Japanese Learner Language

A Japanese language learner must be able to use Japanese in unrehearsed communication. Being able to judge the accuracy of Japanese sentences, or memorize, recite and understand a small set of Japanese sentences does not prepare a learner for spontaneous communication.

A learner who really knows the language can exchange information using Japanese in unrehearsed communication, with a degree of accuracy, complexity and fluency that increases over time.

Japanese language teachers can understand the development of Japanese learner language in their own classrooms using basic techniques from second-language acquisition research. The following six units feature video-clips of Japanese learner language produced by two second-year learners in unrehearsed communication activities. Each unit shows you how to analyze Japanese learner language from a different perspective, and consider ways you can support its development:

• Learners - Individual difference
• Error Analysis
• Interlanguage
• Interaction
• Reference
• Complexity

We include a full set of transcribed videos of both learners, and an annotated bibliography of published research on Japanese learner language, if you want to go deeper in your background reading.