American schools vs Japanese schools - Page 3

Dr.Knuckles · 08-22-2006, 08:20 PM

I think 50% of my frustration comes from being unable to understand, Quest. And at the same time I think I'm pretty damn good at fitting in compared to other gaijin here. The remaining 50 is the same frustration that any teacher has anywhere cause they wanted to make a bigger difference, but can't. Culture is just so different and parent's expectations are so very very wrong in my own opinion. But they are the parents.

I can sum up North American culture in one word: Freedom. I can sum up Japanese culture in one word: suffering. We consider the more free you are the better the quality of your life. Here it's the more suffering you endure the better a person you are. Comfort and pleasure are signs of weakness and lack of character. You can imagine what my co-teachers think of the material I want to teach

This is what I do Ink - I spent two years in Korea as an English teacher (same system by the way) and then went back to Vancouver where I taught ESL to students from everywhere. Lot's of Japanese, Korean, Taiwanese, Mexican, Argentinian, Brazillian, East German and Swiss. When I met a Japanese lady dressed as Supergirl at a Halloween party I got hooked and when her visa was up it was either say goodbye or follow her home. I chose the one that would lead to continued sex.

2 years later we're still here. We'll head home (mine) when the baby's ready to pop.

I love it here and would stay forever if my job wasn't so depressing. The problem is I'm an idealist, and I believe wholeheartedly that what I'm teaching every day is actually harmful to the well-being of the students. How can I teach anything to kids so burned out? The answer is, I can't. That's not my job. My job is to be white and funny.

Eric · 08-24-2006, 09:48 PM

Hmm, are you certain that all of Japan follows the strict ruling you have so thoroughly pointed out? From textbooks, readings, and lectures I've always thought of Japan as the more moralized form of America, one that matches us or even tops us in education and matches us in economy. I can't see how Japan would remain upright if it was run the way you put it. I don't doubt at all you are telling the truth because you do live there, but I can't completely believe it either, because that kind of foundation seems to be one of disaster.

Dr.Knuckles · 08-25-2006, 12:22 PM

I would guess you're reading books printed before the economic bubble burst. That's when people were really buzzing about Japan's economic model. The thing is... it did collapse for exactly the reasons you imagined they would.. and the country is nowhere near paying it off.

As a result of a culture based on never, EVER admitting the truth about mistakes or failures and a generation of kids raised on doing exactly what they were told without question... the nation may never pay off the debts that are still coming to light from that period of madness.

They lost 13 trillion dollars (Canada's GDP is 700 billion) as a result of an economy which refused to admit any loss or failure, refused to calculate losses in public or private accounts, and refused to record debts as debts - continuing to count them as GAINS because losses would cause discomfort and disharmony.

I feel like a hack talking about this. I don't know enough to write intelligently. And I LOVE living here and I LOVE my friends and family.

It's because I've come to love Japan that I hate the things that are rotting it. One of them is education. Another is fierce, institutionalised racism. I'l quote from Kerr. He can say it better and I don't feel so guilty.

Quote:

Wa, the culture of harmony, built the system, and is also the reason that the Japanese put up with the system. The first lesson Japanese school children learn, according to Kerr, is to move in unison. Literally. He writes that in Japanese kindergartens playtime is strictly regulated. The children do the same exercises, run in the same direction. Spontaneity is frowned upon.
The second lesson taught by Japanese schools is that it is a crime to be different. Kids routinely ostracize and haze those who are too bright or too dumb, too fat or too thin, too short or too tall. The hazings have even sometimes resulted in death. But it's all accepted, often encouraged, by authorities.

In terms of instruction, schools concentrate on rote memorization. This process produces literate, obedient people. But it doesn't produce a lot of creative, independent people, Kerr says. Japanese students "have not been taught analytical thinking, the ability to ask unusual or creative questions, a sense of brotherhood with the rest of mankind or curiosity about and love for the natural environment," he writes. These traits actually served Japan well, for a time. The nation set its mind on one goal--becoming an industrial powerhouse. The banking system funneled money to the great manufacturing concerns. The school system turned out millions of hard-working, obedient workers. But once this train was set in motion, it became impossible to stop or even to alter its course.

Institutions that should help correct Japan's problems don't seem to have much effect. Japan has a nominally free press, but the government and businesses restrict information by providing it only to members of tightly controlled press clubs. Reporters or media outlets that offend bureaucrats or top business officials run the risk of losing their access to any information.

The only thing I disagree with is the 'nominally free press'. It's not even close to nominal. A journalist saying something uncomfortable about a Japanese authority who made an error would be like you cutting off your own hand if it dropped something. The idea is ludicrous. The journalist and the official are both Japanese... they are the same. His mistake is Japan's mistake, the news is Japanese news. Why would Japan criticice Japan???

Now try and compare that to the ideal (ideal, not reality) in the West that the newspaper has an obligation to the truth that is GREATER than the obligation of keeping feelings of comfort. That ideal has never even been entertained in Japanese culture. The idea that two Japanese people would disagree in public is scandelous. It would be shameful.

Seriously - I so recommend the book. Dogs and Demons. Here's a review.
Tales from the dark side: Divining the causes of Japan's economic nightmare. . - Culture & Reviews - Dogs and Demons: Tales front the Dark Side of Japan - book review Reason - Find Articles