Distribute Information from Waseda to the World
Dean. Dr. KABAYA, Hiroshi.
A glance at the state of Japanese language education in Japan from the end of the 20th century through this first decade of the 21st century reveals an increasingly apparent diversification of the ages and residency status of people needing to learn Japanese. The quality of Japanese language education required abroad also varies depending on the particular conditions within countries and regions.
Given this age of growing and broadening demand for Japanese language education both here and overseas, Japanese language education is entering a major transition period, and in great demand are Japanese language instructors capable as specialists of adapting to these changes.
Waseda University has given careful consideration to these circumstances surrounding Japanese language education in actively endeavoring to train the next generation of educators by establishing Japan's first graduate-level Japanese applied linguistics program in 2001 and completing development of a doctoral program in 2006.
We welcome a wide spectrum of students from differing backgrounds — foreign students from around the world, Japanese language instructors, working adults, etc. — with the hope of promoting and contributing to Japanese language education here and abroad by enabling students to learn from each other while conducting research rooted in educational practice.
"Disseminating new discipline of education from Waseda to the entire world!" — this is our watchword.
Features of the GSJAL
Integrating Theory and Practice
The Graduate School of Japanese Applied Linguistics (GSJAL) provides classroom-oriented training for Japanese language instructors in close association with the Japanese language education program at the neighboring Center for Japanese Language (The Center: CJL).
The Center offers a rich curriculum designed to cater to individual student's career plans and level of proficiency in Japanese. Language classes are organized into eight ability levels, and consist of a combination of core subjects focused on improvement of communication ability, subjects that teach the four skills (listening, reading, speaking, and writing), kanji, pronunciation, and grammar, and theme-based subjects designed to deepen understanding of Japanese language and Japan through the study of Japanese in the context of particular themes, such as communication, Japanese society, Japanese culture, and so on.
Waseda University has 2,435 foreign students from 86 countries (as of May 2007), mainly consisting of students admitted to undergraduate and graduate courses after passing the highly competitive entrance examination, exchange students recommended for admission by the 519 colleges and universities in 75 countries with which Waseda has student exchange agreements, and students on the Japanese language program who intend to go on to become Japanese language specialists. The Center's Japanese classes are taken by outstanding and highly motivated students from around the world, which, combined with the high level of teaching provided by the Center's instructors, results in a lively and educationally highly effective environment.
Lectures and seminars at the GSJAL deal not only with analysis of the structures and architecture of the Japanese language, but also with what individuals can do to acquire these structures, what sort of environment is required for them to do so, and what support can be provided by instructors. This is made possible by the opportunity for teaching practice created by the Center, where the GSJAL's students can work with foreign learners of Japanese at Waseda to create lively and animated classes.
The integration of theory and practice at the GSJAL is founded on this classroom-based educational practice through the teaching of "living Japanese."
Distinctive admission arrangements
The GSJAL has adopted distinctive admission arrangements to meet a wide range of student needs.
The academic year consists of two semesters, and entrance exams are held twice a year to coincide with the start of each semester (for April admissions and September admissions), providing a degree of flexibility that allows Japanese applicants involved in Japanese language education overseas to time their admission according to the local school year in their host countries. Admissions are handled by the Admissions Office, which selects applicants first through a review of applications, followed by a written essay-style examination and interview to confirm applicants' grounding in and suitability to study Japanese language education. Most students come from a literature or education background, but the program also attracts many graduates of the social and sciences. The high level of international interest in the GSJAL is reflected in the fact that over 40% of students are from overseas.
The GSJAL aims in this manner to attract high-caliber students from Japan and around the world in order to train and educate the instructors who will play a leading role in Japanese language education in the future. (See also the section on entrance examination arrangements.)
Practical curriculum
GSJAL students are provided with a diverse variety of opportunities for teaching practice.
Japanese Language Education Practice
Japanese Language Education Practice is part of the core curriculum of the master's program, and consists of practical training through students' participant observation in Japanese classes taught by full-time GSJAL instructors at the Center for Japanese Language. By participating as third-party observers in the classroom, students gain understanding of classroom activities from the multiple perspectives of both instructors and students, and also experience valuable opportunities to acquire the teaching skills employed in the classroom.
Japanese Language Education Practice also includes more practical courses that allow students to work in discussion with other students and under the guidance of their instructors on everything from overall class design to the setting of classroom goals, determination of learning activities, syllabus design, and classroom teaching. Unlike other practical research, these courses give students the chance to design and teach their own classes with advice from instructors both before and after class, providing clearer support for GSJAL students proceeding on the path to becoming Japanese language instructors.
Courses designed and taught by practical research students (Spring term 2007)
- Improving Your Conversation Skills
- Discussion and Debate Class
- Drama Communication for Self-Expression
- Presentations That Are Easily Communicated to the Listener: A Waseda Tour Guide - Introducing Your Favorite Places Around Campus and Town
Community activities
In recent years, social and economic globalization has increased opportunities for international interaction, creating demand for Japanese language instruction around the world. In response to the broadening need for Japanese language education transcending age, region, and environment, the GSJAL is playing a part in Japanese language education activities in multicultural regions in cooperation with the local governments of Shinjuku and Sumida in Tokyo within Japan, and, overseas, has provided instructors to assist in providing Japanese language instruction at Waseda University's overseas offices and at colleges and universities that have exchange agreements with Waseda. Participation in such activities provides an opportunity for students to develop their ability to respond flexibly to current need and challenges.
Download GSJAL Prospectus [PDF]