Iwareru and meiwaku

 Feb 15 2024

    When we are in ESL classroom in most of the cases we are used to some methods and routines that may be part of our learning process. As example, it is common that in America, teachers try to encourage students to make as many questions as needed in order to ensure that the information transmitted was clearly explained. However, when we are in ESL classrooms we come across different cultural practices that may make feel unconformable to some students. For instance, in Japan there is something called Iwareru and meiwaku. According to Gregory (1983) has indicated that two major components of this system of values in Japan are iwareru (spoken of by others) and meiwaku (inconvenience toothers). This means that iwareru makes students think about what other maythink if they make something, and meiwaku makes students thinks if what they do may cause inconvenience with others.

    Placing this in the classroom, in a Japanese student’s mind when they make or answer a questions they may think: this questions may cause inconvenient the rest of the class (meiwaku) and when answering a questions they may feel as the other may think I am showing off since I know the answer ( iwareru). In a ESL classroom this can mark a difference between American and Japanese students. Beacuase American students can be used to shared their opinion, Japanesase students may avoid acting in the class to avoid meiwaku or iwareru. Since in some Japanese classrooms teachers are seen as authority and students needs to pay full attention, questions can be allow when teachers requires to have an answer.

 

    In conclusion, we have to take into account our students background at the time we have a class and when we are trying to have participation in the class. Since no all the students can be conformable when participating, and this would be due to they are not willing to share they ideas and opinions. They participation can be also influence by cultural background