2014 Nihongo Conference Program


14th Annual International Conference on Japanese Studies Nihongo in Globalization: Language Education, Societies and Power グローバル化する日本語を考える:言語教育、多文化社会と国家
24-25 January 2014
Leong Hall, Ateneo de Manila University

Over the last few decades, there has been a remarkable change in the situation of second/foreign language. Multiculturalism and multilingualism have been adopted in many countries, and a demand for translingual competence has been increasing, responding globalization and the consequent cross-border phenomena in the world. The creation of the Common European Framework of References for Languages (CEFR) in 2001 has brought about an immense impact on theory and practice in pedagogical settings of second/foreign languages. For Japanese language, the Japan Foundation Standards for Japanese-Language Education in 2010, which essentially adopted the CEFR’s conceptual framework and objective criteria, has been gradually transforming the situation of Japanese as Foreign Language.

The Philippines, which is inherently a multiligual country, have long embraced the dominance of English language. Recognizing the global trend, however, the new K-12 Basic Education Program was planned to include the implementation of foreign language subjects, including Japanese, in the school curricula in secondary education in 2014. With this background, the conference is a response to the urgent need to foster the extensive and profound understanding of language, and develop language research. The objectives of the conference are to discuss the various research topics and approaches in dealing with Japanese language, and promote original language research in various social settings. The conference is not limited to Japanese language education but the politics of language as well as the relation between society and language are also within its scope.

This conference is organized by Japanese Studies Program, School of Social Sciences, Ateneo de Manila University in cooperation with Kritika Kultura: A Referred Electric Journal of Literary/Cultural and Language Studies, Ateneo de Manila University, and the Department of Linguistics, the University of the Philippines. It is partially funded by the Japan Foundation.

PROGRAMME
DAY 1

8:00                Registration
9:00                Opening Remarks
                       Welcoming Remarks

9:15 – 10:35   Session 1: Japanese Language in Globalization

Katsumi Kakazu, Former Director of the Japan Foundation, Bangkok

Foreign/Second Language Production and Education from the Perspective of Language Processing
Shigenori Wakabayashi, Chuo University

10:35 – 11:00  Coffee Break

11:00 – 12:20  Session 2: Multilingual Japan

Japanese Language Education for Inclusive Society of Japan: Japanese Sign Language as Second Language
Harumi Kimura, Hitotsubashi University and the College of National Rehabilitation Center for Persons with Disabilities

Language Education towards Multiculturism: Issues and Prospects
Hiroyuki Nomoto, Tokyo Metropolitan University

12:20 – 2:00    Lunch

2:00 – 2:30   Book Launching
                     Japan: Migration and a Multicultural Society
                     Edited by Lydia Yu Jose and Johanna O. Zulueta

2:30 – 4:00    Session 3: Language Acquisition and ICT

mLearning: Using ICT to Create Interactive Digitized Branching Storybooks to Learn Japanese Language and Culture
Michel Syson, Ateneo de Manila University

Developing an Intelligent Tutoring System for Japanese Particles as an Extension to Classroom Learning
Zachary Chung, Ateneo de Manila University

DAY 2

8:30 – 9:00   Registration

9:00 – 10:15 Session 4: Culture in Language: Gender, Politeness and Contingency

Influence of gender in Japanese
Lam Ngoc Nhu Truc, Ba Ria-Vung Tau University

Gender distinction in the Japanese Language Education in the Philippines
Joy Ann Faith Francisco, University of East and Ateneo de Manila University

A Pilot Investigation on Politeness strategies of refusals by Indonesian Learners of Japanese: A Comparative Study
Lisda Nurjaleka, Semarang State University

10:15 – 10:30 Coffee Break

10:30 – 11:45 Session 5: Language Policies and Pedagogy

Variable Japanese Language Instruction and the Global Nihongojin
Alexander Macainag, Noemi Gabines, Rosario Ocho, Revie Rose Pegarido and Takahiro Matsui, Japanese Language Education Conference Committee, Cebu

Developing Japanese Language Materials for the 21st Century Filipino Learners: "entree - Halina! Be a Nihongojin!!"
Chisato Ofune, Florinda Amparo A. Palma Gil and Ria P. Rafael, The Japan Foundation, Manila and the University of the Philippines

11:45 – 12:00 Closing Remarks

Conference fees:

Php 800 for professionals and Php 300 for students

Conference fees for professionals include a conference kit, as well as 2 snacks and lunch. For students, includes a conference program and 2 snacks and lunch

For inquiries and reservations please contact the Japanese Studies Program, Ateneo de Manila University at 426-60-01 loc. 5248 or japanese@admu.edu.ph