English and Intercultural Communication | Ayame Mochizuki | TEDxGKA

Summary

Maya MAME, a 13-year-old seventh-grader, addresses the importance of English and intercultural communication in Japan. Despite being an English immersion student, she reveals Japan's disappointingly low English proficiency, as seen in global rankings. She identifies cultural shyness and limited opportunities for English use in Japan as barriers. Maya emphasizes the necessity of improving English in a globalizing world, citing its impact on the economy and personal growth. She advocates for creating more English interaction opportunities, both with native speakers and among Japanese, to enhance language skills and embrace intercultural communication, which she believes has positively transformed her identity.

Takeaways

• 📊 Japan's English proficiency ranks relatively low among non-native English speaking countries, as evidenced by its TOEFL IBT and EF EPI scores.
• 🌐 The lack of English usage in daily life in Japan, coupled with a predominantly homogenous society, contributes to the limited opportunities for Japanese people to practice English.
• 🏢 Globalization is increasingly important for Japan's economy, and English proficiency is a critical skill for engaging in international business and maintaining economic competitiveness.
• 🌐 Intercultural communication is vital in a globalized world, and English serves as a bridge for connecting with people from diverse cultural backgrounds.
• 👥 Maya, a 13-year-old student, emphasizes the importance of creating opportunities to practice English, especially through interaction with native speakers.
• 📈 Japan's decline in global market capitalization rankings reflects its need to embrace globalization and improve its English proficiency to stay competitive.
• 🌍 English is the language of international business, media, and entertainment, and its widespread use gives those proficient in English a significant advantage in various fields.
• 💡 Maya suggests that using English among Japanese people can be beneficial, despite the initial discomfort, as it helps create a habit of speaking the language.
• 🌟 Intercultural communication has a positive impact on personal growth, helping individuals become more confident, assertive, and open-minded.
• 🌈 Learning and using English can lead to the development of a unique global identity that combines the best aspects of different cultures.

Q & A

What is the main topic Maya discusses in her speech?

Maya discusses the importance of English and intercultural communication, particularly in the context of Japan's current English proficiency levels and the impact of globalization.

How does Maya describe her experience as a seventh-grader at an English immersion school?

Maya describes her experience as a seventh-grader at an English immersion school as the biggest event in her life so far, expressing both excitement and nervousness about speaking on the red carpet.

What was Japan's ranking in TOEFL IBT scores among non-native English speaking Asian countries in 2015?

In 2015, Japan was ranked 15th out of 18 non-native English speaking Asian countries for the TOEFL IBT score.

What does Maya suggest as a reason for Japan's low English proficiency levels?

Maya suggests that Japan's low English proficiency levels are due to cultural shyness and a lack of opportunities to use English in daily life, as Japan is an island country with few foreigners.

How does Maya propose to improve English proficiency in Japan?

Maya proposes creating more interpersonal opportunities for spoken English, especially interactions with native English speakers, and using the internet to connect with people from around the world.

What is the significance of English in the global context according to Maya?

Maya highlights that English is significant in the global context as it is one of the most spoken and used languages, the official language of over 50 countries, and the language of most media, entertainment, and business.

How does Maya define intercultural communication?

Maya defines intercultural communication as the ability to communicate with people from different cultural backgrounds or social groups, which is becoming increasingly important in a globalizing world.

What personal impact has intercultural communication had on Maya?

Intercultural communication has made Maya more assertive and confident, allowing her to express herself more freely and positively blending cultural differences.

What are the three main points Maya wants the audience to remember from her speech?

The three main points Maya wants the audience to remember are: 1) Japan's English level is low due to cultural backgrounds and lack of opportunities, 2) English is important for various reasons including globalization, and 3) Intercultural communication is crucial for reaching out across different cultures.

How does Maya suggest having a second language can benefit an individual?

Maya suggests that having a second language can improve an individual by preparing them for a globalizing world, widening their view, deepening their understanding of different identities, and helping to build a unique global identity.