The Center for Language Education at Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University in Japan has introduced innovative models for bilingual course exchanges, culminating in the establishment of the Japanese-English Communication Skills (JECS) course in the Fall of 2020. Alongside other curricular efforts at APU to promote multiculturalism, the JECS course was created in part to foster greater interaction across the gap separating domestic and international students. This study is the first to offer data and analysis on the JECS course. The authors, who were instructors of the course in its third iteration, used a qualitative approach to analyze student reflections. They present nine themes of student experiences that provide insights into unique classroom interactions, such as those between students of different language proficiency levels and cultural backgrounds, occurring in a multilingual space. Based on findings from student reflections, the JECS course created a unique multilingual and multicultural classroom environment that fostered meaningful interaction and collaboration among students of different backgrounds and proficiency levels. It also allowed for the development of critical thinking, language skills, self-directed learning, and intercultural understanding. This study hopes to contribute to the discourse and qualitative data on exchange courses among educators and policymakers working at universities in Japan.

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Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University (APU) uniquely hosts nearly equal proportions of Japanese and international students, giving the opportunity for shared language classes (i.e., English-Japanese exchange classes). This research paper provides an analysis of survey results conducted during the Spring 2023 semester, investigating the perceptions of students and educators regarding exchange classes at APU. Using a mixed-method approach, the survey examined enjoyment, significance, ideal frequency, and scheduling methods, in addition to gauging satisfaction and pinpointing areas of discontent. The dataset includes feedback from 30 language educators from both the English and Japanese sections of the Center for Language Education at APU, as well as from 195 language students, with roughly equal numbers from both English-based and Japanese-based sections. Based on the analysis, students displayed greater enthusiasm for language exchange classes compared to teachers. This paper offers insights that the Center for Language Education, which encompasses both English and Japanese language courses, can use to enhance its language exchange class offerings.

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[in Japanese]

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[in Japanese]

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