New trend in study abroad program to Japan has emerged in recent years among Indonesian students, including learners of Japanese. Study abroad in Japanese language schools or vocational schools combined with working or training experiences started to gain popularity. However, Japanese language schools as a side-door for importing cheap labors has also become an issue of concern, in which many have poor quality of Japanese language education (Liu-Farrer, 2011). Doubts and criticism concerning students’ real intention to come to Japan, whether to study or to work, remain as well among Japanese society (Shiho, 2015).
This study examined oral and written narratives of 10 Indonesian learners of Japanese who were participating in study abroad programs in Japan. A model of investment proposed by Darvin and Norton (2015) was employed to look into learners’ investment and to understand how identity, capital, and ideology intertwine with one another, subsequently facilitating or hindering learners’ future opportunities. This includes how Japanese language, despite the fact that it is expected to be an empowering drive to join Japanese society and a key to social integration (Iino, 2010; Kobayashi, 2014), is being more like as a gatekeeper for international students, requiring certificate of high level language competency in order to enter a higher status or position within the society.
References:
Darvin, R. & Norton, B. (2015) Identity and A Model of Investment in Applied Linguistics. Annual Review of Applied Linguistics, 35, pp. 36-56.
Iino, M. (2010) Language Idealism and Realism in Globalization: Exploring Homogeneity Beliefs in Japan. In V. Vaish (ed.), Globalization of Language and Culture in Asia: The Impact of Globalization Processes on Language. London: Continuum, pp. 61-81.
Kobayashi, Y. (2014) Language Education for Migrant Workers and Their Social Integration in Japan. Global Migration Research Paper No.8, pp. 1-65.
Liu-Farrer, G. (2011) Labor Migration from China to Japan: International Students, Transnational Migrants. New York: Routledge.
Shiho, R. (2015) Gaikokujin Ryuugakusei no Ukeire to Arubaito ni Kansuru Kinnen no Keikou ni tsuite (Recent Trends Concerning the Acceptance of Foreign Students and Part-time Job). Nihon Roudou Kenkyuu Zasshi (Journal of Labour Research in Japan) No. 662, pp. 98-115.
