Japanese Language Use Outside the Classroom by International Students:

Based on the Cases of Four Exchange Students

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to analyze the use of Japanese language by international students studying in Japan using Social Network Analysis data, and to identify opportunities for and changes in the use of Japanese language outside the classroom. The findings suggest that the use of Japanese language is not limited to interactions with Japanese students, who constitute a significant portion of the student body on campus. Instead, opportunities to use Japanese are facilitated through interactions with other international students. Moreover, the study found that opportunities for Japanese language use outside the campus arose from part-time work experience and attempts to find someone to communicate via the Internet.