Everyone in Japan, apparently, is learning English all the time. No one, it seems, is really speaking it.
There are large chains of Ei-kaiwa clinics (English conversation schools) and small English language boutiques everywhere you turn. Their advertisements promise advancement in life, love and career if you just master English using some patented method. There are books (of course), magazines, websites and even weekly television shows on major networks that propose to unlock the secret of English. Mother, daughter, grandma, student, lawyer, chef —they all want to learn English. And yet, in spite of the fact that the Japanese begin language training early and import thousands of English-speaking foreigners to help them, they are not succeeding in their quest.
I suspect if Americans put half as much effort into foreign language learning — even learning Japanese—we would fare significantly better. (This is not a compliment to my country; it’s just one more commentary on wasted potential). And look at the Europeans! What separates us, I think, is a willingness to experiment and speak fluid but faulty speech. I adore the Japanese desire to excel and to excel at English, but until their methods and attitudes change they will always be learning but never speaking.