Involvement & Advocacy
A Parents’ Guide to Helping Their Children Succeed

Why Japanese?
Learning Japanese can have both short and long term benefits
through the introduction and acquisition of a new culture. In theshort term, your children can look forward to unique activities
relating to a new culture such as Japanese, which may be very
different from their own. Fun and exciting classroom activities will
motivate children to learn and embrace new ideas and concepts. In
addition, children will develop improved learning skills in the areas ofconcentration, memorization and comprehension. The end result of a
successful Japanese language education is a sense of selfconfidence
and pride, acquired by the learner, which they may not have hadbefore.

© JNTOLonger term, children will acquire important values through the studyof Japanese. These can include persistence and respect for othercultures, important values in Japanese culture. Acquiring fluency inforeign languages, especially ones that are very different fromEnglish, allows children to understand their first language on a
deeper level because they are better able to analyze it more critically.
Learning one foreign language often has the unintended benefit ofsnowballing into the acquisition of a third or forth language within achild’s lifetime.
Potential lifelong opportunities are the most important long term
benefits of learning Japanese. Children who learn to speak Japanese
will have the advantage, when visiting Japan, of being able tointeract with local cultures in ways that the typical tourist cannot.
Japanese language facility will also enhance their ability to engage in
multicurltural friendships and exchanges. In the global community wenow live in, having the ability to speak a second language such as
Japanese can open many doors to educational and employment
opportunities. More importantly, it shows potential employers thatyour child is an intelligent, respectful and globallyconscious
individual.

Make sure to visit our website at http://www.jflalc.org ( select Advocacy )Involvement & Advocacy
A Parents’ Guide to Helping Their Children Succeed
What You Can Do toHelp Your Child Succeed
As a parent, you have the greatest influence on your child’slife. Your attitude and approach towards your child’s education
can have a great impact on their success. Below are ways you
can positively impact your child’s performance in Japanese.
1.

Show interest in their schoolwork

2.

Provide moral support

3.

Be Involved in extracurricular activities

4.

Attend cultural events

5.

Think of Japanese as an asset for your child

6.

Encourage them to speak

7.

Make sure they study regularly

8.

Check up on their progress with the teacher

9.

Think “Japanese is not difficult”

10. Visit Japan
11. Host a Japanese student

What You Can Do to Help Your Child’sJapanese Language Program Succeed
Great Japanese language programs do not stand on theirown—they are supported by a community of advocates whowant to see their school succeed and the students prosper.
Parent involvement is a key ingredient to the success of aprogram. Below are ways you can get involved and contributeto the success of the program, and ultimately your child.
1. Be vocal
2. Be involved
3. Give the teacher feedback
4. Donate to the school
5. Help with fundraising efforts© 2010, The Japan Foundation, Los Angeles