Spotlights

[Research News] Can Volunteers Replace Professional Language Teachers in Japan?

(Summary)
While language education is critical for the social integration of foreign residents, Japan’s system remains heavily dependent on volunteer labor. New research by Associate Professor Bettina Gildenhard, from the Faculty of Global Communications, examines the intersection of national policy and local practice within these volunteer-led Japanese language programs. Through policy analysis and field research, the study concludes that this reliance fosters a "semi-professional" environment, which not only impacts educational quality but also risks stifling the potential of both the volunteers and the residents they serve.

Reference
Gildenhard, B. (2026). Volunteering in local Japanese classes – insights into a microcosm between personal initiatives, national language policies and the quest for professionalism. Japan Forum, 1–25.
https://doi.org/10.1080/09555803.2026.2656200

Title: How volunteers are shaping language education in Japan
Caption: Study shows the potential and limitations of local Japanese classes run by volunteers.
Credit: Goryukaku from Wikimedia Commons
Image source link: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:GlobALS_learner_with_daughter_attending_ALS_class.jpg
icense type: CC BY-SA 3.0
Usage restrictions: Credit must be given to the creator. Adaptations must be shared under same terms.