5/12/2010

I was looking for Barna's 3B on the Internet, but I couldn't find sufficient information. She seems an emeritus professor(expert on intercultural communication) of Portland State University and 83 years old now though i don't know whether the imformation is correct or not.
Today we discussed the article about English entrance exam in Japan. I think that English should Not be taken away from entrance exam.
In that article, an educator claims that many students dislike English because it is included in exam, but there is no evidence that the exam is the reason students don't like it. In the first place, they shouldn't change something because students dislike them. It's like parents don't give children vegetables because they hate them. It's nonsense. Even if children don't like them, parents should have them eat because vegetables offer children good nutrition to grow up. English is same. Teachers should provide English learning and English exams for students so that they can have a good command of English. English skill is required for today's globalized world. It'll be useful in the future.
Analysts in the article say it is said that English education in Japan yet to give students skills that are applicable to the real world. Again there is no evidence. I admit that Japanese students are poor in English 'communication' skill compared to other Asian students. However, reading ,grammar, spelling and writing skills, which are important as well, may be good, even higher than other countries' students because English education in Japan focus more on such skills through word memorization and so on. It sometimes seems hard and boring, but hardworking for entrance exam would be a good training and motivation. From these reasons, English should NOT be taken away from entrance exam.
In fact, I wouldn't be here in ICU today withough English education in my high school. It taught me how interesting learning English is and English skills of communication, writing, reading, spelling...all about English. I'm really grateful to my English teachers, lessons and school. English education in Japan isn't so bad after all. I'm one of the examles.