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Samar State University no Nihongo Kyouiku (SSU Japanese Language

Program)

Article · July 2013

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Elmer Irene
Samar State University
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 SAMAR STATE UNIVERSITY no Nihongo Kyouiku
(SSU Japanese Language Program)
By Elmer Irene

Introduction
The first Japanese class started when it was already included in the new Engineering
curriculum in SY 2007-2008. It was offered based on the premise that the Japanese language
proficiency that the students can gain will give them an edge in terms of employability in a
Japanese firm here in the Philippines or in
Japan should they desire to work there.
The first Japanese class at that time
was composed of 35 students in Civil,
Electrical, Computer and Electronic and
Communication engineering courses. The
rd th
class was a combination of 3 and 4 year
students taking a three-unit course per
semester. To complete the nihongo program
they had to pass two semesters with required
competencies, that is, grammar during the first semester and speaking in the second semester.

SSU Nihongo program: A Teacher’s Reflection

The Japanese language course is split into two semesters. Basic grammar is taught
in the first semester and Speaking in the second semester. But basing it in my study of Nihongo
in Japan, all these four competencies: speaking. reading, writing and grammar should be taught
simultaneously during the semester and which start from the basic and advances to intermediate,
some revisions of the content was done. I taught basic grammar, speaking, reading and writing
in the two semesters but concentrated more on grammar and speaking in the first and the
second semester, respectively.
As most other Japanese courses, I also use the Minna no Nihongo textbook for content
of grammar, vocabulary and conversation while in writing I use another textbook in Hiragana,
Katakana and up to 50 Kanji characters per semester. My students are expected to memorize
and master all hiragana and katakana characters in the first semester because I do not use
romaji anymore in the second semester.
In order to appreciate life and culture in Japan, we had cultural activities like kooryuukai
(Exchange meeting) with Japanese JICA volunteers who were present in our school. I arranged
the meeting at the beach where they played, talked and
befriended our Japanese guests. Our Japanese guests
were asked to prepare a Japanese dish and share it to
us. They were also asked to teach my students to use
chopsticks which they used in eating the Japanese dish.
A short program followed where they sang a Japanese
song and picture taking was next. That was our
kooryoukai but in some other occasion I would just invite
a Japanese guest to our class as a resource person.
The extra activities I usually did in my class aside
from the lecture and kooryuukai are film showing of a
Japanese anime or drama, manga reading for the first sem
and satou (tea ceremony), video shooting of algorithm taiso,
sumo wrestling (new and coming up) and
shodoo(Calligraphy) for the second semester.

Proud Accomplishments
Right now there were already five batches of students who have been taught. For this
school year, there are already two sections taking the
course and each section is composed of not less than 50
students. These students already know how to write their
names in Katakana, read and write hiragana and katakana
characters. They also know little Kanji, but cannot easily
form a sentence from the given pattern. My students are
still excited learning the Japanese but just like in other
schools, there are constraints in their learning the
language.

The Challenges
First is the lack of enough textbooks for this course. I am using only one textbook (the
one which I used in Japan, the Minna no Nihongo). I usually would ask my students to
photocopy the lessons to be covered on that meeting but majority of my students find it difficult to
comply considering the lack of financial resources. They would just resort to borrowing of
photocopied materials from their classmates.
Another constraint is our scheduling scheme here. Our class is scheduled 3-hour per
meeting and every Saturday only. Some of my students suggest changing our schedule to daily
basis or within weekdays because a one-week interval for not hearing or studying Japanese is a
factor to easily forget what they have learned in the previous week, especially so that they do not
practice it at home. As a measure, I told them to practice speaking even outside our class like
talking to their Japanese friends, or to me when we meet on the streets, corridors, etc. I ask
them to bow and greet each other in Japanese. In that way they can practice speaking the
language.

What can you say about the Japanese language program in SSU?
I interviewed some of my students about their impression of the program. Here’s what
they said:

Arianne Donaire, BSCE 3: “Honestly speaking, I could say that the Japanese language is so
hard to study simply because we are not familiar with the language. It is so hard to remember
the words, and the way the sentence is
constructed. It is totally different from our own
language. Though I am really interested to learn
this language, It’s just that, I must admit, I am not
able to cope up with the lesson because of less
concentration and dedication in learning the
subject.”

Renjie Latorre, BSECE 4: “For me, Japanese

language is easy to understand and easy to use if only the students are focused on studying this
subject. In my case, It is hard for me to study this language because we have other subjects
that need our attention. We can’t concentrate in memorizing every single word, and also we
lack exposure and practice. We meet only once a week and there’s not enough time. But, on
the other hand, learning Japanese is fun and gives benefit to me because I learn their language
and through this I could see how polite the Japanese people are.”

Joshua Nieva, BSEE 3: “Based from my experience in studying Japanese language, I could say
that it is really interesting and enjoyable especially when I’m learning new words. But on the
other side, it is quite difficult because there are many vocabulary words and grammar lessons to
be memorized and to be understood. It really needs constant studying and practice. So far,
I’m really enjoying my study of Japanese language and it’s up to me if I want to increase my
knowledge about this language. I should spend more time in memorizing vocabulary words and
understanding the patterns in constructing sentences. I’m looking forward to learning more
about Japanese if I plan to work abroad especially in Japan. It is also an advantage if we know
other language such as this aside from ours and English.”

Niňo Cabueňas, BSECE 4: “Japanese language for me is a very creative language that reflects
Japanese cultures and traditions. Although I’m not yet good in this language I’m sure that this
language is not very difficult to learn if I would only give enough time, hardwork and dedication to
study it.”

Lourline Labian, BSCE 3: “Japanese language is very difficult but it is very interesting, too. Its
characters are cute…like art signs. When it comes to studying Japanese language, It’s as if I
am being pushed by myself to learn how to speak and how to write by just looking at the
characters and listening to the correct pronunciation. It is difficult but I love it. This is the first
time that I’ve encountered this kind of language. Good thing that we have this in our curriculum.
Although memorizing and writing Japanese characters makes me feel crazy, still it’s okay. I
enjoy it.”

Janno Melroy Naron, BSEE 3: “I think Japanese language is very enjoyable because it helps me
understand and know the Japanese culture. Japanese language is very polite. It does not
show any negative way of speaking. I mean when it comes to its usage, it must be used in a
polite form, which in that way, I consider it as the beauty of the language. Another thing is that it
would be my edge if I would go to Japan because I will be able to communicate with them using
their language.”

Carl Bryan Mejica, BSECE4: “The Japanese

language is too hard to understand at the start but
when you learn how to speak well in this language
you will enjoy and you will also learn their culture
and their traditions. As a student of Nihongo
class, all I can say is this subject is interesting
though it requires a lot of hard work to earn how to
speak well and communicate using this language. Nihongo can help me in me in the future
especially if I would work in Japan. I would not also worry because I know how to speak their
language and I understand their traditions.”
 From the words of my students they really find studying the language difficult but
enjoyable, frustrating but challenging, time-consuming but worthwhile and most of all
progressing but interesting. Some of them may just want to quit but every time they accomplish
or learn a new word, grammar or culture they are being pushed to continue studying because
they know that at the end they will gain something. And I think this is the essence of studying
Nihongo. I believe too that it is necessary to learn not only new language but also change
perception in life by knowing Japanese culture and making something worthwhile about activities
and endeavors in life. With that being said, we will continue the Nihongo program as long as
there are students who love the language and for as long as I am here. Till then, sore dewa
mata.

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