Friday, August 21, 2015

How to Host Japanese Foreign Exchange Students


Assume the student speaks imperfect English and adjust your expectations accordingly. While all Japanese exchange students will speak some English, it is highly unlikely they will speak English at anywhere near a native ability, and they will probably have trouble understanding native speakers in a social setting.
Speak clearly and avoid idioms. Japanese speakers are keyed to certain distinct sounds, and similar-sounding words, unclear words, or words spoken in a dialect can be difficult for them to discern. Of course, don't speak slowly in a loud voice as this would be condescending and rude. The student will want to learn idioms, but take it slow.
Write things down. Your exchange student may not be able to understand everything you say, but he will more than likely be able to read what you write.
Show, don't tell, when familiarizing the student with the house. To avoid unfortunate or embarrassing misunderstandings, show the student while you explain things. Japanese students have studied a lot of English for travel, school and business. Unfortunately, they study very little about common household tasks such as 'hang the laundry,' 'turn down the TV,' or even 'lock the door.'
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