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How to create an effective Japanese language learning program for foreign staff

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Japanese language learning programs for foreign staff are becoming increasingly important to smooth communication in the workplace and strengthen teamwork.

This article details how companies can design effective Japanese language programs.

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Why is it necessary to learn Japanese to work in Japan?

Japanese learning program is required

Japanese companies have a major problem of not having enough people to work even though the number of jobs is increasing, and to solve this problem, they are increasingly hiring human resources from overseas. For foreign workers coming from overseas, learning Japanese is very important in order to understand work instructions and cooperate well with everyone on the team. However, many foreigners find it difficult to learn Japanese, especially in work situations, as it uses a lot of specialized words. Additionally, many companies say they have trouble communicating with staff from other countries. Therefore, solid Japanese language education is necessary.

Learn from Japanese language education at restaurants

For example, Mr. Lin from Vietnam works at a restaurant, but he has difficulty communicating with customers because he has difficulty reading the Japanese menu when taking orders. For her, the restaurant introduced Japanese classes that included everyday conversation and specialized terminology related to the menu, which improved work efficiency.

Learning from Japanese language education at factories

For example, Akira, a factory worker from Thailand, cannot understand how to operate machinery or understand important safety instructions unless he speaks Japanese. Therefore, his workplace has introduced Japanese language classes that cover everything from basic work instructions to safety rules, allowing foreign staff, including Akira, to work safely and efficiently.

For foreign staff to learn Japanese wellfor

Three points of the Japanese learning program

There are three important points to help foreign staff learn Japanese properly:

  1. First, clarify the Japanese language skills required for the job.
  2. Next, understand the staff's current Japanese level and set goals.
  3. Finally, choose the environment, materials, tools, and services that are best suited for your learning.

By following these steps, you will be able to accurately assess the language proficiency of each staff member and create an efficient learning plan that will help you reach your desired goals.

Learn from concrete examples

Maria, a caregiver from the Philippines, is currently able to carry out daily conversations, but she is having difficulty with specialized nursing terminology. Next, she assesses her current language level and aims to help her understand and use the terminology used in care settings. To help her achieve her goals, she chooses online programs that she can study at home, as well as classes that practice phrases she would use in real-life care settings.

The role of feedback in the design of Japanese language education programs

In Japanese language education programs, it is often pointed out that the content learned is not utilized in the actual workplace environment. Even if a learner has memorized the words, they may struggle with pronunciation, or they may be able to speak but have trouble listening, and each learner will have different challenges.

Here, we will introduce effective feedback approaches and specific programs to improve your Japanese language skills.

Conversation practice in real situations

【daily life simulation】

Conversation simulations are performed in places commonly used in daily life, such as supermarkets and restaurants. Through situations such as shopping and ordering food, you can learn expressions and phrases used on a daily basis, and improve both your Japanese listening and speaking skills.

  • Supermarket shopping simulation
    • Participants practice shopping in a supermarket. You will select a product, ask for the price, and make payment, all in Japanese. Use a physical store or recreate the environment in your classroom.
  • Practice ordering at a restaurant
    • Practice reading the menu and ordering. Learn the names of various dishes and drinks, and have the opportunity to practice them in an actual restaurant. You will also practice how to communicate allergy information and special requests.

Improving pronunciation and comprehension

【Practice pronunciation of basic words and phrases】

Practice pronunciation of basic Japanese words and phrases and acquire accurate pronunciation. In particular, by practicing pronunciation of difficult sounds such as ``ri'', ``re'', and ``ru'', you will be able to speak Japanese with more confidence.

  • Pronunciation practice using karaoke
    • Have fun practicing your pronunciation by singing popular Japanese songs at karaoke. You can learn rhythm and intonation naturally, which helps you get a feel for the rhythm of the language.
  • Japanese news viewing and discussion
    • We will watch Japanese news programs and discuss the content. Strengthen your listening and speaking skills by summarizing the news and practicing expressing your opinions in Japanese.

Japanese in business situationsskill

【Business situation role play】

We will perform role plays that simulate actual business situations such as meetings and presentations. Learn technical terms and expressions often used in business and develop practical business communication skills.

  • business meeting role play
    • Practice business Japanese through role-play by recreating business meeting situations. We communicate in accordance with actual business situations, such as progressing meetings, proposing topics, and expressing opinions.
  • presentation skills workshop
    • A workshop where participants make presentations on business-related topics and receive feedback. This course will improve your presentation skills in Japanese by focusing on presentation structure, document creation, effective speaking, etc.

How to evaluate the results of Japanese language education programs

When introducing a Japanese language education program, it is important to check whether it is actually effective. To this end, it is necessary to use objective evaluation methods.

Here, we will introduce methods for evaluating the results of Japanese language education. By combining these methods, it is possible to quantitatively and qualitatively evaluate the progress of learners' Japanese language skills. Also, based on these evaluation results, review the education plan and adjust the curriculum to provide more effective learning support.

Progress evaluation and adjustment of educational plans

In order to know whether a Japanese class is going well, it is effective to conduct regular tests and listen to feedback from learners. This allows you to monitor your staff's progress and adjust their learning plans as needed. Monitoring your own progress can also help you stay focused on your goals.

Conducting regular tests

To measure your progress in language proficiency, you will be tested regularly on listening, reading, and speaking skills. For example, we conduct a quiz every three months to measure the Japanese language skills necessary for work, and evaluate progress based on the results.

Evaluation of results through portfolio

Using a portfolio of business documents, presentation materials, etc. created by the learner, we will evaluate the status of Japanese usage in actual work. This allows us to confirm language proficiency in actual practice and measure specific skill improvement.

Promoting self-evaluation

We provide a self-evaluation sheet for learners to evaluate their own Japanese language proficiency. We will provide opportunities for students to self-check their ability to use newly learned vocabulary and communication obstacles encountered during work.

Gathering feedbackand analysis

Collect regular feedback from learners' colleagues and supervisors to understand their opinions on language use in the workplace and how learners are improving their communication skills.

Observation of business application

Observe how effectively learners use Japanese at work and evaluate the degree to which they apply language skills in real-life work situations. For example, we will collect examples of successful Japanese language use through specific work, such as presentations at meetings and negotiations with clients.

How to create a workplace where foreign staff can work comfortably

Accepting diversity in the workplace and creating a comfortable working environment for foreign staff is extremely important in promoting international business development. In addition to providing Japanese language education, you should also pay attention to workplace culture and communication style.

Here, we will introduce specific ways to help foreign staff work comfortably.

Creating an environment other than studying

In addition to learning Japanese, it is also important to make friends at work. Create opportunities for everyone to collaborate by practicing speaking in Japanese during lunch and breaks, and by planning fun events. It is also important to consider different cultures and customs and create an environment where staff from other countries can work with peace of mind.

Initiatives to deepen understanding of multiculturalism

In order to create a comfortable working environment for foreign staff, it is important that all employees deepen their understanding of multiculturalism. Hold regular cultural exchange workshops and events like cultural exchange fairs to share the values ​​and customs of different cultures and deepen mutual understanding. This helps reduce cross-cultural misunderstandings and creates a welcoming work environment for people from diverse backgrounds.

improved communication

In order to communicate smoothly with foreign staff, it is important to pay attention not only to language but also to nonverbal communication styles. For example, training on how to communicate using gestures and facial expressions can deepen understanding beyond language barriers. Cross-cultural counselor certification courseWe also recommend using .

It is also effective to be creative in choosing the language in the workplace (for example, setting aside times when English or another common language is used). In this way, by incorporating a variety of communication methods, it is possible to create an environment where foreign staff can easily express their opinions.

Enhanced support system

It is important to have a multilingual support system in place to deal with any issues that foreign staff may face. For example, we will implement measures such as providing materials related to human resources and administrative procedures in multiple languages, and assigning staff who can speak multiple languages. In addition, by providing support in terms of daily life such as visas, housing, and medical care, foreign staff will be able to live in Japan with peace of mind.

One option is to leave particularly complicated visa changes and other lifestyle support to specialized agencies.
▶︎ Life support support for foreigners [Specific skills window]

Continuous feedback and improvement

In order to improve the work environment, it is necessary to actively accept feedback from foreign staff and develop improvement measures as necessary. Listen to their opinions and suggestions and use them to improve your work environment through regular surveys and meetings. This process also helps them feel valued as part of the workplace.

Tips for choosing an online Japanese learning program

In order for foreign staff to efficiently learn Japanese, it is also important to utilize online Japanese language learning programs. Online learning offers a great opportunity to improve your Japanese language skills despite the constraints of time and location, even within your busy schedule. However, with so many online programs available, choosing the one that best suits your needs can be difficult. Below, we will introduce the criteria for choosing an online Japanese learning program and some recommended programs.

Criteria for choosing an online program

When choosing a service to learn Japanese online, consider whether there are courses that suit your goals, whether lessons can be taken on time with foreign staff, whether it is worth the money, and whether it is a reliable educational institution. Choose carefully.

Recommended online Japanese learning programs

When choosing an online service, look for one that is experienced and reliable, such as the International Japanese Language Training Council (IJEC) or Tokyo Central Japanese (TCJ). These services provide programs tailored to the needs of each staff member, and fully support the improvement of Japanese language skills while taking advantage of the convenience of online learning.

  • International Japanese Language Training Association (IJEC)
    • Responding to diverse needs
      • IJEC offers programs for Japanese language learners of various levels, from beginners to advanced learners. For example, we cover a wide range of courses, from courses that focus on everyday conversation to courses that specialize in business Japanese, medical fields, law, and other specialized fields.
    • Individual study plan
      • Provides a personalized learning plan that takes into account the learner's current level and goals. For example, there are intensive courses for people who want to learn travel Japanese in a short period of time, and programs for people who want to learn business Japanese over a long period of time.
    • practical learning materials
      • We incorporate many practical teaching materials and activities that can be used in actual life and work situations in Japan. This allows you to immediately try out what you've learned in real life.
  • Tokyo Central Japanese (TCJ)
    • Strengthening individual guidance
      • TCJ focuses on one-on-one lessons and small group instruction tailored to each student, and has a system in place that allows us to deeply respond to individual questions.
    • flexible scheduling
      • Because the lessons are online, you can access them from anywhere in the world, making it easy to find time to study in your busy schedule. For example, you can create a lesson schedule that suits your lifestyle, such as studying after work or on weekends.
    • Ongoing support
      • Dedicated support staff are always available for questions and consultation while students are self-studying. This allows you to continuously improve your Japanese language skills while maintaining your motivation to learn.

summary

How was that?

In order for staff members from abroad to work comfortably in Japan, it is extremely important that they have a solid understanding of Japanese.

Choosing Japanese language education services will help them quickly adjust to their new life in Japan, and will also help them communicate smoothly at work and improve their work performance. Having such a system in place at your company will greatly contribute to the growth and success of not only your staff, but the company as a whole.

I would be happy if I could be of some help in creating a Japanese language education program that suits your company.

Also, if you are thinking of hiring foreigners, please seeCalima!"or"Foreign recruitment support PRO” is recommended, so please check it out.

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