Problems Encountered by Chinese Students at Japanese Language Schools

Abstract

This study explores the problems Chinese students face in Japanese language schools in Japan. Previous research has found that there were mainly seven problems Chinese students face: inappropriate curriculum and learning materials, inappropriate teaching style and teachers’ attitude, lack of learning opportunities, lack of guidance for students’ future, financial problems, discrimination, and psychological problems. However, previous research is outdated and it has not compared the seriousness of these problems. This study attempted to fill in such research gap. Through a questionnaire survey with 86 Chinese students and semi-structured interviews with 10 respondents, this research found that the seriousness of these problems was various. It showed that (1) lack of guidance for students’ future, inappropriate teaching styles and teachers’ attitudes, lack of learning opportunities, inappropriate teaching curriculum and teaching materials were serious problems, (2) financial problems and psychological problems were less serious problems, and (3) discrimination was not a problem at all. Besides these seven problems, this study also found problems related to their personality and/or adaptability and problems concerning school rules and systems. Part of these findings may reflect the change in Chinese students’ current situation in Japan.