Okada eager to improve English language skills

Wednesday 07th October, 06:26 AM JST

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bgaudry at 02:36 PM JST - 7th October

"I assume he no longer has time for an eikaiwa lesson."

The guy wants to learn English, not sit for an hour with an imbecile who has no teaching experience or skills.
supercub at 02:46 PM JST - 7th October

I assume he no longer has time for an eikaiwa lesson

Start promoting Japanese as an International language Okada! English is coming to an end. Billions of Kanji users will thank you for it.

For the hard of humor: THESE ARE JOKES
gogogo at 03:28 PM JST - 7th October

I can't see how a blog comment is news.
apecNetworks at 03:50 PM JST - 7th October

This problem has come up in my experiences over a few decades. One prominent problem is speed. FM Okada may speak English, but to follow a native speaker discussing a complicated subject, it is hard for some to follow and then respond to the subject in real time. Lack of speed can entail understanding, but the pause to interject a comment is too slow to fit in real time. This problem is seen in all language studies. One remedy is for PM Okada to have demanding, native speaker speed conversations on a regular basis. This may work, but progress would depend heavily on the person he speaks/coached by.
apecNetworks at 03:59 PM JST - 7th October

Addendum: in other words, he would have to have regular conversations w/ someone fluent in English AND who is fluent in foreign policy matters similar to the subjects the Foreign Ministry deals w/ on a regular basis - that person is rare.
oneechan at 05:28 PM JST - 7th October

haha. he's so cute ♥
usaexpat at 11:25 PM JST - 7th October

I'm available for lessons, 4000 yen an hour but since your a government official let's triple that.
cleo at 01:42 AM JST - 8th October

4000 yen an hour but since your a government official let's triple that.

I wonder how much youd be able to charge if you could get you're apostrophe's sorted out.
bobbafett at 02:03 AM JST - 8th October

>

I wonder how much youd be able to charge if you could get you're apostrophe's sorted out.

**youd **? you are as bad as me....well, not that bad.
cleo at 02:18 AM JST - 8th October

you are as bad as me....

lol 'Cept my rampant apostrophe's a're intentional...all of 'em.

:-)
kp123 at 02:54 AM JST - 8th October

From my observation of the Japanese, they are dedicated, if not obsessed, to speak English. Yet very few master or are successful at it. But, the new generation may change all that.
usaexpat at 05:04 AM JST - 8th October

Cleo: You got me, I wish this site had an edit function.
LFRAgain at 08:35 AM JST - 9th October

"Okada also said he believes that interpreters should be used at official meetings."

You mean they aren't?

Although, this also depends on what constitutes and "offical meeting."

Good luck to him. If he really wants to improve though, tapes are only a small part of it. The best thing for him is to get into the thick of it and start speaking more English with real, live warm bodies.
goddifist at 12:53 PM JST - 9th October

well then.... if he joined in on the conversation then he must be at least good at it i mean as long as his English doesn't sound like engrish then he has nothing to worry about
helloklitty at 06:56 AM JST - 13th October

He has plenty of free time and a mind like a sponge so no problem.