Japanisch in der Schule

Abstract

Japanese at schools

1. State of the present development

Presently (May 1993) Japanese is being taught in 9 bundeslander (= about 1100 students and 112 Japanese language courses: 28 study-groups and 84 regular courses.) For all of them Japanese is at least the third foreign language and as such a voluntary subjet.

1. Learning and teaching materials

The materials specially designed for German speaking secondary students are mostly a result of a Model Project on Japanese. (4 different beginner textbooks; 1 advanced learners textbook; a set of 50 text-cards; a collection of texts and oral Abitur-examinations on aspects of life in modern Japan; a textbook for tertiary students of banking and foreing trade which leads up to a Japanese language certificate of the Chamber of Industry and Commerce.) The Model Project on Japanese as well as the Japan Foundation published several works on didactic and methodical questions for teachers of Japanese at German secondary schools.

1. Professional background and training of the teachers

The Japanese language courses are conducted by German japanologists, German high school teachers or native speakers with professional backgrounds and a long-time teaching experience.

1. Special initiatives for the support of Japanese

A variety of special initiatives are introduced and explained, as for instance project-works, exhibitions, roll plays, students exchange programmes, cooperation with German-Japanese societies etc.

1. Future Perspectives for Japanese at schools

The task for the future is to continue the didactic and linguistic discussions and to further improve the methods and standards of Japanese language teaching. One important step toward this direction is the foundation of the association of the Japanese language teachers in Germany (VJS e.V.) and its membership in the Fachverband Moderne  Fremdsprachen.