WHEN EAST MEETS WEST AND THEN SOME
Commentary By Hank F. Miller Jr.
(Hank is a former resident of Gloucester City who now lives in Japan where he operates an English language school.)
Me talk eigo (English) some day ,I hope.
Back in the good old days,say up until 15 or 20 years ago, English
conversation was mainly studied here at THE MILLER ENGLISH SCHOOL,by
college students, international travelers, researchers and employees
about to be transfered overseas.
These days,however,the keenest English language learners are middle
aged salerymen (white collar worker).
This may come as a suprise to many, as salerymen have long been assumed
to be among the most nationalistic and insular type of Japanese
around,not to mention the most linguistically challenged.
But for these salerymen,learning to speak English is no hobby:
It\’s a matter of survival in the workplace, according to Shukan Asahi.
For one,it\’s a workplace that,as Japan\’s economy opens up to more
overseas investment, has increasingly become populated by foreign
managers.In addition,downsizing by Japan\’s recession-hit employers
means many workers are finding themselves in desperate need of
practical skills that will enhance their value to their companies.
The automotive industry is a clear illustration of the high-profile
presence of foreign bosses in Japan.
Of the nation\’s \”Big Five\”companies.Three are now presided over by
non-Japanese. The president of Nissan Motor co.as of just a few years
ago is Franco-Brazilian Carlos Ghoshn;
Mazda Motor Co.has Americam Mark Fields and Mitsubishi Motors Corp is
headed by Rolf Eckrodt, a German.
In addition, some foreign investers have huge ventures in mind for
Japan.U.S.megaretailer Wal-Mart,for one has bought strategic steak in
supermarket chain Seibu Ltd.,with aim of expanding throughout the
country.
In short,Japanese office workers are increasingly having to use English
at the work site on a regular basis.
One of the most popular providers of English-language education
materials is NHK Book,an affiliate of the national broadcaster that
airs related educational programs on TV and radio.
The overwhelming majority of people buying these textbooks are
salerymn,\”says an NHK-Book representative.\”Right now,English is
necessay for these people to get ahead in their companies.
For many,their study and toil are in preparation for the Test of
English for international Communication, better known as
Toeic.
At large Japanese companies,Toeic scores are increasingly being linked
directly to employees\’ prospects of seeking promotions.So this is where
we THE MILLER ENGLISH SCHOOL comes in.
We were contacted several years ago by various companies to teach
employees at their company offices in the evenings under a teaching
contract.
We became extremely busy and are still teaching most of the companies
employees but here at out school.
\”If you don\’t get at least 600 points on t6he test score,you won\’t
qualify to become a section chief,\”a representative of IBM Japan
LTD.Informed me some time ago.
The maximum score is 990, which has been achieved three times and they
are known in the media as\”the TOEIC masters.\”
As friend in business has pointed out that many hurried salerymen in
these tough economic times don\’t have much free time to spend
studying.The solution,he says,is to use the time spent riding on trains
to and from their offices.
\” Commuting time fixed and consistent,so it can be set aside,\” he
says.\”It\’s important to prepare an environment that makes studying
easy.\”
But at the moment we are overwhelmed with students not only fron
companies,but school children from K to 12 and college,not to mention
housewives,storekeepers,local
hospital workers,Offrice staff,doctors,nurses etc.
We\’ve been downsizing here at the MILLER ENGLISH SCHOOL as well d0 to
much of our time spent working and we have been putting students on
waiting list to begin their lessons.
At one point just a few years ago we were working anywhere form 8 to 15
hours a day except on sunday.And believe me it was no easy task and at
my age of 70,I believe it\’s downsizing time for us here at THE MILLER
ENGLISH SCHOOL JAPAN too.
Warm Regards From Kitakyushu City, Japan