JITCO

Case 9:  Implementation of Japanese Language Training through Cooperation with Accepting Companies: Japanese Speech Contest

Joho Highway, Kantsu Co-Op, Joho Link, and Joho Venture

Japanese Language Training is one of the most crucial elements in making industrial training and technical internships meaningful.  We have discussed cases where awards are given to trainees and interns who pass the Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT), and newsletters for trainees and interns are published to support their studies.  These publications include new methods of language teaching such as student-centered methods that can be tailored to the individual.  The following, however, is a unique case where a more hands-on approach on language training had been established through the close interaction of four different accepting organizations.

The inaugural Japanese Speech Contest was held at Kobe Oriental Hotel.  Four Cooperatives jointly organized the event: Joho Highway, the Kantsu Co-Op, Joho Link, and Joho Venture.  20 contestants, who had gone though tough screening process with more than 1,000 other Chinese trainees and technical interns, conducted presentations on personal topics such as their families in China and Japan, life as a trainee in Japan, and also learning Japanese.  The audience was touched by the heartfelt accounts of the contestants' presentations.

The panel of 5 judges consisted of staff members from the cooperatives, the Hyogo Vocational Ability Development Association, and JITCO.  Best Speaker, three Outstanding Speakers, and two Excellent Speakers were selected.

[The Best Speaker: Jia Yu Cong from Joho Highway Cooperatives]

The four cooperatives, all from different industries, specialize in highway construction and joint procurement in Chubu, Kansai, and Chu-Shikoku areas.  They began co-accepting foreign trainees and technical interns five years ago, and the president of each cooperative became acquainted with one another through the federation meetings.  Eventually, they agreed to start the "Joho Group".

Although there had been exchanges of information among staff of the cooperatives about accepting trainees and interns, yet no events had been held for their trainees and interns to interact.  The need to increase and strengthen the communication among the cooperatives increased, along with the need to increase effort in language training to help trainees and technical interns communicate more with the accepting organizations for better understanding.

As a result, the 4 cooperatives decided to expand current activities and conducted since 2005 by Joho Venture.  "The Summer Exchange for Trainees" had included a BBQ party, a speech contest, and a choir festival, and so the four cooperatives decided to co-organize the Japanese speech contest as well.

[Choir Festival at the Summer Exchange for Trainees]

These cooperatives have also generated motivation to study in their language training program by developing their own language training materials, circulating relay journals, providing and correcting study exercises, giving mock exams and post-exam surveys for the JLPT, and also participating actively in the Japanese Composition Contest sponsored by JITCO.  Some cooperatives scheduled intensive training as part of their efforts for the speech contest too.  Moreover, in order to increase not only their reading and writing but also their communication skills, Japanese staff made sure to sit with the groups of Chinese during lunch, and encouraged to participate in festivals and volunteer activities with local communities.  This had an additional benefit for local communities by increasing their understanding of trainees and technical interns, as well as of the accepting organizations' intention.

[Making Chinese Noodles at the Community Festival (Kantsu Co-Op)]

All four cooperatives found the speech contest worthwhile.  "After the contest, the interaction among companies, trainees and technical interns became much more active," Mr. Sakate from Joho Highway commented.

Mr. Takashima from Joho Venture said, "The participants were able to compare themselves against other trainees and interns and assess where they stood in their language acquisition process.  And as for the cooperatives, it gave us a better idea on where the emphasis of our language instruction should be."

The cooperatives created the compilation books of works presented at the contest along with the DVD footage of the practice sessions and the day of the contest (shown below).  The books and the DVD's were distributed to each company.  An article reporting on the contest appeared in the Joho Group's newsletter, "Ni Hao Tsuushin" in June, 2006.

[A Crime Prevention Seminar by Tottori Police]

[A Fire Drill Conducted by Yazu Fire Department]

Post-contest publicity has greatly motivated the trainees and interns who could not make it to the contest, and those who saw their 20 fellow interns present speeches at the contest.

At the beginning of 2007, the four cooperatives discussed the date for the second speech contest which was tentatively scheduled for June the 2nd, 2007, and began their preparations for the event.  So far, they had decided on the theme of the presentations, on increasing the number of participants, and also the judging process.

Due to the expanded event size, it was expected that the number of participants would double from 100 as at the last contest.  Mr. Aiga, the managing director at Kantsu Co-Op and one of the working members for the speech contest, commented, "It is essential that all related companies and lifestyle mentors understand how important it is to hold this event."

When asked about the enthusiasm for the next contest, Joho Link's Mr. Fukazawa responded, "A lack of practice resulted in contestants from our organization becoming very nervous on stage.  They could not speak lively.  This time, we would like to prepare them well for the awards." 

Two participants from Yamaichi Corporation, a subsidiary of the cooperative, also commented as follows:

"At last year's speech contest, I was able to feel the trainees' and the intern' enthusiasm for their Japanese study.  I appreciate the people in the cooperatives and the companies for treating us trainees and interns with great care.   This year, I would also like to express to the audience my thoughts and experiences."  (Mr. Xian Yong, a trainee.)

"I admire the trainees and interns who put so much effort into becoming a bridge between China and Japan.  It will help them more than anything to learn how to express their feelings in Japanese.  I hope they participate as actively this year!" (Mr. Kiichiro Yamashita, the executive vice president.)

With the second Japanese speech contest approaching in three months, trainees and technical interns at the cooperatives have been working hard to finish writing the essay in order to pass the first selection process in March.