Japanese Attitudes to English : Towards an Explanation of Poor Performance

概要

論文の詳細を見る
Many theories have been suggested to explain the failure of Japanese English education to produce a larger number of proficient users of the language. Through an examination of past and present English language policy, this paper argues that any attempt to isolate the cause of this phenomenon must move beyond linear modes of analysis and take into account more socio/psycholinguistic factors. It is suggested that attitudinal factors have had a large influence over how and why English has been disseminated in Japan. It is concluded that the most recent curricular reforms stressing communicative English abilities will prove to be unsuccessful without first addressing widely held negative attitudes and discriminatory practices affecting Japanese English language speakers. To that end, the author proposes that any curricular reform must also include greater attention paid to prestige planning.