When you are raising a child overseas, you will find yourself wondering more and more about how to raise your child’s Japanese language skills. Children use English and local languages at kindergarten and school, and only come into contact with Japanese at home. Before you know it, it’s not uncommon for people to respond in English even when you speak to them in Japanese. What should I be conscious of at home in an environment where my time with Japanese is limited? I will organize my thoughts and daily efforts.
1. Japanese for children growing up overseas
Children living in Japan spend most of their lives in Japanese. On the other hand, for children growing up overseas, Japanese is a language they only use for a small portion of their day. Differences in vocabulary and progress in reading and writing even at the same age are due to differences in exposure time rather than ability. After that, it is important that“How much do you touch?”and“Is there a reason to use it?”There are two. Even if you spend a lot of time listening, if you don’t have a situation to use it, it will be difficult to develop your speaking ability.On the other hand, if you have someone to communicate with, you can improve your speaking skills even in a short amount of time.
2. Often seen while developing Japanese language skills
・Even if I speak to them in Japanese, they always reply in English.
・I can have a conversation, but the topic tends to be about familiar things like eating and playing.
・“You know, yesterday, about that,” I can’t continue the conversation and stop.
・Shows no interest in hiragana or dislikes writing it
・Only one person in my family speaks Japanese, so conversations at home naturally turn to English.
All of these things happen naturally in an environment where exposure to Japanese is limited. It’s not a sign that things aren’t going well, but it’s something that appears because you’re growing up in that environment.
We receive many similar inquiries.
Please send us any questions you may have.
3. How do you create a “community partner” in the children’s club’s 5-year-old course (K1)?
The question “Is there a reason to use it?” mentioned earlier is difficult to make at home alone. This is where the Children’s Club primarily plays a role in the classroom. In the 5 year old course (K1),Time to express your thoughts using subjects and predicatesWe have established. Organize what’s in your head and say it in a way that the person listening to you can understand. This condition of “having someone to talk to” makes it necessary to use Japanese. In conversations at home, it is easy to understand just words because the context is shared, but this is not the case in a presentation setting. The topic of the presentation isseasonal eventsorevents around youIt also includes words that can only be found in Japanese. When living overseas, there are limited opportunities to come into contact with these things, so we deal with language and knowledge from everyday life at the same time. Before this3 year old and 4 year old child courseThere is a stage where you become familiar with the language, and thenPicture diary for 6 year old course (K2)、JLPT (Japanese Language Proficiency Test) preparation for elementary school students courseContinues to. What remains the same at all stages is that the time spent communicating in Japanese with children of the same age provides a reason to use Japanese, which is difficult for families to prepare on their own.
4. Tips you can do at home
There are things you can do in your daily life without special teaching materials. Frequency is more important than length.
1. Don’t let them rephrase their words even if they reply in English.
If they reply in English, it is not a sign that they do not understand Japanese. In most cases, you can hear and understand. Asking for rephrasing can make the conversation boring, so it is enough for adults to just keep replying in Japanese.
2. Add words during live broadcasts of your life
Add words to what you are doing, such as, “Let’s cut the carrots.” Even if you don’t make time for regular study, the vocabulary you’ll be exposed to will increase naturally.
3. Create opportunities to talk with Japanese families
Video calls with grandparents are a clear reason to use Japanese. Being in a situation where the other person only speaks Japanese brings out the feeling of wanting to communicate.
4. If you are the only person in your family who speaks Japanese
We recommend that one person decide on their role in Japanese and continue speaking to them in Japanese. There is no need for the other parent to speak Japanese. As long as the child recognizes that Japanese language time is important, the child can use Japanese with peace of mind.
FAQ
Q. Even when I speak to them in Japanese, they respond in English. Should I stop learning Japanese?
A. There is no need to stop. The language you respond to will change depending on your environment and familiarity. If you can listen and understand, your speaking ability will often catch up later.
Q. I am the only person who speaks Japanese at home. Will I still be able to improve my Japanese?
A. It grows. What is more important than the number of people you talk to is that you have someone to consistently interact with in Japanese, and that there are opportunities to use Japanese outside of your home.
Q. I have not yet decided whether I will return to Japan or not. Is there any point in continuing to study Japanese?
A. Whether you have plans to return to Japan or not, Japanese is a language that allows you to communicate with your family and connects you to your child’s roots. Even if you don’t know your future path, it’s well worth continuing.
Conclusion
Developing Japanese language abroad is a long-term relationship. Even if there are times when things don’t go as planned, it’s not a setback, it’s like a natural wave. If you tell me where you are right now, I will tell you what you think would be a good idea to do next.