The Critical Difference: Comparing Educational Systems and Mindsets
Between Canada and Japan
The Critical Difference: Comparing Educational Systems and Mindsets. This piece explores the integration of critical thinking in English lessons, the educational differences between Canada and Japan, and the beneficial outcomes of adopting an overall critical thinking mindset. It also touches upon current social media trends. This is not an article that teaches how to achieve a critical thinking mindset.
Ever wondered if those flashy YouTube ads promising quick English fluency actually work? You have probably seen the social media ads on YouTube or other platforms containing slogans like: The best way to learn English in 2025, Best methods to achieve a 900+ score on TOEIC, How to learn English quickly using this app, and Top 10 methods to … etc.
Some of these posts look enticing, don’t they? Young, beautiful, smiling faces with white teeth, colorful images, and intriguing prospects.
You might even consider clicking the thumbnail to explore what insights they may offer. Perhaps they have some interesting tips to enhance your journey of learning English. Of course, you are aware, both instinctively and intellectually, that these posts probably won’t help you, but that’s fine because free education is still education! Right?
However, I would likely be less inclined to click on these posts than you might be, particularly the ones in the exercise below, even if I were an English language learner. Let’s find out why.
Quick Exercise
Let me ask a few questions to your subconscious when you look at these 4 posts in the screenshot below. Count the number of questions that go through your mind and compare those same questions with mine. Are they the same? Fewer or More in quantity?
These are my thoughts:
1) Best for whom? Each student learns at a different pace and has unique individual needs. Is this aimed at beginner-level students or advanced learners?
2) Who are these individuals? Are they actual teachers, or are they merely social media influencers seeking likes?
3) If I were studying English and I were Japanese, would I use English in the search engine to find these posts? No, I would use Japanese and likely wouldn’t even come across these posts.
4) How many students, if any, have these teachers tested their products or ideas on?
5) Why is the year 2025 significant? Have teaching practices changed so much in recent years?
6) Do you really speak for 2 hours? Isn’t YouTube just a passive learning platform? Who will correct your mistakes? Doesn’t speaking require feedback?
7) Can you learn English “quickly”? In my experience, learning another language is not something you can learn quickly (unless you are Tom Cruise in the movie The Last Samurai – just joking).
8) The suggestion of using only YouTube and no English classes seems a bit absurd, doesn’t it? Since YouTube is primarily a passive medium where you can only practice listening, reading, and shadow speaking, how do you learn English effectively? Isn’t learning a language also about speaking with feedback and writing? Hmm.
9) “… with this method and the right mindset, you can …” There is more than one method, isn’t there?
10) “English is EZ with Connor”. Can you honestly respect someone who says English is easy? Well, it certainly is for a native English speaker.
… the list goes on.
How did you do? Did you have the same questions as I did? Did you have even more questions than I listed? If you found a difference between your mental list and mine, what made it different?
Certainly, you could say that experience shapes my view. However, I have also engaged in the skill known as critical thinking, which can be applied to everything, as you will see.
Let’s explore critical thinking in a bit more detail.
What is Critical Thinking?
Critical thinking involves analyzing information, evaluating evidence, and making reasoned judgments. It requires questioning assumptions, considering multiple perspectives, and drawing logical conclusions. With effort and practice, it can evolve from a skill set into a mindset.
In essence, critical thinking is about asking questions and casting doubt until you feel confident in your judgment. The goal is to scrutinize everything until you reach a well-founded conclusion. The question starting with ‘why’ becomes one of critical thinking’s prevalent tools.
Now that we’ve explored what critical thinking is, let’s see its benefits.
What are the benefits of Critical Thinking?
Critical thinking is a vital skill that enhances problem-solving, decision-making, creativity, communication, and self-reflection. By analyzing and evaluating information, individuals can identify effective solutions and make better judgments. This skill also encourages innovative thinking and helps articulate thoughts clearly and logically. Moreover, critical thinking promotes self-awareness by allowing individuals to recognize and understand their biases and assumptions.
Whether you’re making a major life decision or simply choosing what to read next, critical thinking can guide you to better choices. Additionally, critical thinking and debate skills are closely intertwined.
As an aside, did you know that Dan Lok is a social media influencer that happens to speak Chinese and English? He has been featured in Entrepreneur, Forbes, Money, Business Insider, Tedx, and on major television networks. He is not an English teacher, and yet he is providing advice to learners of English. Hmmm. I didn’t know a student would only need to learn “one trick” to become a confident speaker. Would this be of interest to you?
Is critical thinking needed?
In our daily lives, we often make assumptions: water is wet, snow is cold, and so on. Many of these assumptions are based on facts that we accept without much thought, freeing up our minds for more pressing matters. This comfort of assumptions allows us to focus on bigger questions, like, “What will I eat for lunch?”
Assumptions can also include things that aren’t factual because they help us maintain our comfort zones. For instance, we might not question news reports because they concern factual events. We prefer to believe that our police are attentive and that our children’s teachers care about their students. We want to trust that English teachers will genuinely help us improve rather than exploit us financially.
However, questioning our assumptions requires extra mental effort, which can be exhausting. Constantly questioning leads to hyper-vigilance, draining our energy and potentially causing unnecessary anxiety. People generally prefer the ease of assumptions.
"I question, not to challenge authority but to learn what authority asks of me" - Brett Austin
"The important thing is not to stop questioning. Curiosity has its own reason for existing." - Albert Einstein
This brings us to critical thinking, which challenges us to question our assumptions and step outside our comfort zones. This process can feel overwhelming and demands significant effort, which is why many avoid critical thinking.
In addition, some might view critical thinking as overly skeptical, but questioning information is essential for self-protection, isn’t it?
Initially, critical thinking may appear time-consuming, but with practice, it becomes automatic. Over time, you’ll be able to apply this scrutiny effectively, leading to better decision-making.
So, do you think critical thinking is necessary? Do you practice it?
In Today's World
In today’s world, with AI and social media influencers, it’s crucial to apply critical thinking to protect ourselves.
With the rise of AI, it’s important to consider that what you read, watch, or view may not always be genuine. This article, for instance, is AI-assisted. Did you know that?
Social media influencers are another factor to be cautious about. Their opinions are not always based on facts and are often driven by monetary incentives, which can mislead you. They also contribute to the cancel culture prevalent in today’s society. If you would like further insight into the world of social influencers, please read this article, which outlines the reasons why Godzilla Minus One was so popular (social media influencers played a significant role in that). I also cover this topic in this article: The Path of the Content Creator
So, you might ask yourself, how can I learn to think critically? Where does one acquire this skill set?
You may already possess some of these skills without ever having been formally trained, but it begins with regular schooling, as you will see below.
Critical Thinking in North American Public Schools
Critical thinking is not consistently taught across all North American public schools. While some schools and districts emphasize it, others may not. Generally, critical thinking is integrated into various subjects rather than being taught as a standalone course. For example, students might engage in critical thinking exercises in subjects like English, social studies, and science. However, the extent and quality of critical thinking education can vary widely depending on the school, teacher, and curriculum. in general, it could be said that Canada has a more established framework and consistent approach to integrating these skills into education than in Japan.
Although I was not formally taught critical thinking, I started developing these skills early on. I questioned things, which often annoyed my mother. Despite her intelligence, she would accept news reports without much thought. In contrast, I frequently asked too many ‘why’ questions, which frustrated her. “Brett! It is this way because it is! End of story! Go to bed!”
In high school, an amazing history teacher reinforced critical thinking in me. He would ask a question and then follow up with why we answered as we did. Question after question. He pushed us to think beyond the surface, challenging the textbook narratives and exploring other factors. Most students struggled, but I thrived in this setting. His impact on me was significant.
I recall my social studies teacher assigning us to debate teams. I did well in debates but didn’t enjoy when classmates told me to, “Go to bed!”. It became clear to me that debate skills and critical thinking are connected.
We also learned how to write essays. Our essays included our main points, critiques of those points, and rebuttals all in one. This taught us that there are different ways to approach a subject and write effective point/counterpoint essays. It’s important to remember that many answers can be debatable if properly justified, showing a level of flexibility within the grading system. Recognition is often given to those who exhibit creativity and innovation.
Critical Thinking in Japan
In Japan, cultural and educational barriers, such as a focus on rote memorization and a hierarchical classroom structure, have traditionally hindered the development of critical thinking. Additionally, misconceptions about critical thinking being solely a Western concept may have prevented its integration into Japanese education. However, in recent years, there has been a growing recognition of the importance of critical thinking skills. While the emphasis on rote memorization and standardized testing remains prevalent, some schools and universities have started to incorporate critical thinking into their curricula. This integration is achieved through specific courses or by embedding critical thinking into existing subjects, with approaches varying from general to immersion methods. Despite the slow pace, the shift towards fostering critical thinking in Japanese education is gradually gaining momentum.
My wife taught critical thinking at her university, but those classes were canceled due to budget cuts. She shared some of the topics with me, and a highlight of my marriage has been these deep conversations. Sometimes, the intellectual side of me needs exercise, too!
How I implement Critical Thinking in class
Interactive and engaging teaching methods, such as group discussions and debates, can promote critical thinking. Incorporating real-world scenarios and encouraging questioning can also help students develop these skills. Teachers can create a supportive environment where students feel comfortable expressing their thoughts and ideas. By intentionally fostering a growth mindset, teachers can help students develop critical thinking skills, which often go hand in hand.
I use critical thinking in my classes in various ways. Due to the many differences of my class compositions, I can’t list all my techniques or claim they are standards. Instead, I’ll provide a brief summary of some practices, alongside those my previous teachers used with me, as mentioned earlier.
- Have students list 3-5 pros and cons for each situation.
- Write one word on the whiteboard and ask students to discuss its significance in groups. Encourage them to relate it to current events. For instance, if the word is ‘beach,’ they should consider recent news about jellyfish overpopulation in the local bay.
- Organize formal debates in class where students explain why their opposition’s point is stronger than their own; this adds an interesting layer to the discussion.
- Assign a project that must be worked on in teams. Once the project is done, have the teams debate their issues and have discussions in class. Have students assign grades to their peers and explain why. Etc.
In Conclusion
In conclusion, using critical thinking in education is very important. Looking at Canada and Japan shows key differences in how each country promotes critical thinking. Canada encourages open discussion and questioning, while Japan has a more organized approach. Both ways have value, but the main lesson is clear: developing a critical thinking mindset helps students prepare for a more complex world.
In today’s digital age, where social media and AI shape opinions, critical thinking is crucial. It helps people assess information, make smart decisions, and engage in society effectively. As teachers, we need to focus on building this mindset, getting students ready for both tests and real-life challenges.
By using critical thinking techniques in our classrooms, we can inspire a generation of thinkers who are both smart and wise. The journey to a critical thinking mindset is ongoing, but its advantages are significant and far-reaching.
Thank you for reading. Have a great day wherever you are.
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