Originally published on metropolis.co.jp on March 2010

Illustration by Kohji Shiiki

THE NIHONGO ISSUE

Regarding “Rethinking Japanese” (Feature, March 5): I really think there is some sort of cultural block that prevents the Japanese from being able to teach language. Though reading and writing Japanese is a challenge (even to the Japanese), the spoken language is no more difficult than any Western language I’ve ever studied. In fact, given that it’s nominally limited to 52 sounds, it’s easier phonetically than most languages. Of course, as with all languages, you can spend years in classes, but without immersion in the target culture/language, you’ll never get very far.—jeffrey*

The secret of my success in Japan is to speak English at all times. If I speak Japanese, that puts me at a disadvantage, but if I insist on speaking English (and why shouldn’t I, as all Japanese have done at least three years of English in high school?) then the advantage lies with me. Plus many Japanese are grateful to have a chance to speak English. To learn nihongo well enough to have the whip hand would take me until I’m about 95.—karoshi*

Karoshi—your secret to success is not to even try? Wow… I don’t even know what to say that would be acceptable to print. Japanese learn English in high school for a few years—so what? The country of Japan has a national language—Japanese!

People in the US usually spend a few years studying French or German—what if I went to the US and said, “The secret to my success is to refuse to speak English, after all, half of Americans should have taken a few years of French.” No, you get with the program, and speak English. In Japan, that means speaking Japanese.

I know plenty of non-Japanese who went to Japanese colleges and graduated with no problem. It just takes a little effort.—shiruba*

It would be just dandy if the new JLPT does test for communicative competence, but unless it includes an oral interview and ideally an essay-type test section, it will not be testing communicative ability directly. There’s sort of an old cliché: “Test what is being tested.” That applies even to Japanese, unbelievable as it may seem. I have yet to pass Level 1, but that’s because I see absolutely no need to waste any more of my life studying nonsense that evaluates only passive skills and requires endless hours of mind-numbing tedium for little more than a number on a sheet of paper. (If I get into a situation where my Japanese is not adequate, will anyone be impressed if I pull out that silly certificate?)

Good teachers can be found, and if you find a good private teacher who is willing to work with you, and adapt to what you need, I think the benefits are worth the cost. And it ain’t ever going to be easy for most. There is no magic method, no always “fun,” “fast” and “simple” way to acquire any language. Run away from any school or teacher that claims otherwise (or ask them to prove it with non company-produced evidence based on modern research.)—boku1*

ACTING OUT

Regarding “Full Speed Ahead” (Star Struck, March 5): It’s refreshing to see [Saki Fukuda] succeeding mostly on her looks. I’m tired of all these talented stars in Japan.—plasticmonkey**

I made it through the first four paragraphs before I stopped reading… Pretty good I think, given the subject…. This story would have been better with more pictures!!—Junnama**

*taken from the Metropolis comment threads
**taken from the Japan Today comment threads

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