JITCO

Case 7: To Pass Level 3 on the Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT): A Unified Effort for Japanese Language Training C&M Co. Ltd.

C&M Co. Ltd., in Sabae, Fukui, has been accepting two groups of Indonesian trainees and technical interns every year since January 1998 under the instruction of the primary organization, the Association for International Manpower Development of Medium and Small Enterprises, Japan (IMM Japan).  More than 32 trainees and interns have been hosted so they can experience the work associated with electroplating.
The company's vision is to contribute internationally, which leads to accepting trainees and interns.  In the past, the company was invited to set the operations overseas, but decided that they prefer providing foreign workers technical and skills training here in Japan.  Since then, the company has been committed to developing international human resources domestically.

C&M focuses on Japanese language training more than any other element in the training program.  The company's commitment was so well known that IMM Japan's reported on in their newsletter.
New trainees complete a 4-month training program prior to arrival, which includes Japanese language and customs.  C&M assigns homework on a daily basis for the first 3 months in order to assist trainees in mastering language related to health and safety.  Around 2 months into the training, a Japanese employee is assigned to each trainee as a mentor to correct training reports and journals while using Kanji drills for first to sixth graders.  All trainees and interns are expected to pass the Level 3 on the JLPT before leaving Japan, and the company covers all expenses related to studying and test taking.  Once trainees pass Level 3, they are taught to read the news on the Internet and Japanese textbooks used at junior high schools, which were actually used by the Japanese employees themselves when they were students.
At first, trainees seem to be overwhelmed by the amount they have to study.  In a year, however, after keeping up with the tough curriculum, they have enough knowledge to pass Level 3 of the JLPT.  Also for the mentors, creating instruction guides for each trainee has assisted Japanese employees in developing more effective teaching methods.

[Group Training]

[Individual Instruction]

[Training Report with Correction by A Mentor]

As for living arrangements, C&M hosts trainees from various regions in Indonesia, and to avoid conflicts caused by territorial differences, the company instructs them to speak Standard Indonesian to each other, and also encourages them to speak as much Japanese as they can.
The company organizes recreational events to provide opportunities for trainees and interns to experience Japanese culture.  Trainees and interns also strive to be involved with employees and the local community to expose themselves to Japanese-speaking environment.

[Experiencing Tea Ceremony]

[Exchange with the Local Elementary School]

According to the manager, Mr. Yoshiaki Higurashi, "There are several reasons why we decided to put more emphasis on Japanese language training: we hoped that they would be here for more than just money.  We expect them to pass at least Level 3 on the JLPT.  Lastly, learning Japanese seems to help them understand our strict quality control regimen.
"Electroplating can be processed on a variety of machinery in different companies.  It would be unwise to only learn how to operate one machine.  We want our trainees to gain deeper knowledge and more advanced techniques associated with electroplating.  We have been implementing a strict curriculum ever since we started accepting trainees in which our confidence has grown after the second generation of trainees passed Level 2 on the JLPT."
Commenting on individual instruction, a mentor Ms. Itsuko Nagata stated, " I hope that as the Japanese skills of the trainees improve, they will become more confident and make more Japanese friends.  They can learn and grow through relationships with others."
The unified effort by the company has paid off: on the JLPT, 4 trainees have passed Level 2, and 19 trainees have passed Level 3.  Over the past 8 years, 8 trainees have won awards at the Health and Safety Essay Contest sponsored by IMM Japan, 2 trainees have been selected as for Best Works and 6 have received Honorable Mentions at the Japanese Essay Contest sponsored by JITCO.

[Receiving an Award at the Health and Safety Essay Contest]

[Award Winners at This Year's Japanese Essay Contest]

Regarding the JLPT, Mr. Higurashi commented, "Level 3 is easy enough for passive learners to pass, but Level 2 requires more commitment.  We can only help so much.  We noticed over the course of the program, there are some trainees who study hard, or don't study at all and have difficulty keeping up with the pressure.  I think those who remain consistent can smile at the end."

Following are the comments regarding individual instruction:
"At first, I was curious yet scared about working with people from different countries.  Now I feel as if I am taking care of precious sons for their parents.  I hope that their experiences in Japan help them in the future.  I would like to support them so that their 3 years are fulfilling and worthwhile." (Ms. Michiko Uesaka)

"The trainees and I are close in age, so I think of myself not as a teacher, but as a sister.  I want them to learn everything they can while they are here, and excel in their home country through this experience.  I learned a lot from them, and this has been an important experience for me as well."  (Ms. Miyuki Maeno)

C&M continues to be creative in its language training so that the trainees pass the level 1 on the JLPT.  The company is also planning to organize a reunion for the returnees, which has become an important event in their home country.  C&M Co. Ltd. strives to be a productive business in many aspects.