作者:快乐生活
链接:https://www.zhihu.com/question/657681861/answer/3587613272
来源:知乎
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The phenomenon of Japan becoming increasingly Westernized while still facing challenges with English proficiency can be attributed to several factors:
1. **Cultural Identity**
- **Preservation of Tradition:** Despite Western influences in many aspects of life, Japan places a high value on its cultural identity and traditions, which may lead to a reluctance to fully embrace Western languages.
2. **Education System**
- **Focus on Grammar and Reading:** The Japanese education system tends to emphasize grammar, reading, and writing over speaking and listening skills. This often results in students who can read and write English but struggle with conversational fluency.
- **Limited Exposure:** Many students have limited opportunities to practice speaking with native speakers, which can hinder their ability to communicate effectively.
3. **Language Structure**
- **Differences in Language:** Japanese and English are structurally very different, which can make learning English challenging for native Japanese speakers. The syntax, phonetics, and vocabulary are distinct, leading to difficulties in pronunciation and comprehension.
4. **Societal Attitudes**
- **Fear of Making Mistakes:** There can be a cultural stigma around making mistakes in public, discouraging practice and open communication in English.
- **Lack of Necessity:** In many daily life situations, Japanese is sufficient for communication, reducing the motivation to learn English extensively.
5. **Media Influence**
- **Western Culture without Language Acquisition:** While Japan consumes a significant amount of Western media (films, music, etc.), this doesn't always translate into language skills, as people may enjoy the content without actively learning the language.
6. **Government and Policy**
- **Policy Implementation:** Although there have been efforts to improve English education in Japan, implementation may vary widely across schools, leading to inconsistent learning experiences.
Conclusion
In summary, while Japan has embraced many aspects of Western culture, various educational, societal, and psychological factors contribute to the ongoing challenges Japanese people face in achieving high levels of English proficiency. The combination of cultural pride, educational focus, and language differences plays a crucial role in this complex dynamic.