Fundamental study to support community participation of foreign parents

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 21K13044
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 02090:Japanese language education-related
• Research Institution: Osaka Ohtani University
• Principal Investigator: Sugimoto Kaoru 大阪大谷大学, 文学部, 准教授 (50760823)
• Project Period (FY): 2021-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 外国人保護者 / 保育所・幼稚園 / コミュニティ参加 / 多文化共生 / 日本語教育支援 / 日本人保護者 / フォーカス・グループ

Outline of Final Research Achievements

This study aimed to elucidate what the barriers are for foreign parents to participate in the preschool community and how they can connect with Japanese parents. A focus group survey was conducted with 5 groups of 20 foreign parents. In addition, a questionnaire survey was conducted with 137 Japanese parents. From the narratives of the foreign parents, we learned that entering preschool itself is difficult, that preschool life is not a problem once they get used to it, that they wish to improve their Japanese language skills for the sake of their children and work, and that it is difficult to relate with Japanese parents regardless of their Japanese language skills. On the other hand, Japanese parents were positive about helping foreign parents with their problems and were willing to get involved if they had the chance.

Free Research Field

日本語教育学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

外国人住民が社会参加するためには、日本語教育が欠かせないものであるという認識は広がってきているが、日本語を母語としない外国人保護者に対する日本語教育支援の必要性は顕在化しておらず、研究も限られている。未就学児を持つ保護者にとって、園は子育て生活において親同士が知り合う重要な場となる。コミュニティ参加の障壁は何か、つながりを生み出すには何が必要なのかを今回の調査から知ることができたので、日本語教育支援の方法を検討する基礎となる。