Proposal for the Teaching of Japanese as a Foreign Language in Singapore

Abstract

The paper is an attempt to lay out a practical approach to the teaching of Japanese as a foreign language in Singapore. The first section discusses the importance of developing both linguistic com petence and communicative competence in a foreign language learn ing environment. The second section argues that learning objectives in most general language courses, including Japanese, are too far- reaching for the learner. This section, therefore, proposes to set up the primary goal of Japanese language education at entry level — the ability to fulfill fundamental needs immediately after the learner's entry to Japan. The third section reviews briefly the existing syllabi and methods in search for an effectively balanced means to teach. The section on suggested approach tries to incorporate the previous three sections into a realistic and feasible approach in the classroom. Finally, the paper stresses the use of eclectic approach in Japanese language teaching in Singapore and alludes to change in the foreign language classroom in the 1980's.