After looking around on the internet and reading a few things about how Japan's school culture is very different from ours, here are some of the major differences that stood out:
1: American classes are more interactive, encouraging students to raise their hand and ask questions. In Japan, students would almost never interrupt a teacher to ask a question.
2: American students have a much friendlier relationship with their teacher. We chat with our teachers after classes as if they were our friends, and they call us by our given names. In Japan, students speak very politely with their teachers and students are called by their family name.
3: In Japan, material is taught through memorization; students write exactly what the teacher says and that is what they are tested on, nothing more. In America, we students are expected to not only understand what we are taught, but to be able to use that knowledge in situations we have not encountered. A Japanese student would probably not do well on an American test that would involve writing an essay that requires them to reason or give their opinions, instead of just listing facts and dates.
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1. It is almost true. I had this experience from elementary to high school. but students in collages are more interactive.
ReplyDeletequite students=静（しず）かな学生
"I have a question, teacher" = 先生、しつもんがあります。
2. Yes, we have to be very careful to use polite words to teacher. We never used casual language to elder people and teachers. But, I like American way better.
3. very good point. That's why, I had difficulties in studying here.
memorization=暗記（あんき）
exam=試験（しけん）
I very much so agree with all of your notes; especially your third comment. I never have taken classes in Japan, although i can say that only about 5% of what i am taught during my college lectures (and this certainly does "not" pertain to) is actually to what we are expected to know for exams and so on. The past 3 math classes i have taken all dealt with on-line homework only, yet what we learn in class and what is expected to be known on-line is completely different.
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