An education in violence

Reference

The Japan Times Weekly. (2009, Dec 19). “An education in violence” , Retrieved

Oct. 5, 2010 from http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/ed20091213a1.html

Summary

In this article “An education in violence”, the editor says that the amount

of violence behavior in Japanese schools is increasing. About 60,000 violent

incidents happened in 2008; also, the amount of violent cases reported is up

by 15% from 2007. Moreover, the number of acts of violence to teachers is

increasing. The editor points out that many young people tend to express

their emotion by violence when they face up to a problem. Also, the MEST

claims that many young people cannot communicate with someone well, and they

are not good at controlling their emotion. So, the editor says that the

education system has to stand up to this problem and solve it directly and

systematically. Young people have various problems such us study, sex, or

human relationship; therefore, educators need to help the students to stand

up to these problems and solve them. Also, the editor points out that the

computer and cell phone don’t help them to improve the ability of

communication and to solve their problems. In addition, the depression is

one of the reason that the amount of violent incidents is increasing, and

many parents don’t have enough opportunity to talk and spend with their

children. So, Japanese education needs to support young children and prevent

them from using violence. Schools need to not only guide students clearly,

but also they need to respect the students’ independence; therefore, young

people will notice that violence is the worst choice of all and is

meaningless.

Response

I also agree that recently many young people tend to use violence instead

of communicating with someone. I often watch the news that a child uses

violence and kills their family or friends in Japan. I feel that these

children are lacking in the communication skills and the ability of

solving problems. They cannot express emotion, their opinions, or feelings

with language. Also, I think unstable social conditions cause these

problems for young people. For example, recently many parents have to work

hard to make their own living; therefore, they don’t have enough

opportunity to talk and spend time with their children. Moreover, recently

the number of nuclear families is increasing year by year. So, many young

people don’t have enough opportunity to communicate with their family. In

addition, many young people tend to communicate with their friends, not face

to face, but through internet or cell phone. I feel that these tools are

promoting the lack of communication skills and the ability of solving

problems. Therefore, many young people tend to use violence easily. In the

article, the author points out that schools and the education system have

to prevent the young people from using violence. However, I think the first

family needs to give this problem more careful consideration. For example,

parents have the opportunity to communicate with their children as much as

possible. And, they teach their children that they must not use violence

when their children are young. So, I feel the number of violent incidents

will decrease. Moreover, teachers need to pay attention to student’s

expression, action and way of speaking. If they notice the problem, they

need to have time to talk with the student. When I become a teacher, the

amount of violence will be more increased. I want to keep in touch with

their protectors and have the opportunity to communicate with students as

long as possible. So, I want students to notice that violence is worst

choice of all.

A less-than-desirable ALTernative

Reference

The Yomiuri Shimbun (2010, August 19). “A less-than-desirable ALTernative”,

Sep. 14, 2010 from http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/by/features/language/T1008150

01255.htm

Summary

In the article “A less-than-desirable ALTernative”, the reporter states that 

there are many problems in Japanese English education, and using assistant

language teachers (ALTs) is one of the biggest problems in English education.

Today there are many ALTs in Japan, and they teach English to children at

school. Local governments and schools hope that it is a good experience for

children to study English with ALTs, and children can make progress in their

communication skills by talking with ALTs. However, many local governments

and schools do not employ directly, and most ALTs are employed as third

parties. Because schools do not have enough money to pay  the personnel

expenses, and ALTs are not required to have a the teacher’s license or

teaching experience. So, it is up to schools or local governments to direct

them. Also, few ALTs can speak Japanese fluently. Moreover, according to

this article, Japanese teacher cannot guide ALTs directly; therefore, there are

some problems between them. For example, some Japanese teachers do not

communicate with ALTs during class at all and do not teach English together.

As a consequence, some local governments have begun to employ Japanese

teachers who can speak English fluently instead of employing ALTs. In

addition, in middle or high school, children study  English grammar only to pass

the exam, and they cannot have the opportunity to speak English in class. So,

Rimi Morita said, “I think English classes during primary school are a fun way

for kids to come into contract with foreigners and it will help to motivate them.”

Response

I think it is difficult for some teachers to teach with ALTs during class. I have a

vital reasons that support my opinions. Teachers have to speak English fluently

to communicate with ALTs. It is natural that an English teacher speaks English

fluently; however, however there are many English teachers who cannot speak

English very well in Japan. When I was a middle school student, my English

teacher could not speak English very well. So, even if an ALT came to my

class, she didn’t talk with the ALT at all, and the ALT just read the textbook

and pronounced the words. I think teachers have to speak English fluently to

make use of the ALTs. Moreover, I think the government should reconsider the

employee system of ALTs. I have a crucial reason that supports my argument.

I think it is good experiment for children to communicate with a native speaker;

therefore, I feel the local government should employ more ALTs for children.

However, many local governments don’t have enough money to employ ALTs.

So, I think the Japanese government should provide ALTs with a comfortable

environment such as a stable salary or full employee system. Moreover, the

Education Ministry should give a lecture to every teacher about  how to teach

with ALTs during class and give the opportunity to demonstrate to the class

with ALTs. When I become an English teacher, I want to teach English with

ALTs as much as possible. So, I hope it is good experience for children to talk

with native speaker, and I want them to be interested in English and inter-

cultural communication.