I don’t know any Japanese.  How can I help my child?

Studying Japanese is the same as studying any other subject.  Please encourage your child to establish good study habits at home (sometimes taking as little as 5-10 minutes per day to help emphasize that Japanese is very helpful).  Organizing the handouts and other materials are also important steps towards easier review of materials later.

Your child will be taught 3 units per semester from the “Obentoo” textbook.  Each unit usually focuses on enhancing speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills in the following categories:

• Vocabulary
• Expressions
• Grammar

Your child will also need to be familiar with the cultural lessons of different topics per unit, and will compare and contrast concepts using their counterparts in American culture (utilizing examples written in English).

Per unit, assessments are based on individual performance when using the following tools:

• 2 or 3 vocabulary quizzes (usually focused on writing skills);
• 1 major test based on auditory comprehension, as well as abilities in reading, writing, and speaking Japanese;
• 1 project (either language or culture related).

You can assist your child by considering the guidelines listed below:

Daily Activities:

• Ask your child to teach you what he/she learned that day.  Not only can your child review and remember the materials better, he/she will enjoy learning if the parents show interest in the subject matter.
• If applicable, check to make sure that he/she completed all homework assignments.

For Quizzes:

• Use Flashcards

You will not have to be able to recognize Japanese writing or vocabulary.  Your child will need to make flashcards of the vocabulary and expressions; one side written in English, and the other in Japanese.  You can read the English side, and ask your child to write its equivalent down in Japanese.  A combination of reading and writing the vocabulary will yield successful results more so than if he/she only speaks the vocabulary.  Afterwards, you can check your child’s answers by looking at the Japanese side with them when finished.

For Tests:

• Study guide

Your child will be provided with a study guide before the tests.  These will usually contain English, so ask your child to write the Japanese equivalents down repeatedly in order to memorize the terms.  You and your child can check the answers together. 

As for the speaking section, if there is a tape recorder, you or your child can record the question first and then your child can record the correct answer directly afterwards.  Repeat this process until you finish all of the sample questions.  After you have finished the recording, your child can pause after each question, say the answer out loud, and see if he/she is correct or not by comparing the responses.

10 Things You Can Do To Help Your Child Succeed In Japanese Class   

Resource from:  Mike Jaffe (2005), “Involvement & Advocacy,” Japan Foundation.

You as a parent are the greatest influence in your child’s life.  Your attitude and approach to your child’s education can have a great impact on their success.  Below is some advice on how you can positively impact your child’s performance in Japanese.

1.       SHOW INTEREST

Show interest in your child’s work and schooling.  Ask them what they learned that day, and have them teach it to you.  It shows your child that you are genuinely interested in their school life, and that what they are learning is interesting.  Doing this also engages them in thought, and forces them to reprocess the information in an active rather than passive way.

2.      MORAL SUPPORT

You may not be able to experience what your child is in their Japanese program alongside them, but offering moral support when they feel challenged can help them through more difficult aspects of the language.  Let them know that you are there for them, and that it is ok to make mistakes.

3.      Be INVOLVED

Be involved in both their Japanese language program and peripheral/extracurricular programs.  Especially at younger ages there is often a need for volunteers in the classroom, and in clubs.  Sometimes it means carpooling to an event, or sometimes it means helping fundraisers.  Being involved shows you care and encourages your child to take their education more seriously.

4.      EXPOSED THEM TO CULTURE

One of the most positive things you can do to spur your child’s interest in Japanese is to expose them to Japanese culture.  This can be taking them to a Japanese restaurant, renting a Japanese movie, taking them to the Japanese section of town or to a Japanese art exhibit (if there are any nearby), or introduce them to Japanese people.  The possibilities are numerous, and you may be surprised what ends up making a lasting impression on their mind.  This is also a good opportunity to bond with your child.

5.      VALUE JAPANESE AS AN ASSET FOR YOUR CHILD

Knowing any foreign language opens a child’s mind and gives him/her a broader perspective on life.  Japanese can open doors for your child in countless ways.  Realizing that learning Japanese is a valuable asset for your child is vital.  As your child’s most important rod model expressing this makes your child understand the value of their Japanese education.

6.      ENCOURAGE THEM TO SPEAK

Most people are naturally shy about speaking a foreign language at first.  Encouraging your child to try using their Japanese as often as possible can help them break through their shell.  Getting over their shyness of speaking is crucial to the development of their linguistic abilities.  Let them know that there is nothing wrong with making mistakes.  Also keep in mind that Japanese speakers living in the United States are often quite happy to speak with someone who wants to practice their Japanese.

7.      MAKE SURE THEY STUDY REGULARLY

Studying regularly is one of the key elements in becoming skilled in any foreign language.  If your child has trouble motivating in their studies, help them structure their study habits.  This can not only improve their performance in Japanese, but in other areas of study as well.

8.      CHECK UP ON THEIR PROGRESS

Check your child’s test, quiz, or assignment grade.  If your child is having a difficult time, make sure that he/she doesn’t lag behind.  Encourage him/her to attend study sessions or study with a classmate (find study buddy).  Contact your child’s teacher to find out what is happening with your child’s study.

9.      LET THEM GO TO JAPAN

Consider letting your child go on a class trip to Japan, or to be an exchange student in Japan at some point.  Not only will the promise of going motivate them to study, but the stimulation of being immersed in the culture can inspire and drive them to succeed in Japanese.  This is perhaps the most powerful tool in driving a student’s desire and ability to speak Japanese.  For many this can be prohibitively expensive.  Parents can help organize various fundraisers.

10.    HOST A JAPANESE STUDENT

Hosting a Japanese exchange student is something you can do to strengthen your child’s bond with Japanese culture and their interest with Japanese.  Not only will they have a fantastic opportunity to practice their Japanese, but they can establish long lasting friendships.