Quote:
Originally Posted by maianhvk
My friend's father told us that when he came to Japan some years back, he needed directions once or twice and couldn't manage to ask anyone but the hotel concierges. Nobody spoke English, except for those who worked in hotels. I myself didn't believe it so, and I thought maybe it was a suburb area. Until you confirmed that.
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If you want help in English when in Japan, you should ask a college or high school student, or ask a older retired man. The students get 4-6 years of English in school, and if lucky enough, will have had a Native English speaking Assistant Language Teacher so they aren't afraid to try yo speak. The old retired gentleman learned their English from the G.I.s at the end of W.W.II when they were hustling food and cigarettes on the streets trying to stay alive.
20 years ago we needed to write down English questions so that they could answer them. They had no experience with speaking or listening, only translating. But things are changing rapidly here, and most elementary schools have Native English speaking teachers coming in 2-3 days a week to talk with the kids.
Stitchawl