Perception of Language Requirements in the University

Education System of Japan and America

Cristian Reyes

Advisors:Dr. Shigeko Sekine

● Dr. Yoshiko Saito-Abbot

Renaissance Schools International, SA, 2014

Outline• Significance of Study

• Research Question

• Research Background

• Research Method

• Research Findings

• Conclusion

• Bibliography

• Acknowledgements

Churston Ferrers Grammar School, 2009

Significance of the Study• During my study abroad in Japan I became

interested in the difference of the University foreign language education system between Japan and America.

• When I spoke to community members and students, they knew simple phrases of other foreign languages primarily English.

• Comparing it to my experience in America many university students have little knowledge of foreign languages.

• For this reasons I want to compare the perceptions of University student from both countries in learning a new foreign language.

Emily’s languages, 2014

Research Question

1. What Perceptions do students of Japan and America have towards learning a foreign language and culture in their respective country?

2. In what ways have university students benefited through their language education system experience for a multicultural society?

Background Research

1. Writing Style:a) Japanese

a) Hiragana, Katakana, Kanji2. Language Difficulty Ranking3. Foreign Language Education:

a) Japan and America

Japan’s Writing Styles●In the Japanese writing style kana and kanji are used.

●Kana is composed of Hiragana and Katakana.

●Hiragana has 46 characters.

●Katakana is used when writing foreign words.

●e.g. コーヒー (coffee), ビジネス (business)

●Kanji are derived from Chinese characters. Hiragana にほん

Katakana ニッポン

Kanji 日本

Jōyō kanji 2136 characters

Tōyō kanji 1850 characters

English 26 Alphabet

Language Difficulty RankingCategory 1:23-24 Weeks(575-600 hours)

Category2:30 Weeks(750hours)

Category3:36 weeks(900 hours)

Category4:44 weeks(1100 hours)

Category5:88 weeks(2200 hours)

AfrikaansDanishFrenchItalianPortugueseSpanishAnd 4 others

German IndonesianMalaysianSwahili

AlbanianBulgarianCroatianGreekHebrewHindiHungarian*and 35 others

ArabicCantoneseMandarinJapanese*Korean

Foreign Service Institute (FSI), n.d.

• Languages in category 1 are easier for English speakers.• Languages preceded by asterisks are usually more difficult for

native English speakers to learn than other languages in the same category.

Foreign Language Education: Japan

● High school graduation requirements:●80 credits required: 18 credits for English courses

●University graduation requirement: ●124 credits required: 8 credits for foreign languages.●Most courses are worth 2 credits

●English and its role in education:●Translation and entrance examination (Stuart, 1986)

Foreign Language Education: America

●No Child Left Behind Act states study of foreign language as a core subject.

(U.S. Department of Education, 2009)

In the State of California the following apply:●High school: On Average 1 year of either visual and

performing arts, foreign language. (Ca. Department of Education, 2014)

●University of California: 2 years, 3 recommended●California State University: 2 years

Foreign Language Education standards: America

COMMUNICATION CULTURE CONNECTIONS COMPARISONS COMMUNITIES

In order to learn the second language communication is important.

will focus on understanding the cultural background of knowledge and language.

It is important to understand the connection of the learning of other field studies. For example, upon learning Japanese, you must memorize and use a flash card, to learn a variety of words and expressions.

it is important that students look at different perspectives of the world.

will focus on interacting with people around them in an appropriate manner.

ACTFL, n.d.

Research Method

• Study Participants

• 69 University Students

• 31 American Students (21 Male; 17 Female)

• 38 Japanese Students (12 Male; 19 Female)

• Research Instrument

• Online Survey

• Google forms (English – Japanese)

Demographics

Who is a World Language and Culture major?

Japanese Students: 31 Responses

13%

87%

American Students

WLC Ma-jorsNon-WLC majors

48%52%

Japanese Students

WLC ma-jorsNon-WLC majors

13 % of Americans and 48% of Japanese are WLC majors

Foreign Language Courses Taken Prior to University

American students tend to take anywhere between half a year to 4 years of language before they enter Universities.

Because of the compulsory education in Japan students take on average of 5-6 years of language education, primarily in English.

Half a year

1-2 years

2-3 years

3-4 years

4-5 years

5-6 years

05

1015202530

AmericanJapanese

Years of Language Taken at University

American students tend to take no more than 2 years of language course while they study at the university level.

Japanese students tend to take on average of 2 to 3 years of language courses while they study at a university.

Half - 1year

1-2 years

2-3 years

3-4 years

0

4

8

12

AmericanJapanese

The Number of Bilingual Students

Student generally feel that being bilingual means: to speak to others from different countries, have better job opportunities, receive a deeper

cultural understanding and understand international relations.

Bilingual Monolingual Want to be0

5

10

15

20

25

American Japanese

Research Question 1

What Perceptions do students of Japan and America have towards learning a foreign language and

culture in their respective country?

Research Findings 1:

84%

13%

3%

American Students

Yes NoI don't know

100%

Japanese Students

Yes

No

I don't know

Both American and Japanese students are aware that their universities have language requirements.

Are students informed of their universities language requirements?

Number of semesters for Language Requirement

11%

11%

47%

13%

16%

3%

American Students

1 Semester2 semesters3 Semesters4 semestersI don't knowOther

6%

23%

42%

13%

16%

Japanese Students

1 Semester2 semesters3 Semesters4 semestersI don't knowOther

American students need an average of 3 semesters.Japanese students need an average of 4 semesters.

Do university students agree with the Foreign Language Requirements?

Strongly Agree

Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly Disagree

0

5

10

15

20

AmericanJapanese

From the students surveyed Japanese students agreed the most with their university foreign language requirements.

Reasons for studying Foreign Languages

Both American and Japanese students showed about the same level of interest for studying foreign languages.

American students Japanese students

29

26

30

24

28

4

6

3

8

5

1

Agree Neutral Disagree

Travel

Study Abroad

Different culture perspectives

Enhance skills

Meet new people

32

27

31

26

28

3

3

2

1

2

1

Reasons for not taking foreign language courses

AmericanJapanese

Both American and Japanese students surveyed believe that foreign language courses are hard.

9

4

27

13

11

11

6

5

10

11

13

23

1

10

11

Agree Neutral Disagree

Undecided

I want don't to learn

It is hard

Time consuming

No time

8

2

27

20

9

7

7

4

7

15

16

22

4

7

Summary of the Research Findings 1

●American Students and Japanese students both agree that Language requirements are important.

●The top 3 reasons for studying Foreign Languages are:

●Travel, Cultural perspectives and meeting new people.

●The most common reasons for students not continuing to study foreign languages are:

●They are difficult, Students don’t have time, Learning a languages takes up too much time.

Research Findings:

Research Question 2

In what ways have university students benefited through their language education system experience for a multicultural society?

Top 4 experiences related to Foreign Language learning

America

(90% ) reaching better career opportunities.

(72%) Traveling has become more enjoyable.

(72%) A foreign language has helped me in my university studies.

(72%) broadened my knowledge of a foreign culture, but has given me a new insight into my own culture.

Japan

(93%) Traveling becomes more enjoyable.

(87%) broadened my knowledge of a foreign culture, but has given me a new insight into my own culture.

(84%) I can learn to adapt unfamiliar areas and people.

(84%) Cultural classes have given me a clear understanding of different cultural perspectives

From the results American university students place a higher value in their opportunities in getting a better job. While Japanese students focus more

towards having an enjoyable traveling experience.

Lowest 3 experiences related to Foreign Language learning

American Japanese

47% “ I am satisfied with the knowledge that I have of a foreign language.”

13%“ I am satisfied with the knowledge that I have of a foreign language.”

52% “ My foreign language professor have made a big impact in the development of my learning

35% “ I am comfortable in sharing my knowledge of a foreign language to others that might not know about it.”

57% “ I am comfortable in sharing my knowledge of a foreign language to others that might not know about it.”

42% “ I can speak confidently in social gatherings that ask me to speak in a foreign language.”

Summary of the Research Findings 2

●Americans students’ main reason for studying a foreign language is to obtain a better job.

●Japanese students main reason for studying a foreign language is to enjoy travel.

●About half of the American students want more of an influence from professors in their foreign language studies.

●Also, students want to be able to show their knowledge of a Foreign Language to those whom might not know.

●Students want to fully use and understand a Foreign Language

Conclusion

• Majority of students agree with the importance of language requirements because they strive to travel abroad, become more cultural aware of others, and meet new people.

• Some American students were not aware of their university language requirements.

• Both American and Japanese students want to effectively use their knowledge of their foreign language, but feel that Foreign Languages are difficult and takes too much time.

• Yet, American students feel strongly that a foreign language will help them obtain better career opportunities.

• While, Japanese students want to learn foreign languages in order to enjoy traveling.

BibliographyApproaching Multilingual in Japan and the United States. Retrieved from http//l.usa.gov/lb63awl.com

Collier, V.P., & Thomas, W.P. (2013) Education English Learners For A Transformed World, Inquiry system LTD; http://1.usa.gov/1MvFhJL

Clankie, Shawn M. (2000). Approaching Multilingualism in Japan and the United States. Retrieved from http://1.usa.gov/1b63aw1

General citation: Cortazzi, H. (1993). Modern Japan : A Concise Survey. New York: St. Martin’s Press.

Effective Language Learning. (n.d) Retrieved May 12, 2015. From http://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2011/01/26/18jackson_ep.h30.html

H. Byrnes (2003)The Modern Language Journal. The Issue: Implications of Language Education

Policies for Language Study in Schools and Universities. Retrieved from http://www.effectivelanguagelearning.com/language-guide/language-difficulty

M, Jason. & (March 2013) Current Issues in Education. Investigating the Student Experiences of Mexican American PK 12 Educators to Cultivate Authentic Latino Recruitment Strategies: http://bit.ly/1NQcRh0

Reischauer, E., & Reischauer, E. (1988). The Japanese today: Change and continuity.Cambridge, Mass.: Belknap Press.

Reed, Helen R. (March 1997). American Teachers Working with Japanese Teachers of English in Japanese Schools. An American View of Educational Contradictions. Retrieved from http://1.usa.gov/1MvFhJL

Media Resources●Globes- http://parents.churston.torbay.sch.uk/subjects/languages/

●Foreign Flag Tree- http://rschooloc.org/advantage.html

●Why learn a new language- https://www.pinterest.com/pin/321374123381215472/

●Foreign Language Standards- http://www.actfl.org/node/192#standards

Acknowledgements

Dr. Shigeko Sekine

Dr. Yoshiko Saito-Abbot

Parent

Friends

Clubs: Nu Alpha Kappa Fraternity Inc.

Questions or Comments?