Whatever you do, you need a spoonful of courage and activeness; so do the Japanese who want to improve their English.
Communicating in a language other than one’s mother tongue is just like joining a handicapped match; you need to build your “Identity” by yourself; courage and activeness does count as well.
Decades ago, I was tested my courage and activeness to create my identity in an international community. Six months after my joining a traditional Japanese firm, I was invited to a party by
my English teacher. It was held in her apartment house of two six-tatami rooms at night, where around twenty people participated; they just had chats in small groups over canned beer
and snack confectionery.
There was neither a formal toasting speech nor a closing speech as Japanese traditional parties had; no reserved seat for each; each person came and disappeared at his/her convenience. Before the party started I was told by the English teacher, “Excuse me but I have no time tonight to take care of you. Join a circle of people and enjoy! “. She was popular and busy as the host.
The small rooms were filled with people from USA, UK, Australia, New Zealand, Ethiopia, Hong Kong, Korea and other foreign countries; a couple dancing and kissing in a tiny balcony; a girl lying down spread-eagled on a tatami mat- I could not believe such an international gathering was held in small rooms in a local city in Japan.
Soon I found it difficult to follow their fast English and became speechless; I felt I was left behind from others; I might as well had been invisible to them.
In a flash, I came up with an idea and did it accordingly to get out of this miserable situation- I stood on my head against a wall. Just after that, men and women in the room started to look at me, taking photos and tickling my belly.
After all , I realized I could establish my IDENTITY and became one of their colleagues .