Need for service learning in compulsory foreign language education in a Japanese university setting

摘要

Japanese students experience u22International Understandingu22 classes from the beginning of compulsory education and foreign language education in the upper grades of elementary education continuing through high school. These courses are conducted with the hopes of fostering an international or global mindset among Japanese youth.Unfortunately, not all university students express an interest in such global initiatives. Questionnaires asking students ab out their foreign experiences as well as their desire to participate in university sponsored international programs (such as study abroad programs, intercultural exchange, and community activities) have been administered to first year students at Kanto Gakuin University in the 2014 academic year. The results reflect that many students do not have an interest university sponsored international programs except for campus or community activities in Japan.Though most courses require students to continue foreign language education, students often feel the burden of the language course since they cannot see a direct connection between foreign language study and future career choices. Some students lose interest in foreign language study as well as international activities.This presentation will focus on an on-going study of first year studentsu27 and their interest in participating in university sponsored international programs. The same questionnaire used in 2014 will be administered again to incoming freshmen in April, 2015. We will analyze the two-year data to note changes in attitudes of the students as well as isolate possible programs appropriate for these students.Is it possible that through a shift or addition to university foreign language education that students can recognize such study is not just for academic and career pursuits? Since our data show that students are interested in community activities, through an incorporation of service learning, can students have an opportunity to see the needs within their own community for international understanding? Can they actually serve? This presentation will examine these questions as well as introduce a pilot program incorporating service learning in foreign language classes with the hope of raising interest in international exchange and outreach to the international community in Yokohama.