Are Japanese high school students are as unruly and naughty as the students of the Japanese TV drama Gokusen?

Question

I watch Gokusen so my impresion now to Japanese students are unruly and naughty. Do Japanese chose only whom to respect in the school? Or are these for drama only?

Answer 1

I am not sure about Japanese high schools but I can answer about JHS in Japan as I teach Enlish at 4 of them. I have never seen the show so I do not know how disruptive of a class you are talking about. How ever in my experiece teaching with a Japanese teacher it depends on the teacher. Some of my teachers have no discipline in the class room at all. At times only 2 or 3 kids of the 40 are paying attention the others are sleeping or talking.. the teachers chose to ignore this behaviour therfore letting the kids think it is okay. On the other hand I had a class last week where a kid had thrown a pen and was yelled at military style for about 20 minutes in front of the class. It all depends on the teacher and the students involved. I will say this one of the differneces btw Japanese schools and American schools is that if a kid is being disruptive/unruly in class in America the teacher has a right to kick the kid out of class or send him the principals office. Whereas in Japan the philosphy is that every kid has a right to education so even if they are infriginging on the other students right to learn by being disruptive during class. The teacher cannot make the kid leave the classroom. It sounds absurd doesnt it.. but yet it is true...It is one of my biggest frustrations teaching here in Japan. I hope this gave you some perspective on your question. Sorry it is so long. I have no classes today as most of the student body is absent due to a case of flu. Which is another thing I do not get about the Japanese education system out of ~240 kids only 80 are in school today. The administration cancelled all 1st year and 2nd year classes.. the students are currently at home even those uneffected but the 3rd years who only have 4 students sick have to attend school. Why not give everyone a leveled playing field and close the school?

Answer 2

It really depends on where you teach. I taught in an all boys high school and they were JUST like the boys in the drama.
Most of it is just childish stupidity, however I have seen a few bad cases.

Answer 3

NO WAY. Trust me, they are much more better than that. Of course, some are sort of like that, but they made the high schoolers like that to spice up the story. plus if the high schoolers were all nice and sweet the teacher wouldnt be like that. they might act a little more i dunno ''adult'' than american high schoolers.

Answer 4

No