The views and beliefs of Persian-speaking Japanese as a foreign language learners concerning the learning and teaching of kanji

Document Type : research article

Authors

1 Department of Japanese Language and Literature Department, University of Tehran Tehran, Iran

2 Department of Japanese Language Teaching, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran

Abstract

Learning kanji and language learners' beliefs regarding learning kanji are the most challenging matters in the field of Japanese language teaching. Learning kanji is particularly difficult for non-kanji using language learners who are studying Japanese outside of Japan. Since learning is influenced by the educational environment and personality of language learners, by examining the beliefs of language learners about kanji learning, and analyzing these beliefs, it is possible to achieve educational methods appropriate to those particular language learners. Therefore, a questionnaire study was conducted on Japanese language learners at the University of Tehran in order to analyze the beliefs and knowledge of Persian-speaking Japanese language learners about kanji learning and teaching. After analyzing the data by descriptive method and with the help of inferential statistics, the results showed that Iranian language learners consider kanji a great obstacle in learning Japanese, but on the other hand, strongly believe that the better they will learn kanji, the more they will be successful in the Japanese language. Basic language learners value kanji "reading", but advanced language learners place a greater emphasis on kanji "meaning". Furthermore, Iranian language learners firmly believe that learning kanji should be done independently of classroom-based learning and that Japanese literature should be used extensively in kanji instruction. The findings of this study can be used to support the teaching of kanji to language learners in areas where kanji are not used, particularly Persian-speaking learners.

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Main Subjects

References

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Journal of Foreign Language Research
Volume 12, Issue 4
February 2023
Pages 393-415

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