What got you interested in Japanese learning guidance?

"Nihongo Hiroba" started in 2008. Since that time, there have been several Japanese language classes organized by the local volunteers in Kitakyushu, but there weren't any classes for the children. Therefore, the Kitakyushu International Association opened "Nihongo Hiroba" for the purpose of providing learning and adaptation support for the international children. The location to carry out the class has changed several times depending on the situation and needs at that time, but it is currently being carried out in Kokurakita Ward and Yahatanishi Ward. Due to the corona crisis, we are also providing online classes intermittently.

At "Nihongo Hiroba", we sometimes receive consultations from the children or parents accompanying them. In most of the cases, chatting in the classroom leads to consultations, so as necessary, we are handing it over to the counselors and coordinators at the One-Stop Information Center. In addition, we are inviting experts and interpreters to hold a consultation meeting (reservation required, free of charge) regarding parenting and education once a month which is at the same date, time, and location as "Nihongo Hiroba". There are some people who are using this. Most of the consultations are related to Japanese language learning, other subject’s learning, and school life However, since the problems are concerning various issues such as the systems and customs of Japanese society as the background, it is pluralistic. The consultation that has been increasing recently at the “Nihongo Hiroba” are from the junior high school students, and it’s about high school entrance examination and their career path.

What are the points you struggled and improved through connection with the Board of Education and schools?

With the school and Board of Education, we are holding meetings, doing consultations,and sharing the information as necessary. In particular, it is not rare to require them to share their personal information in order to scrupulously provide better support for them. Therefore, we are always trying to build a relationship of mutual trust so that we can share and exchange information smoothly in such situations.

What are the points you struggled and improved through connection with the Board of Education and schools?

With the school and Board of Education, we are holding meetings, doing consultations, and sharing the information as necessary. In particular, it is not rare to require them to share their personal information in order to scrupulously provide better support for them. Therefore, we are always trying to build a relationship of mutual trustso that we can share and exchange information smoothly in such situations. Also, we are receiving understanding and support from the teachers of the school and Board of Education.

What do you think of children who are not able to go to school (pre-school)?

At our “Nihongo Hiroba”, we haven’t yet got a child who is in the situation of not being able to go to school during the course of compulsory education. About the children who are living in Japan for a short period of time (with no resident registration), based on the will of the child himself/herself and their guardians, we are supporting them by consulting the school or the Board of Education, and lead them to attend school by “trial lesson”. However, for the child who can’t proceed to high school since they came to Japan after graduating junior high school, it is still one of the problems we need to consider.

In Kitakyushu city, we have five “International children’s education center school” for international children who need Japanese language guidance, and other than these schools, they also can get Japanese learning guidance as well. Because there are supporting systems like these in the Board of Education or schools, we are feeling that it is also enabling them to lead to our classes smoothly.