Lessons from Canada for Japan's Growing Language Education Needs

Japan's Growing Need for Language Education for Children with Foreign Roots

Japan is facing a growing need to provide language education for children with foreign roots who are arriving in its schools. This demand is expected to increase as the country aims to attract 820,000 new foreign workers over the next five years.

To understand how Japan can effectively teach the local language to newcomer children, The Mainichi interviewed Tomoko Tokita, a linguist at Tokyo's Jissen Women's University and an expert in English language education in Canada.

Empowering Learners and Building Confidence

Tokita emphasizes the importance of empowering learners to build their confidence as a crucial step in language acquisition. She cites an example of Vietnamese students in Japan who may not feel confident in their Vietnamese identity due to a lack of understanding and respect from their Japanese peers.

In Canada, schools often practice empowerment by introducing students to the culture, language, and traditions of their immigrant classmates. This helps foster a sense of belonging and acceptance, boosting the self-esteem and confidence of newcomer children.

Integrating Newcomers and Building a Supportive Environment

Canadian schools have implemented various strategies to integrate newcomers who may not speak English. These include providing guidelines for teachers on how to interact with non-English speaking students, offering training courses for teachers on how to interact with immigrant children, and encouraging teachers to obtain ESL qualifications.

The Importance of Bilingualism

Tokita expresses concern about the lack of value placed on the mother tongues of immigrant students in Japan. She highlights the importance of bilingualism for academic and cognitive success.

She explains that while immigrant students may become fluent in Japanese for everyday conversation, they may struggle with understanding academic content. Building a foundation in their native language allows them to transfer these concepts to Japanese, leading to fluency in both languages.

Learning from Canada's Approach

Canada offers numerous opportunities for students to study in their heritage languages. These classes have been transformed into international language programs, allowing all students to learn a third language alongside immigrant children. This approach fosters acceptance and self-confidence among immigrant students while recognizing the value of their linguistic resources.

By adopting similar strategies, Japan can effectively address the growing need for language education for children with foreign roots, ensuring their successful integration and academic achievement.