Writing Opinions on the Subject of “Nagoya People”:

An Attempt to Gain Multiple Perspectives and Develop Critical Thinking Through Reading and Dialogue

Abstract

This paper reports on the authors practice in a Japanese language class for exchange students. They expressed a strong interest in the reality of Nagoya and the people living there. The author responded by having the students read an essay on the subject of the people of Nagoya in class, and then encouraged them to talk to these “Nagoya people” themselves to verify the accuracy of the events described in the essay. Furthermore, the students were asked to write down their opinions by comparing “Nagoya people” with the locals of their own home town. The author intended for them to not only receive information about a different country or region, but also to gain multiple perspectives and develop critical thinking through dialogue.