Examining Learners' Further Investment in Japanese Learning through Study Abroad Experiences

Oct 15, 2026

Study examines further investment in Japanese language learning among Indonesian learners through study abroad experiences in Japan. Using Darvin and Norton’s investment framework, it analyzes learners’ oral and written narratives via identity, ideology, and capital. Findings show Japan study abroad functions as symbolic capital and enables gains in linguistic capital not available in home-country study. The study also highlights how ideologies shape Japanese institutional practices and educational policy, affecting learner positioning and creating both constraints and opportunities for learners.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages16

Reading Time40 min

AccessFree to download

Introduction

Literature Review

Study in Japan After the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake

OPEN ACCESS Australian Journal of Applied Linguistics ISSN 2209-0959 [https://journals.castledown-publishers.com/ajal/](https://journals.castledown-publishers.com/ajal/) Australian Journal of Applied Linguistics, 1 (1), 33-48 (2018) [https://dx.doi.org/10.29140/ajal.v1n1.8](https://dx.doi.org/10.29140/ajal.v1n1.8) Examining Learners' Further Investment in Japanese Learning through Study Abroad Experiences FATMAWATI DJAFRI a a Graduate School of International Culture & Communication Studies, Waseda University, Japan Email: [fatmawati.djafri@akane.waseda.jp](fatmawati.djafri@akane.waseda.jp) Abstract This study examined further investment in Japanese language learning from the perspective of Indonesian learners of Japanese through their study abroad experience in Japan. Employing a model of investment proposed by Darvin and Norton, the study analyzed learners ’ oral and written narratives, focusing on three key constructs, namely identity, ideology, and capital. Data analysis revealed that study abroad to Japan has become a symbolic capital, as well as a way for learners to gain benefits related to some aspects of their linguistic capital they were not able to acquire when studying Japanese in their home country. Study abroad in Japan also offered a new possibility for Japanese learners to get closer to their imagined identity they wish to realize in their imagined communities related to Japanese language. This study revealed how different ideologies have shaped Japanese language institutional practices and educational policies and how these have impacted on language learners as they position themselves within the contexts. It posed critical view on Japanese language education policy and planning with its double-edged ideologies which have created constraint and opportunity for learners. The study indicates the importance to rethink Japanese language education planning and policy from the perspective of language learners ’ investment on Japanese learning, in the era of globalization where student mobility across borders and boundaries is prevalent. Keywords: Japanese language education, study abroad, investment in language learning, Japanese language policy and planning, global student mobility Introduction The issue of international student migration has become a significant policy agenda worldwide (ADB Institute, 2014) . One reason is the significant growth in the number of international students since 2015, especially in the Asian region, which has led to increased competition in the international student market as an important economic factor. However, this also has brought on other important issues, namely the increased value of international students in the labor market and the potential of students ’exploitation in labor migration. Many countries have designed programs in order to attract international students to study and work in their host country, by allowing them to work during studies and by providing possibilities for changing their status after graduation to labor migrants (ADB Institute, 2014) . For instance, in Japan, as one of four OECD countries that has become the main destination for Asian students (ADB Institute, 2014) where English is not commonly used, prospective international students are given opportunity to learn Japanese and prepare for entrance exams to higher educational institutions through enrollment in Japanese language schools (Chiavacci, 2012) . Consequently, the massive influx of low-skilled, cheap laborers with student visas grew concurrently with the increasing number of Japanese language schools and rapid recruitment of students in the business sector (Chiavacci, 2012; Hennings & Mintz, 2015). This study will further elaborate on these issues by looking closely at the current situation in Japan from the perspective of Japanese language education. The next section will review the growth and current condition of international student mobility in Japan. Literatur

FAQs

What does the study investigate about Japanese language learning?

It investigates how Indonesian learners further invest in Japanese language learning through study abroad experiences in Japan.

Which analytical model and constructs does the study use?

It applies the investment model by Darvin and Norton and focuses on identity, ideology, and capital.

What key effects does study abroad in Japan have on learners?

It becomes symbolic capital and provides opportunities to gain aspects of linguistic capital that are hard to acquire in the home country.

Oct 15, 2026

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