Or to ask differently: what do you think is good about the concept?
But this doesn't relate anything on why Japanse suck at English despite of all hard work on school.
It's a shame from where I see but it's ok cuz most people don't speak English.
Starting today, elementary schools has started to teach English to 5th(10 to 11 years old)graders. So that's 2 more years to learn English which adds up 8 years all together.
We'll have to wait and see our score improve. I doubt it.
Disclaimer first: I'm absolutely no expert, by very far, on Japan or Japanese culture. I am writing this mostly to get answers from those who know better.
>>Don't you think the whole "lose face" part of the japanese culture is a run down model?
I don't know if I believe the face thing is the bad part.
I admire the hard work and dedication of the Japanese worker.
I'd guess (see disclaimer!) that the present problems rest with the higher levels of organisation in their society. A lack of accountability, from top to bottom.
Japan has, simplified, had a recession for close to two decades. I really don't want to know how a Western society would look in similar circumstances.