Culturally Responsive Teaching in the Japanese Classroom : A Comparative Analysis of Cultural Teaching and Learning Styles in Japan and the United States
This paper aims to highlight some of the differences between Japanese and American school cultures and cultural learning styles, and to show how some of these differences might pose challenges in the Japanese classroom for foreign teachers familiar with an American-style approach to teaching and learning. There is an examination of characteristics of school culture and teaching and learning styles often found in Japan. There is also a comparison of conversation styles between Japanese and English as it is frequently spoken in America, as well as a section highlighting the impact is culturally influenced habits of foreign teachers on Japanese students. Finally, there is an attempt to offer some solutions to meet these challenges and bridge the gaps between cultures to best facilitate effective language learning. These solutions range from culturally responsive teaching practices that are applicable generally to strategies catered specifically to Japanese learners
