Top 4 Types of Student Most Appreciated by English Teachers (Notes from Under the Tatami Mats–53 … My Adventures in Japan)

This futile process often continues for 3, 4, 5 years or more.

In all honesty, the above 4 types of students were all greatly appreciated, primarily because there were so few of them. 

Learn through osmosis 

The majority of ESL (English as a Second Language) students in Japan have little motivation to learn the language. Admittedly, they may have a (minimal) desire to learn, but most have no aptitude to learn a language, and almost no motivation to study.    

In fact, many students seem to think they can learn simply by osmosis. Which makes it quite difficult for any teacher to teach them anything.     _{(Image source)}

Stop studying. Please!

Many Japanese ESL students make no effort to study outside the classroom. Most of them attend class for only 1 hour per week, and many are incapable of responding to even the most basic questions. Simple questions such as "How are you doing today?"  or "What did you do on the weekend?"

As a result, most teachers can be certain that they will never be able to teach those students anything beyond a few basic phrases – if that!    

And often, this entire futile "educational"  process will continue for 3, 4, 5 years or more. Eventually, the student might realize how pointless it is to spend thousands of dollars and several long years with no noticeable improvement in language proficiency. And if the teacher is lucky, the student will just give up.       _{(Image source)}

   Introduction to – “Notes from Under the Tatami Mats”  _{(right-click on title)}

Top 4 Reasons to Bash Japan or Otherwise Lord it Over the Nation and its People

Top 3 Rates of Interest Paid on Savings Accounts at Japanese Banks

Top 4 Curry Restaurants in Japan

... and more

Links to my Other Series …

      Introduction – "Intro to Vocab-ability"   _{(right-click on title)}
      Guide – "Guide to Entries"   _{(right-click on title)}
      Index– "Index" to all Chapters and Sections   _{(right-click on title)}

      Lou Reed – "Anthology of Memorable Lyrics, Part 1"   _{(right-click on title)}
      Lou Reed – "Anthology of Memorable Lyrics, Part 2"   _{(right-click on title)}

_{Images sourced from Google Images, unless otherwise indicated or unless my own.}