Do you agree with the writer? Why?
Give at least 3 examples to support your answer.
Yes, I do. Maybe I agree with the writer.
I know that English is the acceptance as the global language. Chinese is also spoken by many people, but only many people, that's not to say that people all over the world speak Chinese as English. So, I understand that English is increasingly expected, rather than respected, in the business community. And I see, to this end, Japanese must make a desperate struggle to master fluent English.
I also think that Japanese have a surprisingly low level of fluency in English. The reason being that, in Japan, none of them have historical or cultural ties to the English language. But, Japan managed to become one of the world's largest economies without its people mastering much English. I believe it is because Japan have economic prowess. So, I hold a opinion that Japanese don't have to study English so much.
A government committee's proposal to introduce English into the elementary school curriculum has met surprising protest. Because such as Mr. Ibuki said, teaching English may be necessary in the global community, but as a Japanese, one must first be able to speak proper Japanese. So, foreign-language study doesn't need to be a high priority for children.
In addition, some says that Japanese should be proud that their scores on the TOEFL, the test that assesses English proficiency of non-native speakers, rank among the lowest in Asia. That is the result of the country never having been colonized nor forced to speak another language. I was admiring at this thinking.
I think so, too.
No matter what its neighbors and rivals in Asia have taken the practical road and acquiesced to the English-speaking trend, but in Japan, there is no need for haste in the matter. I believe that children don't have to spend those precious hours studying their own complex language and hardly enough time to confuse children linguistically or do damage to their Japanese in order to speak fluent English.
Additionally, Japan have many many problems. For example, there are remarkably few people who can pronounce the language like a native speaker in Japan. And to forge ahead, Japanese students will also have to overcome their shyness in trying out new words.
Well, whatsoever, I want to say, Japan have got to master Japaneses before to master English. And Japanese must take pride in our culture. I feel sure that it is quite certain that the world's business and economies need to master English in the future. But, I believe the pride is "kokka no hinkaku"!
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