The purpose of this study is to enable student teachers and inexperienced Japanese language teachers to improve their language adjustment in the classroom. To achieve this goal, I developed Teacher Talk Trainer (T3), which enables student teachers to practice language adjustment according to a given textbook and learners' language ability. The results show that training with T3 increases student teachers' self-awareness of language adjustment in classroom. In addition, qualitative analysis of the system itself and the student's awareness alteration was conducted with student's free descriptions. Here, I show primarily the results derived from the analysis of free description.

View full abstract

The purpose of this study is to find solutions to issues, of which three were encountered, with teaching Japanese to a blind student. The first is difficulty with visual information such as pictures. The second is the difficulty with discriminating and understanding words. The third is the difficulty with understanding the entire picture regarding information about tasks or questions. As for solutions, we used oral descriptions and realia for the first difficulty, we made example sentences for the second, and for the third, we described beforehand, how and in what order tasks were to be carried out.

View full abstract

In this study, we utilized the Learning Through Discussion (LTD) method in a reading lesson of Japanese language education to investigate whether it is effective in increasing learning activity. It is one technique of the cooperative learning. Through peer discussion, it was intended to deepen the understanding of learning and teaching materials for each participant. In the result of applying the LTD targeting intermediate learners, it was possible to generate full discussion with each learner deepening his or her ideas for the topic. We observed clearly that LTD has been applied effectively in the active exchange of learner opinion.

View full abstract

Text modification is essential to adjust the lexical level of texts for various purposes. This study describes how an online lexical analyzer of Japanese texts named J-LEX was developed. After putting a target Japanese text in the input window, J-LEX returns the lexical frequency profile (a table for the proportion of text coverage by vocabulary frequency level) and the analysis result window where words beyond the designated frequency level are highlighted in red. J-LEX is expected to facilitate and simplify the analysis of the lexical level and the lexical adjustment of texts.

View full abstract

In this study we examine how the difference of the way of construing the world affects on the description of picture cards for Japanese learners. The study shows that Japanese natives and English natives show different tendencies in describing in regard of which participant of events they focus on. Given that result, we insist that by taking those tendency into account we can improve the current picture cards more effective ones with which teachers can extract the target sentences more easily.

View full abstract

This research conducted interviews with six Chinese university students who participated in a speech contest and examines how their perceptions concerning the feedback system in the competition in question. The results found that participant agreed that "they needed chances to demonstrate their ability to make a Japanese speech," and that this need was met. Based on its findings, this research suggests the introduction of "skill-based comment sheet" for the purpose of letting not only students but also their teachers draw their attention to reflections.

View full abstract

After the Great East Japan Earthquake, a need of disaster prevention education is growing. This article reports method and result of a practice "Let's think about disaster prevention" as a part of Japanese culture class. In the class, students had researched various disaster prevention measures of the town they live in and they finally carried out presentation about the measures from the viewpoint of themselves. In the presentations, awakening of autonomy of the students regarding disaster prevention and consideration to others as a member of the society were recognized.

View full abstract

Compared with paper-based materials, learning materials for smartphones have a greater number of potential functions, so it is necessary to design for them accordingly. Teachers unfamiliar with smartphones might have difficulty envisaging how learners can use these tools, and may unwittingly prevent learners using smartphones in the classroom. When developing new materials, we should adopt a process of observation in the classroom to achieve best results. In this presentation I use the example of "KAIGO NO KOTOBA SAACHI (Word Search for Caregiving)" to consider the importance of such observation.

View full abstract

This is a report on the results of the survey regarding reading strategies in 2012.The purpose of the survey was to know what kind of reading materials are suitable for lower intermediate learners of Japanese. Most of the respondees mentioned that vocabulary was the most important factor to allow an understanding of the texts. They expected reading materials to be full of new vocabulary and expressions, and to be interesting and easy to read. The results show that the lower intermediate learners feel that they do not have enough vocabulary items, and they are eager to increase them through reading.

View full abstract

This paper is a follow-up of the study by SHINOZAKI(2013) that treated the Development of E-learning Contents for Japanese Teacher Training and Analysis of Learners' Course Evaluations by Employing Moodle. It will report on the addition of study contents and the improvement of the lesson method. Specifically, three points are discussed: (1) The contents of lecture data (PDF) were reexamined and the contents were further enriched if needed. (2) In the middle of the course the "question box" was prepared, and feedback was given by the next lesson. Subsequently study-related queries were solved. (3) The site and animation relevant to the lesson were changed if needed.

View full abstract

At the IOC general meeting in September 2013 it was decided that the 2020 Olympic Games will be held in Tokyo. I have stated that the 2020 Olympic Games was decided to be held in Tokyo and how the Japanese language education will be changed in this article, by looking back toward the world sporting events and the Japan World Exposition carried out in the past. In addition, I stated the contributions and the problems of the Japanese Language Education as stated in particular in the fields( the distant learning education, the Japanese tourist language and the language exercises) that seem to have become the key to Japanese Language Education in the Tokyo Olympic Games.

View full abstract

A series of classroom activities was implemented to prompt students to think independently and to learn cooperatively with their peers while learning advanced Japanese grammar and reviewing other previously taught grammar points. After taking dictation of a passage including the target advanced grammar, the students were required to guess its meaning and usage. Afterwards, a sentence reconstruction activity was used to reinforce this grammar and to review introductory and intermediate Japanese as well. Peer correction was used as a means to increase awareness of correct form. Other drills were also incorporated which required the students to determine answers in groups.

View full abstract

Learners in an upper intermediate level Japanese language class were assigned collaborative work where they focused on keywords in texts and interpreted the feelings and intentions of characters. Newspaper column article was used as teaching materials. Learners began by individually selecting keywords that they felt left an impression. They then had a group discussion to talk about the reasons for their selections and their thoughts on the characters' feelings and intentions implied by these keywords. Analysis of the resultant learner dialogues demonstrated that learners selected diverse sets of keywords and interpreted the characters' feelings and intentions in various ways. In addition, collaborative sharing of thoughts with other learners in these discussion sessions helped students deepen their understanding of the feelings and intentions of the various characters in the texts.

View full abstract

"The bible of group work (TORANOMAKI)" is a booklet consisting of voices of learners who have experienced the collaborative learning in intermediate level JSL classes. We have applied collaborative learning to grammar classes by designing tasks to evoke dialog in group to share the thinking process to deepen the learners understanding of the target language. The analysis of a questionnaire and an interview done at the end of the course revealed how positively they contributed to develop collaborative skills. We edited the fruits of our work into a booklet to hand down to new students. It has become an effective tool for both teachers and learners to share the collaborative learning skills beyond the terms.

View full abstract

It is often said that for Japanese learners to acquire Japanese accent, they can only memorize each word individually. However, it is unlikely that Japanese native speakers do so. Thus, this study clarifies a tendency in the accent pattern and its rules using a word-list from the former JLPT. The results from the analysis are as follows: 1) Most two-mora + two-mora Chinese origin words belong to flat. 2) Most two-mora + one-mora and one-mora + two-mora Chinese origin words belong to flat or HLL. Based on the results, it is assumed that teaching these accentuation rules explicitly is effective.

View full abstract

This study investigated the awareness and the actual conditions of corrective feedback in the JSL classroom based on the data from classroom observations and attitude surveys of teachers in the Kyrgyz Republic. The Classroom observation data showed that "Explicit Correction" was most-used feedback. Teachers mentioned, with the feedback, that they could clearly point out a learner's error and make learners realize their error. Questionnaire attitude survey revealed that "Elicitation" was preferred by the teachers; that teachers could give learners another chance to output and it is easy to point out errors. As a result of investigations, it could state that teachers eave corrective feedback with consideration for learner's feelings.

View full abstract

This study examined the uptake by Japanese college students of two different types of feedback on their essays. All essays were evaluated and the score was given. One group was given only comments on the linguistic forms in their essays, and another group was given only comments on content problems. Based on such comments, students wrote out what they noticed from those comments as an indication of their uptake, and the two groups of student responses were statistically examined. The result shows that the comments on linguistic forms were properly understood, while the comments on content problems were rather misunderstood.

View full abstract

This paper reports the practices of training linguistic and intellectual abilities in the Japanese listening and oral expression class. Debating is known as an effective method to acquire academic skills in logical thinking, public speaking and research in Japanese. Debating, however, is a contest, and is not a truly interactive dialogue, it cannot, on its own, sufficiently foster good communication skills. Therefore, I have tried to move 'beyond debate' by adding assertiveness and consensus-building strategies to the skills obtained through debate and tying it into classroom speech and discussion.

View full abstract

This study examines the role of language components in communication by examining the characteristics of radio, a purely phonetic form of communication media devoid of written characters or visuals. The study centers on a student radio program design activity. The students became radio personalities and designed radio programs while reflecting on their experiences through speech monitoring and peer response activities. Students became aware of various effective methods for conveying the content and intentions of their speech to the listener. The radio heralds a wide range of possibilities for applying "transmission based speaking styles" as activity material for developing effective communication skills.

View full abstract

This study, held over a 1 year NIE class for foreign students at a vocational college, clarified the consciousness of the learners through textual questionnaire and private interviews. The result was that the abilities they were able to acquire included pronunciation, comprehension and presentation skills. Also, useful content in the lessons included newspaper making. From the above, the learners involved in this study were interested in 'the ability to speak'; not being passive, but producing Japanese for themselves; cooperating with each other to make something together. So I think the effect of collaborative learning in the process of NIE's newspaper making can be accepted.

View full abstract

This is a Practice Study of ability grouping in a Japanese listening class. Based upon the ability grouping teaching method, this study explores the effects of the changing listening scores for 109 university students majoring in Japanese. The students are divided into three types of classes (junior, intermediate, senior) according to their listening test scores. This ability grouping teaching method has been applied to all classes for three times. It shows significant differences between junior students and intermediate / senior students with the scores changing after the second class grouping and differences among the junior and senior classes after the third class grouping.

View full abstract

Both Korobu and Tsumazuku express a similar situation of "being blocked by an obstacle" on a basic meaning. Metaphorically, however, they have a constraint on the realization of the meaning. We consider that both Korobu and Tsumazuku focus on the impediments of motion and vectors by the conceptual metaphor, ≪ACTIVITIES ARE MOVING OBJECT≫. Yet, since Korobu includes the concept of Taoreru and Tsumazuku does not, Korobu means direction is changed as a result of an obstacle, whereas Tsumazuku means progress is stopped or reduced. Consequently, we suggest that conceptual metaphors are effective for learning the various nuances of vocabulary meanings.

View full abstract

This reports on a "five-sentence speech" activity conducted over three months from beginner level; it describes observations and future challenges. An analysis of achievement levels after the activities that learners were capable of simple presentations regarding personal themes; they were able to speak succinctly using conjunctions and demonstratives. It was learned that many learners positively evaluated this exercise to be good to learn oral expression. Moreover, increased awareness was demonstrated for four points: (1) concise communication; (2) cohesiveness of each sentence, and overall composition of the speech; (3) proper use of conjunctions and demonstratives; and (4) consideration of listeners.

View full abstract

In this study, we proposed a system for translating Japanese compound nouns in simple Japanese. Compound nouns are known to make sentence comprehension difficult for non-native speakers. This system first extracts compound nouns that are composed of two nouns and the first noun is a Sa-hen noun by using a morphological analyzer. If the first noun is in the first grade of the previous Japanese-language proficiency test, it is translated with its definition in a web dictionary, Wiktionary. We developed a method to select a suitable tense of the definition depending on the second noun of the compound noun. The system works on web browsers and can be used via the Internet at no charge.

View full abstract

Teaching pronunciation has been advocated in comprehensive Japanese classes. We have developed materials for teaching pronunciation daily. This material promotes students' awareness of pronunciation. Herein, we report the two teachers' use of the material in a beginners' class during one semester and the questionnaire results demonstrating students' awareness. Our report describes the teaching method and process of building awareness. It also reveals that students' awareness does not always reflect the teacher's intention.

View full abstract

In this paper, I analyze how Japanese textbooks for prospective foreign caregivers teach the euphemistic polite expressions which caregivers should use with their patients. In order to obtain a license as a caregiver in Japan, foreigners must pass an exam demonstrating proficiency in the Japanese language. Because foreign caregivers may experience cultural confusion in addressing their patients because of many euphemistic Japanese expressions, textbooks explain the importance of polite ways to express euphemistic issues. Textbooks don't distinguish between ways to speak about technical terms and general ones, this paper focuses on how textbooks teach the euphemistic expression of general terms.

View full abstract

This study outlines a short course designed for intermediate level students from Chinese background to restudy kanji readings. As found in our previous research, understanding both default sounds of individual kanji and sound alternation rules is necessary to read kanji compounds correctly (Eg. 失敗 shitsu+hai->shippai). This course features activities such as table completion tasks by using cards, which aim to create awareness in students of the following points: the inefficiency to memorize readings of individual kanji words singularly; the existence of the default sounds and sound alternation rules; and what those specific rules are.

View full abstract

This paper reports on a distance-learning course for Japanese language beginners in a high school in Korea. Building on the social networking approach (Tohsaku 2013), the course enables Japanese language learners to converse face-to-face in Japanese with native speakers who are interested in intercultural communication. It also, fosters similar exchanges outside the classroom. Using questionnaires, this study reveals the importance of increasing opportunities for learners to use Japanese and establish "ties" with native speakers.

View full abstract

When teaching Japanese kanji characters to Chinese speakers, most teach reading or use of words, rarely focusing on character form. Many report the necessity of highlighting the difference between Chinese and Japanese characters, but provide no concrete instructional suggestions. The ability of Chinese speaking students, who had at least completed the elementary course, to write characters which differ in Japanese and Chinese was investigated to create material for instruction. The results revealed the problems of native language interference, and that memory of the form was affected by knowledge of vocabulary, indicating characters should be taught together with graded language instruction.

View full abstract

The purpose of the study aims to discover a method to strengthen the association between the sound and meaning of Kanji vocabulary for Chinese-speaking learners. In China, teachers of Japanese have first shown students the Chinese characters of Japanese words and afterwards they introduce the Japanese sounds and meanings. However, the result of my research showed that it is more effective to show the Chinese characters of Japanese words after Chinese students have learned their sounds and meanings. This method may also help students improve their listening skill.

View full abstract

This research reports on job interview training for foreign university students, which was conducted in joint sessions of the employment support class and the business Japanese class. Two teachers, with different professional perspectives, instructed the sessions in collaboration. In each session, preparation and mock interviews were performed, followed by student self-evaluation, and peer and instructor feedback. Results demonstrate that providing information, instilling appropriate cultural norms and increasing language abilities is necessary support enabling students to deal with job interviews. It is also observed that the self-critique and feedback from peers and teachers stimulated awareness of strengths and areas for improvement.

View full abstract

We analyzed learners' feedback from a one-week trial of a newly-developed vocabulary learning application. This application, designed to help teach Japanese academic words for understanding university lectures, consists of exercises, where the learner answers target words after reading definitions. Results from a questionnaire survey showed that learners found the selection of target words and use of exercises to be good practice and an efficient use of time. On the other hand, they requested audio representation of the words. This will be considered for future improvements in order to develop a more autonomous and efficient learning environment.

View full abstract

The first step to utilize a learning website is to inform users about the website. And, in that sense, public relations play an important role in developing a website. However, this issue has not previously been discussed in the field of Japanese language education. This paper describes what kind of publicity activities for the learning website "KAIGO NO KANJI SUPPORTER" have been carried out and how they have functioned.

View full abstract

This study analyses oral book-reports made by learners of Japanese who reside in Japan and study in an undergraduate level preparatory course. The purpose of this study is to unveil the factors which make their oral book-reports awkward or difficult to understand. Through detailed analysis of the learners' discourse of their oral book-reports, it was revealed that there are 6 factors; these include both ones which are related to the learners' choice of essay theme and text comprehension, and ones which are related to their speech production.

View full abstract

Authentic materials such as dramas or movies are widely used in language classes. They are useful to enhance learners' oral communication ability as they present the whole language use in the situation. The whole language use naturally includes various elements and some of them have rarely been regarded as the teaching targets. One example of them is the "role-language". Though they are more commonly found in written Japanese than in oral resources, it is important for the learners to notice their existence in the spoken language. Several video-clips to provide examples used in the conversations are now available on the web.

View full abstract

It's an important standard to measure learner's Japanese level by using compound verbs. Comparative study on learning of Japanese compound verbs classification based on statistical analysis was carried out in this paper, taking the Grade 3 students of Japanese Department in Harbin University of Science and Technology as the object. The research showed that grammatical compound verbs are easier for students to grasp than lexical compound verbs. At the end of this paper, some opinions and suggestions for Japanese teaching were summarized according to the research, which were hoped to be reference of Japanese teaching in the future.

View full abstract

This study examines how foreign residents of Japan learn Japanese language and how their study is connected with their social participation. This study focuses on the cases of three employees who are thought to be successful in acquiring Japanese language and participating in Japanese society. They have improved their Japanese language in a natural setting through autonomous learning in their daily lives. The study outlines that their social participation is not limited to formal language study.

View full abstract

This study is a practice report of pronunciation education. There were few opportunities to take the class and the learner knew that their pronunciation could not be improved while having weak awareness of the correct pronunciation. I demonstrated the correct pronunciation each time. After the learner heard a sound, I clarified how they perceived it in their mind. After the classes ended, I asked the thoughts and opinions of the learner about the pronunciation education. As a result, it was shown that the learner thought pronunciation education was beneficial.

View full abstract

The purpose of this study is to gauge the position of Japanese literature as a learning material in JFL (Japanese as a Foreign Language) and to consider its possible usage. Three standards for foreign language learning (JF Standards, CEFR, National Standards) were analyzed with a focus on 'literature' as the keyword, and the respective learning goals were compared to investigate the meaning of Japanese literature in JFL. The results showed that 1) standards for the use of 'literature' exist, 2) explicit learning goals are indicated, and 3) 'literature' is useful to acquire certain language skills. However, distinct teaching methods are not provided.

View full abstract

Mandarin Chinese-speaking intermediate and advanced learners of Japanese make perceptual errors because of Japanese accent patterns and syllable structures. Participants in this study were examined on their perception of three morae nonsense words consisting of short vowels only. The results showed that for even proficient learners, it was easy to err in evaluating the vowel length in the following situations: 1) short vowels with a high pitch accent in the word initial and medial positions, especially with the accent kernel on it, and 2) short vowels preceding a moral nasal. Teachers need to indicate and emphasize on these vowel environments to improve vowel perception of the learners.

View full abstract

The information about Japan and Japanese people contained in the textbooks has a great influence on Japanese language students' view of Japan. By this point of view, this study has analyzed the influence of the textbooks used in the Japanese language education in the former Manchuria during the Japanese imperialist education. The possibility that the textbooks influenced the students' view of Japan were examined. This study also demonstrates the contents of the Japanese language education during that time, which was not thoroughly imperialistic.

View full abstract

Having command of the Japanese pragmatic particle ne is crucial in creating and maintaining smooth conversations. This is particularly true for learners of Japanese as a second language, and recent research has highlighted the importance of the classroom and natural settings in their acquisition of this linguistic resource. However, how learners vary their usage of ne between these environments is still unclear. This research examines the way learners employ ne in such contexts and connects these findings with textbook explanations of ne functions.

View full abstract

Nowadays in the field of the education people say that "internationalization" is necessary, which is related to the introduction of English education. Can we internationalize the students by using a lot of English language? What is the roll of Japanese education to open the students' mind for understanding outside of Japan? What do the students from abroad get to know in this situation. In this report I would like to analyze the internationalization through the course of "the education of the international understanding" in the elementary school based on the collaboration between the students of the elementary school and the university and the cooperation between Board of Education and the university.

View full abstract

This paper reports on an empirical study implemented using the "Whole Sentence Dictation" in the listening class consisting of the students that Japanese language proficiency levels are various. This method was carried out in the following procedures: 1) the teacher explained vocabulary used in a video, 2) students watched the video and grasped overall contents, and 3) they dictated the whole narration by using computer. As a result, students were able to push their work forward according to their levels. Furthermore, the effect that the teacher did not expect was shown.

View full abstract

The author designed a Japanese language course for foreign university freshmen. One purpose of the course is to facilitate the smooth exchange of different points of views among classmates. The other purpose is to express one's views logically based on newspapers, thesis, or government documents. This paper discusses what learners found and what changed their perspectives based on an analysis of their reflection on free descriptions. Further, the author considers what kind of teacher's intervention made them to exchange their views.

View full abstract

In the field of ESL or the speech training, it is important to know the significance of audience awareness as well as the significance of how to make your ideas understood. However, it is often the case that beginners tend to focus speech contents without awareness of their audience. In this paper, we introduce a new style of speech delivery called "Biblio-Battle" in which speakers make a recommendation speech for their favorite books. We examined characteristics of this unique speech delivery and showed that "Biblio-Battle" encourages the speakers to be aware of their audience.

View full abstract

The teaching of academic Japanese is regarded as the learning support through Japanese language study. An approach to teaching was undertaken, whereby, Japanese as a practice of language was integrated with content or knowledge. This approach is based on a course design called the "integrated approach" by Oshima and others (2009). This "integrated" process design helps to combine multiple units into a single course. Its lesson layout and settings with its challenges have distinctive features. This approach to teaching is named the "add-on type". This research proposes a new lesson design, demonstrating a lesson which aims to develop student presentation skills using Power Point.

View full abstract