Is it a Joke? Or Disrespect? | Erika Kim / Hosokawa | TEDxNeoCity Academy Youth

Key Concepts

• Respect in the classroom
• Classroom environment
• Disruptions in class
• Teacher appreciation
• Cultural differences in education (US vs. Japan)
• Consideration for others

Introduction

The speaker, who is half-Japanese, discusses the differences between classroom environments in Japan and America, arguing that the level of respect in a classroom directly impacts the learning environment. They draw on personal experiences attending school in both countries and cite research to support their claims.

Classroom Environment: Japan vs. America

• Japan: The speaker describes a highly disciplined environment. Students change shoes upon entering the building, clean the school themselves (no custodial staff), and maintain complete silence when the bell rings. They greet the teacher in unison with "Konnichiwa sensei," which translates to "Good morning, teacher." The speaker jokingly refers to this as "cultish" due to its regimented nature.
• America: The speaker portrays a more chaotic environment. Students often arrive late, continue talking after the bell rings, and require several minutes to settle down. The classroom is described as "loud and boisterous."

The Core Argument: Respect and Classroom Environment

The speaker argues that the classroom environment is directly proportional to the amount of respect students and teachers have for each other. More respect leads to a better learning environment.

• Disrespect = Distractions = Less Learning: The speaker emphasizes that disrespectful behavior leads to distractions, which hinder learning and create other problems.

Disruptions in American Classrooms: Data and Impact

• Frequency of Interruptions: A study by Dr. Kraft found that the average American high school experiences 14 to 20 interruptions per day.
• Time Lost to Disruptions: Education Weekly reported that these disruptions can accumulate to approximately 23 minutes per day.
• Impact on Academic Performance: The speaker notes that math and ELA scores are inversely proportional to the number of interruptions. More interruptions correlate with lower scores.
• International Comparison: The 2022 Program for International Student Assessment (PISA) ranks countries that emphasize respect in classrooms (Korea, Japan, China) higher than the US, which falls around 18th place.

Teacher Frustration and Attrition

• Teacher Appreciation: The speaker recounts an experience where a middle school research teacher cried after being thanked for a lesson, highlighting a lack of appreciation from students.
• Teacher Turnover: A 2021 study by the National Center for Education Statistics revealed that nearly 10% of new teachers in the US quit within their first year, citing underappreciation as a significant factor. In contrast, only 1.9% of new teachers in Japan quit within their first year.

Strengths of American Schools

The speaker acknowledges the strengths of American schools, including:

• Collaboration: American schools are known for their collaborative learning environments.
• Creativity: They foster creativity through projects and activities.
• Freedom of Self-Expression: Students have more freedom to express themselves.
• Hands-on Learning: Labs and projects are used to create a more cohesive learning experience. The speaker mentions science projects involving markers and scissors and English projects requiring students to act out scenes.

The Importance of Consideration

The speaker emphasizes the importance of "consideration" (thinking of others) as a key cultural value instilled in them by their grandmother. They suggest applying this mentality to the classroom:

• Do not speak out while the teacher is talking: To avoid disrupting the lesson.
• Do not use foul language: As it may be offensive to others.
• Do not make snarky or mocking tones towards your teacher: Teachers deserve respect.
• Do not act until you have considered the consequences of your actions: What may seem like a boring class to one student may be a reprieve for another.

Call to Action: Setting Baseline Expectations

The speaker urges teachers to set and enforce clear expectations for student behavior at the beginning of the school year. They believe that by showing respect to students through these expectations, teachers will receive respect in return.

Conclusion

While American schools may not adopt the same level of formality as Japanese schools, the speaker advocates for incorporating baseline expectations to foster a more welcoming and productive learning environment. This environment should encourage creativity, collaboration, and self-expression while maintaining a foundation of respect.