Introduction

In light of the wide range of current issues surrounding the teaching and learning of Japanese as a second (foreign) language, the Center for JSL [Japanese as a second language] Research and Information aims to gather information on JSL research being done inside and outside Japan and disseminate it online for global use, together with the outcomes of empirical studies carried out at NINJAL on non-native speakers' communicative abilities in Japanese.

Message from the Director

With the constant increase of learners of Japanese living in and outside Japan, the learners' needs for Japanese are becoming more diverse and more varied at schools, in society, and at workplaces. Under these circumstances, it is increasingly important, especially in Japan, with more and more people coming from non-Japanese speaking countries, to address the issues of what form Japanese teaching and learning should take to meet the demands of multicultural communities. By paying special attention to the fact that Japan is growing into a multilingual and multicultural society with a great number of international residents trying to acquire skills in Japanese, the Center will make broad contributions to both academic and practical issues involving JSL on the basis of new research projects that build on earlier research at this Institute.

Research and Education Staff

• USAMI Yo
• NOYAMA Hiroshi

• SHIMAMURA Naomi
• FUKUNAGA Yuka

• KAGEYAMA Taro
  (additional post)

• YOKOYAMA Shoichi
  (additional post)
• Timothy J. VANCE
  (additional post)
• Prashant PARDESHI
  (additional post)
• ASAHI Yoshiyuki
  (additional post)

Invited Scholars

• SAKODA Kumiko
• NODA Hisashi

Temporary Researcher

• NAKAUE Aki
  Senior Associate Researcher
• KINOSHITA Aiko
  Associate Researcher
• KONISHI Madoka
  Assistant Researcher
• NOHARA Yukari
  Assistant Researcher
• OKABE Mariko
  Associate Researcher
• KUROSE Keiko
  Associate Researcher
• SUGA Wakako
  Associate Researcher
• TAKEDA Satoko
  Associate Researcher
• YABE Mayumi
  Associate Researcher

• YOSHIDA Sachi
  Associate Researcher