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Japan and Its Standardized Test-Based Education System For some positives in Japanese education, 1 need look no further

than the local kindergarten or the nearby elementary school. For everything apart from English education, they are performing a good to fantastic job of educating the kids of Japan. Classes are creative, teachers are caring, on the entire, and students are happy and studying. Were the whole education system to be like this from kindergarten towards the finish of university, the Japanese people would be happier, healthier and more productive, each in GDP and creative terms. Sadly, this all ends at age 12. Those are the years that exam hell begins and from which students never really recover. The standardized test-based education system of Japan that begins in the junior high school years kills any kind of initiative, creativity and especially thinking outside with the box. Sadly, these last 3 are what Japan particularly needs within the 21st century; perhaps Japan`s most difficult 100 years but. For many years now, Japan has employed this test-based education program and passing the all essential tests is what educators and students, not to mention parents, are focused on. The result of all this test-taking and stress, is a nation of order takers who have trouble generating decisions, let alone stating an opinion. Do not think me? When you subsequent meet a Japanese, just for fun, ask them their opinion on some thing. If they're able to give an opinion, then do this: Ask them why? Why do they feel that way? In many cases, they'll be stumped. In spite of this standardized test hell that most Japanese discover themselves in during their school years, a couple of would-be Michelangelos manage to slip via. Most, however, have their creative thoughts stripped from them or numbed into oblivion. Recently, one of my bright Japanese students returned from North America to as soon as again study at his old university in Japan. He was shocked in the passivity with the students. He hadnt realized how passive, nonresponsive and void of opinions Japanese university students were. He stated that in America, he studied with students from all over the globe and he enjoyed hearing and expressing his opinion with other people. He couldnt comprehend how the students of Japan were so passive and quiet. He expressed the desire to go back to America as soon as possible to study there. Many Japanese who have lived abroad have said the same thing. In the news, Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama has been dubbed loopy by the American press, particularly due to his lack of decision-making on the Okinawa base problem. Once he created a choice, he then turned about and reneged on it, and apologized to Okinawans for his backslide. But this lack of decision-making capability is not restricted to the general populace; it occurs in all ranks of Japanese society. Hatoyama, of course, is really a product of this education system. It isnt only the students who're having a difficult time; the teachers are too. Numerous need to take time off function due to stress, whilst others

produce a life of drudgery for their pupils. Numerous Japanese seem to have lost their adore for education and learning as soon as they enroll in junior high school. Indeed, an excessive amount of testtaking might lead to shallow learning along with a negative feeling toward school. For the future, Japan needs to ask itself: Are we making the individuals we have to solve the issues with the future? If the answer is no, then this really is a recipe for disaster. Japan needs creative thinkers, individuals who can believe outside of the box to solve the problems of immigration, an aging population, unemployment, off-shore employment, trade, and, of course, the environment. Nevertheless, perhaps the most pressing problem will be the psychological wellness with the citizens. For this latter, and also the other problems mentioned above, I think you will find valuable lessons to be learned in kindergarten. By on Know more about Japan

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