Japanese culture study in classroom

Another issue that may affect whether variation is presented in the classroom regards the students' own goals and purposes for taking Japanese. Of the three respondents who answered, Junna gave the most comprehensive answer:

Generally speaking, they, especially the novice level students, seem to study Japanese either because they are Anime-otaku [literally "animation fanatics] or they would like to have a Japanese girlfriend/boyfriend. In terms of the intermediate/advanced students, they seem to learn Japanese either because they have Japanese girlfriends/boyfriends or because they are fascinated by the Asian culture (but Chinese language is difficult to learn so take Japanese) or because they pursue Japan-related carrier. Many of these people major in Japanese studies including literatures, history, etc.

Most of her points (anime, carrier orientation, in also mentioned by Hiroko and Rieko. However, only Rieko Most of her points (anime, carrier orientation, interest in culture) Most of her points (anime, carrier orientation, in culture) were also mentioned by Hiroko and Rieko. However, only Rieko mentioned the point that Most of her points (anime, carrier orientation, interest in culture) were also mentioned by Hiroko and Rieko.

However, only Rieko mentioned the point that I feel may be the most important, at least in terms of the lower level (100 - 202) students: the two year language requirement at the University of Hawaii at Manoa. Although other interests are certainly influential in the students' decisions to take Japanese, I wonder how many of the students would actually enroll in Japanese courses if they were not required to take at least four semesters of a foreign language.

In my own experience teaching JPN 101 for one semester as a practicum student (in Fall 2003), out of a class of 17, only two students expressed interest in Japanese beyond the second year level; one was a graduate student in the philosophy department who was interested in Japanese Buddhist philosophy, and the other was a sophomore of Japanese descent. These two students are currently in third year Japanese. I am uncertain (and doubtful) that any of the other students from that class continued on beyond the required four semesters.