There are different challenges for Japanese people learning the English language. With any language, there’s vocabulary, grammar and, cultural awareness to consider but, how does your culture affect your English?
Influences on personality
We are all different; how we think, feel and behave is unique to us. You may think identical twins would be the same but you would be wrong; even conjoined twins have different personalities. Our personality is how we think, feel, and behave.
How your personality has developed is influenced by culture, sociology, and psychology.
I’m not an expert on Japanese culture, sociology, or psychology although, I can see patterns in behaviour and I am aware of peoples’ feelings. I think there is a pressure or, responsibility for some Japanese people not to rock the boat, not to be different, to be considerate to other people before themselves. To be different or inconsiderate would be embarrassing or trouble-causing for others.
In one of my English classes, a student apologized for not liking cats because it was a different opinion from another student. The student who doesn’t like cats was considerate to the student who likes cats. Why? Shouldn’t the person who likes cats apologize to the person who doesn’t like cats, too? Understanding a different opinion without judgement is true consideration, in my opinion.
Express yourself in English
Is this Japanese culture stopping your English conversation? The English language is a tool to express your thoughts and feelings, not the thoughts and feelings the listener wants to hear. Having a different opinion and expressing it is normal in free English-speaking countries. If you know why you think or feel something and can explain it, that’s communicating; that’s part of your personality. It’s heart-to-heart communication that Masami and I guide English learners with; it’s not our voice or personality, it’s our students’ thoughts and feelings; part of their personality.
In your Japanese life, there are different expectations of you, however, English is a language with a different culture. There are fewer social restrictions in English with the freedom of “I think…” and “I feel…”.
Say what you think
“I” and “why” are a part of English conversation. Before having a conversation, be aware of your thoughts and feelings and not be afraid to say what you think. Conversely, hear different opinions to help with your conclusions. With conversation and discussion, your thoughts may change although, you need to have an opinion before you can converse and discuss.
【あなたの心が伝わるあなただけの英語】
英語でのコミュニケーションを、あなたらしい英語で。
一人一人のレベル、能力、興味に合った教材や方法を用いた英語レッスンプログムを
オンラインで学べます。
”あなたの英語”でコミュニケートしたい方は、まずは無料カウンセリングをご予約ください。
