The Vocabulary of Japanese Language Textbooks for Returning and Foreign Children: Achieving “Symbiotic” Elementary School Japanese Language Education in a Globalized Society

Abstract

In recent years, the number of foreign children residing in Japan has been increasing, leading to a growing need for Japanese language instruction for JSL (Japanese as a Second Language) children who do not speak Japanese as their native language. The role of the Japanese language curriculum in compulsory education is critically important in providing instructions to these children. However, Japanese is considered a particularly challenging subject for JSL children. Additionally, for those involved in teaching and supporting these children, it is often difficult to determine which specific vocabulary should be taught. In response, this study conducted a comprehensive survey of the vocabulary included in first-grade Japanese language textbooks and analyzed their difficulty and characteristics. The survey results reveal that the textbooks contained words that are difficult from the perspective of JSL education, as well as words outside the  standard grade-level vocabulary, posing significant challenges to JSL children. Furthermore, the vocabulary survey of Japanese language textbooks for returning and foreign children highlights the need for step-by-step instruction based on a thorough understanding of the vocabulary characteristics in these textbooks when providing learning support to JSL children in their first year of compulsory education. The study concludes that it is essential to build foundational data and that this research contributes to creating and analyzing data related to the Japanese language curriculum. The study also discusses future research challenges and prospects in this field.