So there are a lot of differences in the way classes are conducted between Japan and America. Particularly in terms of what is expected of student behavior.
In America, students are to voluntarily participate in activities. For instance, if the teacher asks a question, it's normal for someone among the students to raise their hand and answer. The teacher doesn't want to *make* someone give an answer, and picking someone to answer is viewed as a kind of last resort.
However, in Japan, it's a different story. In my experience, students who will offer to answer a question without being called on are few and far between. For me, a teacher, this is a problem. As an American, and coming from that culture, being forced to call on students because no one is volunteering feels really awkward and embarrassing.
But, there is an even more troublesome difference. That being the student who doesn't answer even if they ARE called on. The first time I saw this in action, I was really kind of shocked. Staying silent even when spoken to, and ignoring a question, is the epitome of rudeness to me. If, in my high school, a kid had done something like that, they'd be thrown out of the classroom, and on top of that, most likely sent to the principal's office to get told off. It's well and truly unacceptable.
If you're wondering why a (Japanese) student wouldn't answer, it's not because of anything malicious. It's just that not knowing the answer is hideously embarrassing here. But none-the-less, if say a student were to study abroad in America or somewhere, they'd be in for a *very* rude awakening. Wouldn't that suck?
I know I can't change this aspect of Japanese culture. But I want to, as much as possible, increase these kids' English communication skills, and in turn their confidence, so they can participate in class without hesitation. I don't even mind if they bluntly say, "I don't know." It's far better than saying nothing at all! It might (probably) take me all school year, and be slow going, but I'll get there with them eventually.
日本では、授業の行い方がアメリカのと違うところがおおい。特に、生徒の期待されることが全く違う。
アメリカなら、授業で生徒が自ら活動に参加することになる。例えば、先生が皆に質問するとしたら、生徒は誰かが当てられずe 手を上げて答えるのが普通なんだ。先生が答えさせたくない、生徒を当てて言ってもらうのが、苦肉の策とされる。
しかし、日本は、話が違う。私の経験では、当てられないで質問に答えてくれる生徒が少ない。教師の私にとっては、それが困る。アメリカ人だから、生徒を返事させてやるとは、恥ずかしく感じるんだ。
でも、それよりずっと困る違いがあります。それは、当てられても答えない生徒です。初めてみた時、本当にびっくりしたよね。話しかけられても黙って、質問を無視するとは、アメリカ人の私にとって、一番無礼なことから。もし、私が通った高校で、生徒がそんなことやったら、教室を出させられて、その上に校長室に行かせられて、校長に怒られてしまうだろう。誠に頂けないことなんだ。
どうして答えないかというと、何も悪い気持ちじゃなくて、多分、答えが分からないのが恥ずかしすぎると思う。それにしても、もしアメリカとかに留学したら、日本人の生徒が行き成り知らせてしまって、困るでしょう？
私がとても、この日本の文化を変えられないと、分かっている。けど、ならべく生徒の英語表現力を増したり自信を増したりして、遠慮せずにもっともっと参加してもらいたい。素直に「I don't know」って答えてもらっても構わないよね。何も言わないよりずっとましだからね。一年度全部かかるかもしれないけど、毎日少しずつでも頑張るよ！
In America, students are to voluntarily participate in activities. For instance, if the teacher asks a question, it's normal for someone among the students to raise their hand and answer. The teacher doesn't want to *make* someone give an answer, and picking someone to answer is viewed as a kind of last resort.
However, in Japan, it's a different story. In my experience, students who will offer to answer a question without being called on are few and far between. For me, a teacher, this is a problem. As an American, and coming from that culture, being forced to call on students because no one is volunteering feels really awkward and embarrassing.
But, there is an even more troublesome difference. That being the student who doesn't answer even if they ARE called on. The first time I saw this in action, I was really kind of shocked. Staying silent even when spoken to, and ignoring a question, is the epitome of rudeness to me. If, in my high school, a kid had done something like that, they'd be thrown out of the classroom, and on top of that, most likely sent to the principal's office to get told off. It's well and truly unacceptable.
If you're wondering why a (Japanese) student wouldn't answer, it's not because of anything malicious. It's just that not knowing the answer is hideously embarrassing here. But none-the-less, if say a student were to study abroad in America or somewhere, they'd be in for a *very* rude awakening. Wouldn't that suck?
I know I can't change this aspect of Japanese culture. But I want to, as much as possible, increase these kids' English communication skills, and in turn their confidence, so they can participate in class without hesitation. I don't even mind if they bluntly say, "I don't know." It's far better than saying nothing at all! It might (probably) take me all school year, and be slow going, but I'll get there with them eventually.
日本では、授業の行い方がアメリカのと違うところがおおい。特に、生徒の期待されることが全く違う。
アメリカなら、授業で生徒が自ら活動に参加することになる。例えば、先生が皆に質問するとしたら、生徒は誰かが当てられずe 手を上げて答えるのが普通なんだ。先生が答えさせたくない、生徒を当てて言ってもらうのが、苦肉の策とされる。
しかし、日本は、話が違う。私の経験では、当てられないで質問に答えてくれる生徒が少ない。教師の私にとっては、それが困る。アメリカ人だから、生徒を返事させてやるとは、恥ずかしく感じるんだ。
でも、それよりずっと困る違いがあります。それは、当てられても答えない生徒です。初めてみた時、本当にびっくりしたよね。話しかけられても黙って、質問を無視するとは、アメリカ人の私にとって、一番無礼なことから。もし、私が通った高校で、生徒がそんなことやったら、教室を出させられて、その上に校長室に行かせられて、校長に怒られてしまうだろう。誠に頂けないことなんだ。
どうして答えないかというと、何も悪い気持ちじゃなくて、多分、答えが分からないのが恥ずかしすぎると思う。それにしても、もしアメリカとかに留学したら、日本人の生徒が行き成り知らせてしまって、困るでしょう？
私がとても、この日本の文化を変えられないと、分かっている。けど、ならべく生徒の英語表現力を増したり自信を増したりして、遠慮せずにもっともっと参加してもらいたい。素直に「I don't know」って答えてもらっても構わないよね。何も言わないよりずっとましだからね。一年度全部かかるかもしれないけど、毎日少しずつでも頑張るよ！
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