Paper short abstract:

This presentation argues that to increase the current state of Japanese language teaching in Portugal one needs to fostering capacity building of Japanese language teachers and stresses the importance of constructing a collaboration system among European countries teaching Japanese language.

Paper long abstract:

This presentation reports the present situation of Japanese language teaching in Portugal from three points of view: education type, teachers and learners. Based on the interviews with teachers of Japanese language in Portugal, it was found the need to fostering capacity building of teachers in Portugal and to build a collaboration system among European countries teaching Japanese. Other findings are as follows: There is no specialized Japanese research center or institution in Portugal. Universities, institutions, or organizations hold most of Japanese language teaching. There are few at private language schools. The Japanese language classes over 10 years are held in five cities and their surroundings, but in recent years other regional organizations are also opening Japanese class. There is no C level class in any institution. Although individual teachers outside of institution do exist with the learners levels of vary from A1 to C. Given the lack of Japanese language teacher's many teachers teach in more than one institution. Another finding is that teachers of Japanese are mostly native Japanese speakers whose teaching experience varies from less than 1 year to more than 20 years; most of them started teaching Japanese in Portugal without specific teaching skills. Although there is no Japanese Teacher Association, there is a community that holds seminars and speech contests for learners. Further, the largest number of Japanese language learners belongs to universities or their institutions, and the number of learner who is learning Japanese with individual teachers is at least one third of institutions' learners. All the Japanese classes are opened for the learners with more than 15 years old. There is no Japanese language education as a foreign language for young people and children growing in multiple languages environments. Therefore, it can be said that gradually Japanese education for adults is taking root in Portugal. Unfortunately, there is no place for teacher training and teacher development with limited places available where teachers can discuss about existing teaching problems. Hence, the necessity of collaboration between Portugal and other European countries in Japanese language education.