President and Executive Vice President of Chiba University Visit Japanese Language Class at the Center for International Education

On May 7, 2025, Professor Koutaro Yokote, President of Chiba University, and Professor Hiroko Goto, Executive Vice President (VP) for Operations and Information Management, visited a Japanese language course offered by the university's Center for International Education. Their visit underscored the university's steadfast commitment to supporting international students and fostering inclusive learning environments.

As Chiba University's hub for Japanese language education and intercultural understanding, the Center offers courses across eight proficiency levels, from beginner to advanced. These classes are open to international undergraduate and graduate students, as well as visiting researchers. During the 2024 academic year alone, the Center provided 123 courses, with an enrollment of 1,154 international students.

The course observed by President Yokote and Executive VP Goto was Japanese 201, an upper-elementary-level class taught by Assistant Professor Kazuyuki Nomura of the Graduate School of Global and Transdisciplinary Studies. The class featured a diverse group of students from regions including Finland, France, Germany, Indonesia, mainland China, Mexico, Spain, and Taiwan.

This session also welcomed students enrolled in the Practice-Based Program for Japanese Learning Support, a university-wide micro-credential initiative launched in 2023. The program encourages participants to develop skills in providing peer-based support for learners of Japanese as a second or foreign language, with a focus on effective communication. As part of their studies, participants observed Professor Nomura's class to strengthen their understanding of how to support Japanese language learners through reflection and practice.

During the session, President Yokote shared personal experiences from his time living abroad, expressing empathy for the challenges of navigating an unfamiliar language and culture. "I hope each of you will make many friends during your time in Japan," he said warmly. Executive VP Goto followed with thoughtful advice on intercultural communication: "When you don't understand something, it's okay to say so honestly. That openness can actually help bring people closer and spark new friendships."

Afterward, students engaged in a learning activity focused on polite request expressions in Japanese. Responding to student questions, President Yokote and Executive VP Goto shared their childhood dreams, fostering a supportive and open classroom atmosphere.

Following the lesson, the executives toured the Japanese Language Study Room located within the Center. There, Professor Aya Yoshino, Director of the Center for International Education, explained how graduate student tutors provide collegial, peer-level support to international students learning Japanese.

Chiba University remains committed to cultivating globally engaged individuals prepared to thrive in today's increasingly multicultural society.

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