Abstract
This paper examines the activities of JSL learners at their internships, and discusses an essential Japanese language programme for businesspersons. The authors interviewed the participants (interns), who were businesspersons and were elementary to lower-intermediate JSL learners, on their activities and use of the Japanese language during the internships. Their activities are categorised as follows: ‘business meetings’, ‘research’, ‘technical support and providing information’, ‘correspondence’, ‘networking’, ‘fieldtrips’, and ‘factory/shop trainings’. The analysis reveals that: the participants were often assigned apprentice type tasks i.e. attending ‘business meetings’ regardless of their understanding of the contents, or ‘research’ tasks which allowed the participants to work on their own. ‘Research’ and ‘technical support and providing information’ tasks are meaningful as the participants could expand their knowledge and grow and contribute to the internship companies. E-mail is the initial medium of ‘correspondence’ and is utilised as reliable means for communication. Moreover, it is observed that ‘networking’, even chatting with colleagues, serves to provide a learning opportunity for both interns and Japanese employees. Although conversations are often emphasised at the elementary-level Japanese programme, several elements are found to be essential for pre-internship training: business-related reading activities, web search practice and teaching strategies for utilising online resources.
