Learning and Not Learning

Smith’s view of learning is informative and relevant to the Japanese context of teaching and learning English. For Smith, learning is continues and vicarious. We learn best through active group involvement. Others within the group encourage us to become who we can envision ourselves becoming. Most Japanese students, despite years of English study, are unable to see themselves as part of the English speaking “club.” So in the end, what they learn (since learning is continuous) is this: “I’m not an English speaker.” Smith’s book is well written and he displays a depth of knowledge concerning the learning (and forgetting) process and its product.