Tomoyuki Kurata: To Speak Clearly

2023/01/30

At Keio Yokohama Elementary School, there is a subject called "Kotoba" (Language). The goal is to acquire "critical thinking" and "language arts." As the person in charge of this subject, I am involved in curriculum development and lesson study. On the other hand, separate from this, there is something I regularly encourage students to practice. That is the method of stating important information first and then providing details when conveying something to others. Whether making an argument or a report, it is vital to speak in this order. This is because doing so significantly improves clarity.

When making an argument, state the conclusion first and then provide the reasoning. By speaking in this order, students become able to express their opinions effectively. Our society is a high-context culture. If a child says a single word, "It's cold," most adults will probably turn on the heater. In a society where the speaker's dependence on others' understanding is permitted, the ability to assert oneself does not develop naturally. Clearly conveying one's thoughts and providing reasoning to support their validity is an essential skill for students living in a high-context culture.

When reporting, first state the core facts concisely, followed by a detailed description. By speaking in this format, students become better at informing others of their experiences. Japanese is a language characterized by pre-modification. A child using that language might find an insect and report it as follows: "I went to the schoolyard during recess earlier, and there, I found a long, thin, rainbow-colored, mysterious insect." The lack of clarity in this report lies in the fact that the listener is not informed of the fact "I found an insect" until the very end of the sentence. Without being conscious of the redundancy of the Japanese language, the ability to report will not improve on its own. Stating the core fact in a short sentence and then providing a specific description is a habit that all students who use Japanese should acquire.

Ten years have passed since the school opened, and the number of students who can make persuasive arguments and clear reports is increasing. However, compared to people living in low-context cultures with post-modifying languages, the gap between us remains large. Inspired by the students who grow every day, I too wish to practice what I preach and be someone who can speak clearly. "learning while teaching, teaching while learning" will continue to be my guidepost.