1. Introduction
English is the most widely spoken language in the world and is used as a common language among many countries. However, in Japan, the situation is quite different. Despite the fact that English has been taught in Japanese schools for decades, most Japanese people still don’t speak English fluently.
In this article, we will explore why do most Japanese don’t speak English and examine some of the main factors that contribute to this phenomenon. We will also look at how these factors can be addressed and what measures can be taken to help improve the English language skills of Japanese people.
2. Reasons why Japanese don’t speak English
There are several reasons why most Japanese people don’t speak English fluently:
3. Cultural Differences
One of the primary reasons why many Japanese people don’t speak English is due to cultural differences between Japan and other countries where English is more commonly spoken. In Japan, there is a strong emphasis on respect for elders and authority figures, which can lead to an unwillingness to take risks or make mistakes when speaking a foreign language like English. Additionally, there is also a strong focus on politeness in communication which can make it difficult for many Japanese people to express themselves confidently in English without feeling embarrassed or ashamed.
4. Educational System in Japan
Another factor that contributes to why many Japanese people don’t speak English is due to the educational system in Japan which focuses heavily on memorization rather than practical application of knowledge and skills such as speaking a foreign language like English. As a result, many students are not given enough opportunity to practice their language skills outside of a classroom setting which makes it difficult for them to become proficient speakers of any foreign language including English.
5. Lack of Exposure to English Language
In addition to cultural differences and educational systems, another major factor contributing to why many Japanese people don’t speak English fluently is due to lack of exposure to the language outside of school or work settings. This lack of exposure means that even if someone has learned how to read and write in English at school or through self-study, they may not have had enough opportunities for real-world practice with native speakers which would help them become more confident speakers of the language over time.
6 Difficulties in Pronunciation
The pronunciation rules of the English language can also be difficult for native Japanese speakers as they contain sounds that do not exist in their own native tongue such as “th” or “v” sounds which require careful practice and repetition before they can be mastered by non-native speakers. Additionally, intonation patterns used when speaking sentences can also be difficult for non-native speakers since they often differ significantly from those used when speaking their own native languages like Japanese.
7 Fear of Making Mistakes
Finally, another major reason why many Japanese people struggle with learning how to speak fluent English is due to fear of making mistakes when communicating with native speakers which can lead them feeling embarrassed or ashamed if they mispronounce words or make grammatical errors while speaking with someone who speaks better than them. This fear often leads many learners into avoiding situations where they could potentially make mistakes such as talking with native speakers or attending classes/conversation clubs where everyone speaks better than them leading them into a state where they never get enough practice needed for improving their skills over time..
8 Conclusion
In conclusion, there are several factors contributing towards why most Japanese don’t speak fluent english including cultural differences between Japan and other countries where english is more commonly spoken; educational system focusing heavily on memorization rather than practical application; lack of exposure; difficulty pronouncing certain sounds; and fear making mistakes when communicating with native speakers.. However, by taking steps such as providing more opportunities for real-world practice outside classroom settings; encouraging conversation clubs; providing resources such as online courses/apps etc., it’s possible for learners improve their english speaking skills over time..
9 Resources
Tokoyama CR (2021). Why Do Most Japanese Don’t Speak Fluent English? Retrieved from https://www.japaninsidersguideblog
Why do most Japanese don’t speak English?
A lack of fluent English-speaking language teachers and a lack of practical opportunities to speak or use English outside the classroom also contribute to low English proficiency nationally.
Why is Japanese struggling with English?
Japanese has only 114 different vowel and consonant sounds while Latin has about 2100 different phonemes. Although Japanese people can read English well it is very difficult to pronounce words correctly.
Is it common for Japanese people to speak English?
Do Japanese People Speak English? Japanese is the main language spoken in Japan. However, according to studies somewhere between 13 and 30 per cent of Japanese people also speak some level of English. although only around 9per cent say they feel confident using English.
What percentage of Japan speak English?
30 percent
Well, according to the survey, there are only 30 percent of people in Japan who speak English. Though Japan is a vast and strong country, it is still behind in English literacy as compared to other countries.
What do Japanese think of foreigners?
In a broad sense the Japanese view foreigners in many other countries as a general indifference. They have nothing to do with them and do not care. In response to anothers response the relationship is described as love-hate but this is really false and wrong.
Which country is best at English?
Netherlands
2022 country rankings2022 RankCountry2022 Score1Netherlands6612Singapore6423Austria6284Norway627107 more rows