Voluntary Citizens' Activities Supporting Japanese Language Acquisition

Abstract

The acquisition of Japanese language by participating foreign residents is surely an integral element of the local Japanese language class supported by voluntary citizens. However, supporting their acquisition of the language cannot be simply equated with teaching it. If we look at other countries' second language education programs for temporary visitors or new residents, we will notice that they pay as much attention to language for conversation as to language for daily life. The ability to converse with other people is essential for anybody who wishes to live a culturally rich life. Second language learners in natural settings very often acquire the kind of ability that is needed for conversation through continuous personal contacts with a limited number of the speakers of the target language. The local Japanese language class can provide foreign residents who visit the class with very suitable conditions for natural acquisition to happen. Although it may call for special attention from both the citizen volunteers who speak Japanese and foreign residents who are acquiring it to manage a conversation within a limited repertoire of Japanese, an environment for natural acquisition is automatically created through regular contacts in the class as far as the participating citizens interact, without a particular intention to teach the language, with participating foreign residents as equal members of the community.