Localization of EIL in Kumamoto: Linguistic Auditing as a Vehicle Judy Yoneoka （ Faculty of Foreign Languages, Kumamoto Gakuen University)

ＯＵＴＬＩＮＥ  What is linguistic auditing?  Why Kumamoto?  The 2 year plan: a preliminary report on student work  How does the project connect with learner autonomy?

Linguistic Auditing Process (Huhta 2002)

Businesses advertising “ language audits ” In Europe …  Modular BULGARIA  Pimentel Communications International NETHERLANDS  International House SPAIN, ROMANIA  Finer English GERMANY  Verbatim Language training UK And Elsewhere …  Langua-Edge Solutions, Inc. CANADA  Bridge-Linguatech Language Services USA  Lexicon Consulting Limited, PHILIPPINES  Korean Language Services, KOREA

Linguistic Auditing in Japan Honna, N. et al. (2006) Working Group Language Auditing AND Communication Auditing (cross-cultural communication, politeness strategies, listening strategies, ability to formulate and share opinions, etc.) = Linguistic Auditing

Linguistic Auditing in Kumamoto For the students ….and for Kumamoto Kumamoto Gakuen University (previously Kumamoto University of Commerce) Institute of Business and Management Institute of International Affairs English department students 1.Most come from Kumamoto 2.Most stay in Kumamoto 3.For most, their goal is to work using English in Kumamoto

For Kumamoto: connection with local government aims  1. Kumamoto as a tourist town –In 2003, Kumamoto declared itself a tourist town –3-year plan ( ) to develop tourism –400 year anniversary of Kumamoto Castle  2. Kumamoto as the heart of Kyushu –Kyushu Bullet Train to be completed in 2012  3. Kumamoto as an international town –UD and the 4-language plan

ＵＤ Manual (available online)

Tourists in Kumamoto Domestic （ ） International （ ＋ ） ＝ The proportion of international tourists has risen from 1% to almost 3% of the total

Where do the international tourists come from? (2005 data) Korea 59 % Taiwan 22 % USA5% Unknown4% Other Asia2% China2% Hong Kong2% Other Europe1% Germany1% UK1%

THE KUMAMOTO LINGUISTIC AUDIT  partially funded by a grant from the Institute of Business and Management, Kumamoto Gakuen University –Stage 1A Survey of local tourist businesses: hotels, sightseeing spots, transportation, information centers, etc. –Stage 1B Survey of foreign residents, visitors and potential visitors (esp. from Korea and China) –Stage In-depth study of selected business(es) and implementation of language strategies

Student-based Research  Information Needs of foreign residents in Kumamoto  Linguistic Needs of potential Korean visitors to Japan and Kumamoto  Linguistic Needs of Kumamoto: 5 travel agencies, 3 gift shops, 4 sightseeing information centers, 2 bus companies, 17 hotels, 2 International Conferences, 2 communities  Promoting the Kumamoto and San Antonio sister-city Relationship

Preliminary findings  Most Kumamoto residents needed more information on shopping and transportation.  Most Koreans have heard of Kumamoto, never been there, but would like to go if cost and language needs were met.  Every tourist related industry felt the need for more ability in English and most (but not all) for Korean  Needs were highly enterprise-specific  Aids are available but not useful/used  Enterprise-based support is minimal –Only one of 17 hotels supported language classes as part of business training

Specific needs  specific solutions  travel agency I. about 3-5 foreign customers a week, most of the employees can communicate in English; one Chinese. BUT they have no written information in other languages at all. =If they make information available in foreign languages, it will help to attract foreign customers.  travel agency W. about 2 foreign customers everyday. BUT only one employee can speak English. =If most of the people at the counter could speak English, they could give the service that the customers want. Since they get many foreign customers so far, every employee at the service counter needs to improve his or her English.  travel agency J. no foreign customers BUT 4 people speak English, one Chinese. =I propose that they advertise that they can speak English and Chinese. This travel agency needs more advertisement for foreign customers.

Setting the stage for the second year (1): targets The Three Travel Agencies The Suizenji Gift Shops Tourist Information Agency C: Moved recently to a high- profile location HOTEL A In Aso, has 1600 foreign visitors a month, 70% are Korean (most likely on tours) but only one employee speaks Korean HOTEL B In Amakusa, has only 1-2 foreign visitors a month. HOTEL C In downtown Kumamoto, has 90 visitors a month, 70% are Western. Has two employees who speak English

Setting the stage for the second year (2): tools and resources Development and compilation of appropriate tools and resources: 1)Translate the “ Can do ” statements into Japanese for linguistic profiling 2)Development of business-appropriate diagnostic tools e.g. Checklist for intercultural episodes 3) Compilation of local resources, e.g. the UD manual, telephone interpreting services, etc.

“ Out of the ivory tower and onto main street ” Glocalization of EIL  Connection with Community 5 students participated in Minamata International Conference Summer students participated in Suizenji Machi Tsukuri Tourism Development project Summer students interned at the local city mayor ’ s office Autumn 2006  A chance to fine-tune future career expectations