As foreign-born students increase in Japan's evening junior high schools, Akatsuki Junior High in Himeji, Hyogo Prefecture, is using a book-review game called bibliobattle to teach Japanese. The initiative aims to improve speaking and listening skills while making learning engaging.
Akatsuki Junior High School in Himeji, Hyogo Prefecture, opened in 2023 and has 12 students from countries including Vietnam and the Philippines, making foreign-born students nearly half of its 26 total enrollment. With the growing number of such students in evening classes, educators are innovating Japanese-language instruction.
On Wednesday night, a bibliobattle event took place in the school library. Students, having read Japanese picture books beforehand, explained what they found compelling in Japanese, even if not fully fluent yet.
A Nepalese student said emphatically, holding up a picture book: “What surprised me as I was reading was the part where I thought the kappa’s child had died, but it turned out the child was alive.”
A smiling 26-year-old third-year female student from Nepal added: “Japanese is difficult, but by reading a book I like, I was able to learn in a fun way. I was happy when everyone understood what was good about the book.”
Yuka Fujiwara, the teacher in charge of Japanese studies, explained: “We thought talking about a book’s appeal, listening to other students’ presentations and asking questions would lead to improved Japanese skills.” Principal Masamichi Yamashita praised the initiative, saying it helps develop speaking and listening skills.
Evening junior high schools are open to students of any age or nationality, with 62 public ones nationwide. As of May 2024, they enrolled 1,969 students, of whom 1,256—about 60%—were foreign nationals. This approach at Akatsuki exemplifies efforts to support foreign students' integration through engaging education.