In Japan, if you can't speak English, you're a loser in life

A few weeks ago, a language school in Shinjuku, Tokyo with the rather dramatic name of Fortress Japan got into trouble when they were caught, amongst other things, 1. harvesting snail and email addresses under false pretenses (in the guise of conducting surveys), and 2. threatening people to sign up for their English conversation classes by trying to scare them. The specific phrase they used was "If you don't know how to speak English, you will be a -

人生の敗北者　じんせいのはいぼくしゃ　jinsei no haibokusha

This literally means a loser in life. The amazing thing to me is that this actually worked on more than a few people, who gave their money over to these people.

I live in Zürich, a multicultural and multi-lingual city where there are lots of ads for language schools. But that doesn't even begin to compare with the number of language-school ads that you see in trains, on billboards and other places in Japan. About 1 in 4 ads seem to be for language schools, and the no. 1 language to be learned (though Chinese seems to be creeping up in popularity) is still English.

What is sad is that by the time they have finished high school, most Japanese people have had at least six years of mandatory English classes, if not more. There are English 'juku' (cram schools, after-school classes) for kids as young as kindergarten age. The widely acknowledged problem with English education in Japan is that it's still oriented towards rote learning of grammar rules and spelling, rather than actually learning how to speak and understand the language - because it's easier to test kids on grammar and such than on if they can conduct a simple conversation.

There have been many attempts made to improve the way in which English is taught in Japan, but still, many people labor to speak it.

I am lucky enough to have learned to speak English when I was very young. It's not even my second language anymore - in terms of ease of use, it may even be my first. Whenever I am in Japan and it comes out that I speak English, the reactions I get are rather interesting. Mostly I just hear "羨ましい　(うらやましい　urayamashii) - (I'm) envious". But on the negative side, there is a mix of envy, fear, disdain and dismissal. (I've heard other bilingual Japanese people talk about getting this kind of reaction. Kikoku shijo (帰国子女　きこくしじょ）, or kids who return to Japan after some time spent in another country, were and may still be regular targets for bullying in Japanese schools.) I think that my English fluency, more than my many years of living outside of Japan, make me an 'other' to a lot of Japanese people. I've even been told, in some off moments by people who were either drunk or just out to be snarky, that I was a 'gaijin' - a foreigner, and that I didn't count as a true Japanese person. Not very nice. I've learned to keep my English-speaking-self under wraps for the most part, since I am not fond of unnecessary conflict.

Still, from now on if I run into such people, I can tell them that they are a loser in life. Or, at least think it silently. ^_^

Comments

[Jon E.]

Hahaha, loved the last line! :)

[rei yano]

you rock Maki! Sometimes some Japanese people can be particularly good at alienating others.

[Leaf]

You said it, it's kind of ridiculous but most of them will never be able to say a word in English, even after those crazy 10 years of study. Meaning you must feel unconfortable enough with yourself to bully some capable-other,I bet. Loved the last line!

[kim]

When visiting Hiroshima a group of elementary school children asked me some questions in English, they had to take a survey in English for a school task. Some had trouble writing English too, so they asked me if I could fill out their form myself. When I had a look a the questions (in English) there were several mistakes there, mostly grammatical or awkward translations. I thought it was too bad that those children didn't even get the correct instructions from school, that way they wouldn't even be able to learn the language well no matter how much they would 'cram'.

And I actually think that 'loser in life' is a pretty great expression, the Japanese sure can insult in style :D

[Matt]

Pff... I would kill to be able to speak Japanese. I don't know why speaking English is such a big deal.

[chad]

haha, loved the last line. GET UM!

[Nat]

Maybe (quite probably rather) these dismissive and envious reactions to your bilingualism aren't specific to Japan.
I live in France, have been living here since i was a child, and get the same type of treatment (well, in French, though, not Japanese!). Of course, some people think it's wonderful that a single person is able to fully master two languages, and enjoy asking questions and getting a different point of view and such, but mostly people just try to prove me wrong and point out any flaws they can. I'm also not treated as American when in the presence of fellow Americans, nor am I considered French. The bane of the bilingual brain i suppose... "le cul entre deux chaises".
English (really bad, archaic English) is drilled into the heads of little Frenchies from elementary school here as well. Taught mostly by French people who don't actually speak English of course, and who have never lived in an English-speaking country. Maybe that's where the snide remarks come from, the fact that non-fluent English-speakers think that you (me, we...) have it easy and never had to suffer through shitty language classes and make the effort of learning a foreign language. Which is untrue of course.
That being said, I'm sooooo jealous of you... I wish I spoke Japanese! :)

[Rachel]

hahah u rock! =) Be proud.

[LadyEos]

The truth is that what Nat says not only occurs in Japan or in France.. but in all countries where English is not the first language. We Mexicans have it worse because USA is just "skipping the border" and very few of us really learn English, so the other two thirds of the population is either jealous or bitter. Also other good languages schools are just too difficult to find! Ive got 4+ years trying to learn Japanese and recently French and there's hardly anyone to practice with... and quite different of you all I would have been perfectly happy to go to Japanese Saturday classes!! if such existed in mexico that is
ps.. ai lof ol ur blags!

[Sindre Benonisen]

Knowing multiple languages is something i admire and aspire to do myself. I know 2 languages by heart, and a third well enough to read and understand. But for a european thats not really much i guess. I think the dutch and swiss usually speak 4 or more fluently?

And for those who would grief on you for beeing able to speak good english i'm just going to agree with you that they are losers. Anyone who looks down on someone for beeing good at something doesn't deserve respect from anyone.

When it comes to learning other languages i think tv, movies and books is a good way to do it. Scandinavians for instance, i think one of the reasons they are so good at english is because they don't dub anything there. Both TV and Movies are shown in their original language no matter where it's from.

Best Regards

[[email protected]]

I find it interesting (not necessarily in a good way) That it seems like there's advertisements everywhere in Japan promoting English and everyone learns it in school yet there are still people saying mean things to those who can speak it well, or treat them differently. Seems like a big double standard (is that the right term?)

Love your blog by the way :)

[JGeeks]

Interesting. Two years ago when I was with my now ex-girlfriend in Japan, I noticed some people took real offense to us. I noticed especially after she started speaking English to me again (after a three-day Japanese immersion period) certain people would give us really dirty looks. I had assumed it was because of our bi-racial relationship, but it never occurred to me that it could have to do with her bilingual ability. In all fairness, some people gave us very friendly smiles. Very insightful post, and I feel for you being made to feel like an outsider in the country you were born in. That must be hard.

Great post!

[English Translator]

Wow, I never knew that you were thought of so badly if you can't speak English in Japan. I do think however, that other countries should take a leaf from this book and do the same. In England we feel it is not necessary to learn a second language and I think this should change in the future, especially now we are living in a multicultural society.

[Jessica]

I can speak fluent French, how easy is to to learn Japanese? I know a few words, as I did live and learn to drive out there some years ago, but I am really wanting to progress.

[ava]

I lived in Japan for some years, if you have a good teacher then you will learn fast, however, it all depends on how much effort you put into to learning the language, easier to speak than write!

[ella]

I wish more countries thought like this, I mean lets face it, the amount of people coming over to England who cannot speak English is not good.

[Amelia]

Just like the Japanese do, we should all do the same, I mean lets face it most English speakers can only speak one language English - and some people can't do that very well.

[Ray]

Thank you for a very interesting site, and many interesting posts.
Your creative writing is very much appreciated.
I am an English teacher in Bangkok Thailand, yet from New Zealand.
I do not think I will use the "Fortress" method for getting new students here in Bangkok.

greats posts, very interesting, thank you again :)

http://www.bangkokenglishcourse.com/

Ray :)

[Radkoaleks]

I reside in This particular language, have been existing here since i was a kid, and get the same form of therapy (well, in This particular language, though, not Japanese!). Of course, some individuals think it's amazing that an individual is able to completely expert two dialects, and appreciate asking concerns and getting a different perspective and such, but mostly individuals just try to confirm me incorrect and factor out any defects they can. I'm also not handled as National when in the use of other People in america, nor am I regarded This particular language.

[sukdhdjck]

ha i like this

[Ando]

Hi Maki,

Being full Mexican born, I can relate on the bilingual issue. Only in my circumstance, my skin color is as pale as snow. My only distinguishable features are dark hair and eyes, otherwise I pass off as A weird hybrid of Caucasian. An apparent "curse" from having a European descent, that seemingly plagues a minority of Mexican people.

My English ability is thoroughly praised by native speakers, once they know it wasn't my primary language. However, when it comes to my own people, I become the object of light hearted ( to completely unnecessary) ridicule. What is worse, my own people don't recognize me as their own for it. So, in that regard I would understand the gaijin concept.

Still, like in Japan, English is a commodity to learn in Mexico. Even to the point that it has been adopting foreign words from it in recent years. At any case, I took the initiative to learn a third language ( Italian), and I'm now working on a fourth, Japanese. Interestingly enough, Japanese is the easiest I've learned so far. Having the same basic vowel pronunciation helps quite a bit.

Thanks for the post, you are a really wonderful writer. Also, best wishes and hope you get well very soon. You seem to be a hidden gem in the blogosphere. :D