I will be in Japan around the end of coming April, i.e., contact
Japanese
firms on their need -- namely start making a market survey for
your service.
To do so, I will need a brief executive summary of your project
-- as
mentioned in my previous msg to you.
I would greatly appreciate it if you can kindly start drafting
this ASAP
so that we can refine it in the coming months.
Best, Tak
****************************************
ATTACHMENT I
From: "David Levy" <axel@conted.lan.mcgill.ca>
To: utsumi@columbia.edu
Date: Wed, 27 Dec 2000 14:11:44 -0500
tak -
i) re the request in your last e-mail (NOTE by T. Utsumi -- see ATTACHMENT II):
(ii) re a project outline - why don't we contact a corporation
with offices in
japan and america/canada, such as the sony corporation...ask them
to fund
a study of the english language proficiency shortcomings of their
executive staff in japan re communication with staff abroad...based
on
the findings, we could readily design a program to correct for
the
deficiency using internet technology... that program would serve
as a
model for other corporations and business organizations because
it
precisely answers the who, what, how questions...david
****************************************
ATTACHMENT II
Date sent: Fri, 04 Feb 2000 08:31:59 -0500
From: Kasey Oyama <<oyama@sympatico.ca>
Subject: Report on Eng. lang. from Japan. ko
To: "Dr. David Levy" <<axel@conted.lan.mcgill.ca>
Feb. 4, 2000
Attn. Prof. David Levy
From Kasey Oyama (a colleague very interested in our project):
Following items are from copies of the Japan Times that I received
by Int'l Post yesterday. I am impressed particularly by the
understanding of Japan's problem in teaching English. But I
disagree with him on several points. However I think he has the
broadest understanding of Japan's language problem. I look forward
to discussing the matter this p.m. The clippings follow:
To produce more Japanese who can communicate effectively in
the
international community in the 21st century, the Education Ministry
set an Wednesday to map out recommendations on better ways of
teaching English.
========================================
Japan times. Ja.27 advisory panel
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
At the panel's first meeting, Education Minister Hirofumi Nakasone
said
learning English is essential in the age of the Internet because
much of the
information is in that language.
"While we have spent so much time studying English, we
often hear that the
teaching is not producing good results," Nakasone said.
"I ask the members to discuss appropriate and effective
ways of teaching
English and I would like the outcome of the discussions to be
reflected in our
education policy," he said.
The panel was set up at the minister's request, before the
ministry's new
teaching guidelines take effect in 2002 at elementary and junior
high schools
and in 2003 in high schools.
The new guidelines emphasize verbal communication in English
studies -- a
shift from Japan's long-standing focus on reading and studying
grammar.
Elementary schools will also be able to teach English as part
of comprehensive
studies," a new curriculum under the guidelines.
The 22-member panel will discuss how to improve teaching methods
at schools,
better ways of selecting and training English teachers, reforms
of the English
portion of entrance exams and ways to effectively use native speakers.
Gregory Clark, a panel member and president of Tama University,
said the
entrance examination is the source of problems in English education
in Japan .
It is "impossible" to understand the reading-comprehension
test of upper-level
university exams by studying English just three hours a week in
schools, Clark said.
"The Japanese are trying too hard," he said. "They
should relax more ... and
should learn difficult English after entering university."
On English education at the elementary school level, Aiko Okawara,
president
of JC Foods Co., said the Japanese should begin studying English
before they are 10.
Children should start with hearing lessons, and they need to
do it every day,
Okawara said. For example, 30 minutes of daily English listening
lessons in
elementary school would be effective, she said.
Mineo Nakajima, president of Tokyo University of Foreign Studies
and the
chairman of the panel, said setting up one clear direction in
English
education from the elementary level through to university will
be essential in
the coming panel The members need to discuss whether Japan should
focus on
teaching correct English, or usable-even-if-broken English, as
well as the
pros and cons of English education at an early age and what to
do about
entrance exams, Nakajima said.
The panel will hold meetings about once a month until December
before making
its recommendations.
========================================
Panel discusses improving English teaching in schools
Yomiuri Shimbun Jan 27
++++++++++++++++++++++
An advisory panel to Education Minister Hirofumi Nakasone,
established to
examine ways of improving English education in schools, met for
the first time Wednesday.
Nakasone set up the private advisory panel to investigate why
Japanese, who
study English in middle school, high school and at university--10
years in
all--but still cannot communicate well in the language.
Tokyo University of Foreign Studies Prof. Mineo Nakajima was
chosen to chair
the panel of 22 specialists.
The panel plans to meet once a month and draw up suggestions by December.
Topics to be discussed include:
-- Ways to improve English lessons and teaching methods.
-- Methods of hiring and training English teachers.
-- Improving high school and university entrance examinations.
-- Ways to give students more opportunities to listen to and speak
English.
The panel is expected to focus on ways to improve practical
English
communication skills through classroom instruction and how to
modify current
entrance examinations, which mainly consist of written tests,
to test spoken
ability instead.
A report on goals for Japan to achieve in the 21st century,
released last week
by Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi's private advisory council, suggested
that
Japanese become proficient in speaking English before starting
their careers,
and that it is time to consider making English the official second
language country's.
========================================
English at top of class
Asahi Shimbun jan.26
++++++++++++++++++++
Education Minister Hirofumi Nakasone inaugurated an advisory
group today to
consider how to reform the way English is taught in this country.
Even though most Japanese study English in school for 10 years,
many still
cannot communicate effectively.
The group will explore methods that would give students practical English ability.
Nakasone told panel members this morning ``It is hoped that
every working
person will have a command of English in the near future.''
Later this year, the panel will issue a set of proposals.
It will tackle English education, employment and training of
teachers,
entrance examinations for high schools and universities, and the
``practical
use'' of foreign assistants.
The panel is headed by Mineo Nakajima, president of Tokyo University
of
Foreign Studies and all 22 participants are specialists in English
education.
The panel's proposals are intended to take effect from fiscal
2002 in junior
high school and the following year in high schools.
The bottom line: Communication in a foreign language takes priority.
Elementary school pupils will receive English conversation
lessons as part of
``general study'' programs.
========================================
Jan.25 (typed)
Ministry to review fundamental law on education
It's time to update the nation's law on education, the Education
Ministry says.
Asahi Shimbun
+++++++++++++
The Education Ministry will review the law that underpins the
nation's
educational system, ministry sources said Monday.
While the current education system helped usher in Japan's
stunning period of
rapid economic growth, it is now showing its age, ministry sources
said.
The review will focus on whether the Fundamental Law of Education
is able to
adequately address the nation's future educational needs, the
sources said.
This will be the first review of the law. Enacted in 1947,
the law has been
seen, along with the Constitution, as an icon of the nation's
post-war democracy.
The law was enacted to replace the Imperial Rescript on Education,
a symbol of
the nation's prewar education system.
The education minister will refer the matter to the Central
Council for
Education in February at the earliest, the sources said.
It is not known whether the review will actually lead to a
revision of the
law. Some council members are reluctant to change and opinions
are divided
among the ruling coalition parties, the sources said.
Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi has repeatedly said he wants the
law reviewed,
saying that it does not sufficiently address lifelong and home
education.
Also supporting the review are Education Minister Hirofumi
Nakasone and
Parliamentary Vice Minister Takeo Kawamura. Kawamura previously
headed the
Liberal Democratic Party's study group on the Fundamental Law
of Education.
Despite this backing, the review faces serious problems if
a certain element
within the LDP is able to force its conservative ideology on the
review committee.
This group says that any revised law should incorporate provisions
that
promote patriotism and a respect for tradition.
If this viewpoint prevails, strong opposition from the public
and educators
can be expected.
========================================
Public urged to consider English as second language
Japan times Jan.18
++++++++++++++++++
Tlo. Pros. Levi An advisory panel to the prime minister on
Tuesday
issued a report in which it suggests the country begin debating
such major
reforms as adopting English as an official second language, encouraging
immigration and directly electing prime ministers.
In its final report titled "The Frontier Within: Individual
Empowerment and
Better Governance in the New Millennium," the 16-member panel
underlined the
need to reform education and encourage diversity in society as
keys to Japan's
future prosperity.
Specifically, the panel urged the government to reinforce English
language
education, noting that all Japanese people should be able to use
the language
as a tool to communicate in the international community.
In the long term, it called for holding a national debate on
whether to make
English an official second language.
To allow greater diversity, the panel said the government should
re-examine
its immigration policy and take steps to encourage foreigners
to live and work in Japan.
Tuesday's recommendation is in response to Prime Minister Keizo
Obuchi's
request in March that the panel consider what kind of nation Japan
should
become in the next century and what Japanese people need to do
to pursue the goal.
The panel, headed by Hayao Kawai, director general of the International
Research Center for Japanese Studies, comprised representatives
from various
circles such as academic, business, art, science and mass media.
Their discussions covered a wide range of issues including
education, social
security and diplomatic policy.
Obuchi plans to incorporate the panel's recommendation into
his policy speech
before the Diet on Jan. 28. But it remains uncertain to what extent
the
panel's proposals will actually be implemented.
"I want to take an initiative to further discuss the recommendations,
and also
I hope the public will vigorously debate (the final report),"
Obuchi said
Tuesday after receiving the report at his official residence.
Concerning primary and secondary education, the report proposed
to conduct
drastic reforms in curriculum.
For example, it called for adopting a five-day school week
and allocating
three days for compulsory education and two for extracurricular
subjects or
activities that students choose based on their interests.
Social systems such as employment, social security and education,
should be
designed so they can tolerate and make use of diversified values
and
lifestyles, the report recommended.
On immigration policy, the report says, "We should set
up an explicit
immigration and permanent-residence system to encourage foreigners
who can be
expected to contribute to the development of Japanese society
to move and
possibly take up permanent residence here."
To promote more vigorous participation in politics by young
people, the panel
proposed that the voting age be lowered from the current 20 to
18, a measure
that would add about 3.5 million eligible voters.
The report also said Japan should debate the merits of conducting
a direct
election of the prime minister -- a move that would require a
revision of the Constitution.
On national security, the report said, Japan should encourage
public debate
concerning such issues as exercising the right of collective self-defense.
In diplomacy, the panel urged the nation to deepen ties with
neighboring
countries through grassroots exchanges to reinforce the framework
of regional cooperation.
The report said the recommendations were based on the need
for a fundamental
change of perception to facilitate a stronger relationship between
the
individual and the public domain.
"Our report is not necessarily the only answer (to the
question about Japan's
goal in the next century,)" Kawai, the chairman of the panel,
said.
"I hope very much that these proposals will provoke public debate," he said.
========================================
Survey: Japanese language being 'corrupted'
Yomiuri Shimbun
+++++++++++++++
Television and radio are corrupting the Japanese language,
with the overuse of
incomprehensible "katakana words" compounding the problem.
That is the feeling
of a majority of those polled in a recent nationwide survey conducted
by The
Yomiuri Shimbun. The survey also revealed a widespread desire
among
individuals to improve their use of keigo (polite Japanese) and
to learn to
communicate more effectively.
The survey found that 81 percent of respondents felt the Japanese
language is
being "corrupted," the largest portion of whom (71 percent)
cited television
and radio as the main culprits. Meanwhile, 60 percent agreed that
"children
are not adequately disciplined to use language correctly at home,"
while 50
percent said that "society as a whole no longer attaches
importance to the
proper use of the Japanese language."
Ninety percent of pollees expressed anxiety of one sort or
another regarding
the current state of the Japanese language.
The most common answer, given by 55.8 percent of those polled,
to the question
"Do you have any particular concern about the Japanese language
as it is used
now?" was There are too many incomprehensible buzzwords or
'in' words." With
"Young people use too many incomprehensible expressions in
conversation"
notching 48.1 percent and "There are too many (borrowed)
katakana words"
scoring 38.3 percent, neologisms seem to be a major cause of concern
for many
pollees, who are apparently having trouble keeping up with the
pace at which
new words are flooding into Japanese.
The same section of the survey also revealed that a large portion
of pollees
was concerned over declining language skills, with 45.5 percent,
or the third-
largest portion, answering "Keigo is not being used correctly."
Among the
other answers: There has been an increase in the number of people
with poor
vocabulary" (25.5 percent); "People frequently use words
in the wrong sense"
(20.5 percent); and "Too many people have trouble reading
or writing kanji
correctly" (20.1 percent).
One of the survey's most illuminating sections inquired about
"katakana
words," or words borrowed from other languages that are conventionally
written
in the katakana script. Many of these words come from Western
languages,
particularly English.
Katakana terms are apparently the bane of the older generations,
many of whom
have trouble keeping up with the rate at which younger generations
introduce
them into Japanese as trendy new words.
According to the survey, 78 percent of pollees "have trouble
understanding"
katakana words in varying degrees.
Those who answered they "do not have trouble" with
katakana words accounted
for 21.7 percent of pollees. Seen along the age division, pollees
in their 20s
had the least trouble with katakana words, with 35 percent of
them giving this answer.
As for individual words that are causing problems, "masutaa-puran"
(master
plan), a term sometimes used in local governments' policy announcements,
and
"hai-risuku-hai-ritaan" (high risk, high return), frequently
used in an
economic context, showed the lowest recognition-levels, with only
23.3 percent
and 35.9 percent, respectively, answering they had come across
them in newspapers.
Reflecting growing concerns over care for the elderly, 84 percent
of pollees
claimed to be aware of "homu-herupaa" (home helper),
and 49.3 percent said
they had heard of "dei-kea" (day care). Other results
in the medical care and
welfare category included "baria-furii" (barrier free),
familiar to 42.3
percent, and infomudo-konsento" (informed consent), known
by 28.8 percent.
Predictably, "mireniamu" (millennium) fared well,
with 51.1 percent knowing
what it meant, thanks to the media's use of the word over the
year-end.
"Ribenji" (revenge) was also a favorite, with a 50.4-percent
recognition rate.
The word was pounced on by the media after Seibu Lions' pitching
phenomenon
Daisuke Matsuzaka pledged to take revenge on his opponents last
spring after
losing an exhibition game.
The poll revealed that a majority of respondents were eager
to improve their
language skills, a result consistent with the recent popularity
of self-help
books on the use of the Japanese language and a rise in the number
of
applicants for kanji grade examinations.
Chosen by 46 percent, "To learn proper keigo skills"
ranked first in a section
asking pollees how in particular they would like to improve their
language
skills, followed by "To be consistent in speech" (44.5
percent) and "To
improve writing skills" (33.6 percent). Other notable responses
were "To
increase vocabulary for writing and speaking" and "To
learn more kanji for
writing and reading," given by 24 percent and 25.6 percent,
respectively.
The survey was conducted Dec. 18 and 19 on 3,000 adults nationwide,
with 1,930
responding. Male pollees comprised 46 percent and females 54 percent.
Fifteen
percent were in their 20s; 16 percent, 30s; 19 percent, 40s; 21
percent, 50s;
18 percent, 60s; and 11 percent, 70s and older.
========================================
Education key to maintaining language standards By Yasuto Kikuchi
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Special to The Yomiuri Shimbun Buzzwords, newly coined terms,
"in" words used
by young people and borrowed katakana words--all have been worming
their way
recently into the Japanese language. It is understandable that
these words are
causing concern--a natural, healthy reaction, I believe--but they
are hardly a
threat to the language, since such faddish expressions tend to
have relatively
short life spans, and are therefore unlikely to do much damage.
However, though individual words may have little impact, the
apparent overuse
of borrowed words, chiefly katakana words, may give reason to
worry.
It is perfectly natural that when a new concept is introduced,
the need to
express it arises, which in turn necessitates the introduction
of a new word
into the language. But instead of simply pilfering the label already
attached
to the imported concept, we should try to coin a more suitable
term for it
within our own language. That way we could minimize confusion.
As a language expert, I do feel that these days, keigo is often
used in the
wrong way. So it was heartening to learn that in this survey nearly
half of
those polled were unhappy about the misuse of polite Japanese.
The survey also
revealed that about 70 percent of pollees were making efforts
to improve their
use of keigo, and about 80 percent considered it to be a necessary
part of the
language. Apparently, there is good reason to emphasize the instruction
of
keigo at school.
But more than any of the above, two problems strike me as being
particularly
worrisome. First, an increasing number of people are unable to
read and write
kanji properly and, as a result, are unable to construct proper
sentences to
clearly convey what they mean. This I see as an enormous threat
to our native language.
Secondly, we are seeing a rise in vulgar language--language
that is lacking in
grace and widely used without restraint. Children, for example,
these days
seem to have no qualms about cursing each other, saying "shine"
(die). When I
was young, I never heard children say such things. It seems parents
and
teachers have a lot to think about, as do those working in broadcasting
and
publishing, if we are to remedy this situation.
(Kikuchi is an assistant professor of linguistics at Tokyo
University. This is
an excerpted translation of his article commenting on the result
of the survey.)
========================================
English recommended as official language
Asahi Shimbun
+++++++++++++
An advisory panel to Prime minister Keizo Obuchi on Tuesday
issued its final
report, recommending drastic reform in education, immigration,
electoral and
security policies.
The report, ``Japan's goals for the 21st century,'' urged the
government to
adopt a three-day week for compulsory education and two days for
extracurricular subjects or activities.
The panel, headed by Hayao Kawai, director-general of the International
Research Center for Japanese Studies, also called for bolstering
English
language education. The report urges government publications be
written in
both Japanese and English.
It also calls for holding a national debate on whether to make
English an
official second language.
On immigration policy, the report called for efforts to encourage
foreign
students studying in Japan to take up permanent residence here.
To promote greater participation in politics by young people,
the panel
proposed the voting age be lowered from 20 to 18. The report also
said Japan
should consider direct elections for prime minister.
The report said Japan's national security should be based on
stability,
maintenance, and use of the Japan-U.S. security arrangements.
Furthermore, the
report says Japan should promote legal reform and encourage public
debate
concerning such issues as exercising the right of collective self-defense.
The panel said it is concerned that Japan will decline if distrust
in politics
and the administration of government grows. The report said these
problems
could be ameliorated by empowering individuals.
``These are middle- and long-term goals,'' Obuchi said.
========================================
K.O. Notes:
+++++++++++
Shows problem of teaching English in Japan and to Japanse in Canada.
Gregory Clark, originally from Asutralia and married, I believe,
to a Japanese
woman was original teaching at Sophia University, and not too
long ago shifted
to Tama University (I am not familiar with this university)
Clark has an exceptional grasp of the problems of teaching English in Japan.
No discussion, no questions, hesitate to speak English before
others, but will
more readily speak one on one with any Japanese onlooker. (shame,
or pride,
but one of Japanese character traits) Probably will not take to
reading
English aloud before others.
Clark seems to have an axe to grind. He seems to believe he
has a good
approach to teach English and an unconscious wish to stake out
the
univsrsity level for himself as a teacher of English.
His assumption is questionable THAT THE Japanese could speak
[English] as fluently as any other [nationality - Edited by Steve
McCarty].
****************************************
List of Distribution
Dr. David Levy
Centre for Continuing Education (CCE)
McGill University
680 Sherbrooke Street West, Suite 1184
Montreal, Quebec, Canada
H3A 3R1
514-398-7374
Fax: 514-398-2650
AXEL@conted.lan.mcgill.ca
**********************************************************************
* Takeshi Utsumi, Ph.D., P.E., Chairman, GLOSAS/USA *
* (GLObal Systems Analysis and Simulation Association in the U.S.A.)
*
* Laureate of Lord Perry Award for Excellence in Distance Education
*
* Founder of CAADE *
* (Consortium for Affordable and Accessible Distance Education)
*
* President Emeritus and V.P. for Technology and Coordination
of *
* Global University System (GUS) *
* 43-23 Colden Street, Flushing, NY 11355-3998, U.S.A. *
* Tel: 718-939-0928; Fax: 718-939-0656 (day time only--prefer
email) *
* Email: utsumi@columbia.edu; Tax Exempt ID: 11-2999676 *
* http://www.friends-partners.org/GLOSAS/ *
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