What difficulties do Vietnamese students encounter when learning Japanese?

Volunteers from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) recently held an annual meeting to promote the development of Japanese language education in Vietnam. The program took place over two days (July 10 and 11) at Da Lat University, Lam Vien Ward - Da Lat, Lam Dong Province.

Psychology of being afraid to talk to foreigners

Here, 8 JICA volunteers involved in Japanese language teaching activities, along with 12 Vietnamese Japanese language lecturers working at universities in Vietnam - who are also colleagues who coordinate with JICA volunteers every day in Japanese language teaching hours, analyzed the common difficulties Vietnamese students encounter when learning Japanese.

PHOTO: JICA

12 Vietnamese Japanese language lecturers are currently teaching at the following schools: University of Social Sciences and Humanities - Vietnam National University, Hanoi, University of Foreign Languages - Vietnam National University, Hanoi, Hanoi University, Hai Phong University, Quy Nhon University, University of Foreign Languages - Hue University, University of Foreign Languages - Danang University and Dalat University.

JICA volunteers said that each university where they work has different teaching materials, curricula, Japanese textbooks, or training objectives. However, the common problem is that students encounter some difficulties in Japanese conversation classes. Common problems include students being shy in communication, having poor pronunciation, or being afraid to talk to foreigners. Japanese volunteers also noticed that students' motivation to learn Japanese in Vietnam is reduced to some extent during the process of learning Japanese, especially when studying at a higher level.

To make Japanese classes more interesting

What are the solutions to the above problems? JICA volunteers and Vietnamese Japanese language teachers held a workshop to share experiences and knowledge to improve the quality of conversation classes. At the same time, they found solutions to increase the attractiveness of the class, how to evaluate and give conversation tests, and how to increase students' motivation to learn Japanese. Typical cases were also studied to draw lessons.

Japanese language education is one of the areas that JICA's Volunteer Dispatch Program focuses on supporting. Currently, JICA is dispatching 10 volunteers specializing in Japanese language education to work in Vietnam.

PHOTO: JICA

Mr. Kobayashi Yosuke, Chief Representative of JICA Vietnam Office, emphasized JICA's commitment to continue supporting Vietnam in developing Japanese language education and contributing to Vietnam's socio-economic development through local grassroots activities of volunteers.

The JICA Volunteer Dispatch Program in Vietnam was started in 1995 and this year 2025 marks its 30th anniversary.

The first three Japanese volunteers dispatched (in 1995) were volunteers in the field of Japanese language teaching, assigned to Hanoi National University, Foreign Trade University and Hanoi University of Foreign Languages.