Volunteer-led Japanese Language Classes

In Yokohama, Japan

Jason PackmanSept. 28, 2010

Initial Research Idea

• More so than other languages, knowledge of culture/non-verbal language is important for Japanese communicative competency

• Japanese as a Foreign Language classes, taught outside of Japan, loses this contextual knowledge

• Classes at volunteer run Japanese language programs would reflect this.

Yokohama Association for International Communications and Exchanges (YOKE)

Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan

Kanagawa Prefecture

Yokohama

Yokohama

Research Process

• Visit different classes every day for one month

• Act as observer or participant observer

• Interview Participants

Problems

• Gaining permission

• Miscommunication

ScheduleDay of Week Date ClassThursday 06/17/10Isogo Center ClassTuesday 06/22/10Kohoku Kokusai CenterWednesday 06/23/10YOKEThursday 06/24/10Isogo Center ClassFriday 06/25/10Konan Kokusai Koryo CenterSaturday 06/26/10Kohoku Kokusai CenterSaturday 06/26/10Yamate KyokaiTuesday 06/29/10Kohoku Kokusai CenterWednesday 06/30/10KitayamataThursday 07/01/10Isogo Center ClassFriday 07/02/10Konan Kokusai Koryo CenterSaturday 07/03/10Yamate KyokaiTuesday 07/06/10Naka Ku Kokusai Koryo CenterTuesday 07/06/10Konan Kokusai Koryo CenterWednesday 07/07/10Talk with Hayashi from MonkashoThursday 07/08/10Isogo Center ClassFriday 07/09/10IUC Reading ClassFriday 07/09/10Tokai Ichiba Japanese ClassSaturday 07/10/10Yamate KyokaiTuesday 07/13/10Konandai Nihongo no KaiTuesday 07/13/10Naka ku Night ClassWednesday 07/14/10IUC Speaking ClassWedneday 07/14/10Kitayamata ClassThursday 07/15/10Isogo Center ClassFriday 07/16/10Hearty Friday 07/16/10Interview with Li SunSaturday 07/17/10Yamate KyokaiSunday 07/18/10Tsuzuki 1 2 3Sunday 7/25/2010Susono Overseas Friendship Association

Class Structures

• Small Group/1to1

• Students divided up by level

• Lessons usually grammar focused

Students

• Most students I met were:– Working in a factory– Married to a Japanese national– Spouse was working in Japan– Students

• Generally students needed to use Japanese outside of class– Different from Inter-University of

Japan classes where IUJ students:• Required to speak Japanese but..• Outside less opportunity to speak

Classes

• Grammar• Japanese Language Proficiency Exam practice

– Surprising!• Difficult to identify/see cultural knowledge

being taught/acquired. • However….

– Gives students time to socialize• Range of Japanese used at work limited• Little chance to talk much at home

Culture Class

Use of Japanese in both linguistic and cultural context

(Main?) Textbook Most used TextbookPopular because

In many languages Many lessons/activities available

Not popular Grammar heavy Not a lot of freedom for teacher

Minna no Nihongo

Textbook from Volunteer Classrooms

•More pictures, more situations, less grammar focused

•Order makes more sense

• Lesson 0 – Greetings• Lesson 1 – Food• Lesson 2 – Self Introduction

Future Plans

• Ideas changed from cultural knowledge to useful practical knowledge for long term residents in Japan– Is it actually different from residents or students?– How important is cultural knowledge?

• Plan to conduct a survey of students to see what language they feel they need the most– Did initial discussions with some teachers but need to follow up

from here.• Study differences between immigrant classes in Japan and the

US• Try to build connections between groups in the US and Japan

Questions?