語学留学か遊学か？ Language Study Abroad or Leisure Travel?

先日、新聞で投稿誌Wife編集長の記事（添付）を読み、同感できる点がありましたので、以下、投稿します。

“留学”という魅力的で、憧れる言葉を巧みに使ったビジネスがいくつかあります。

日本人の短期留学のほとんどは英語の語学留学、すなわち、英語だけの語学力習得のための留学です。短期ですから1年以内がほとんどです。

しかし、日本で行わなかったこと、できなかった英語の語学力習得が単に英語圏現地に短期間滞在することだけで達成できるほど外国語の習得は甘くありません。最低でも数年は必要です。

従って、ほとんどの語学留学の実態は遊学、遊びです。語学留学が異文化体験をいう言葉に置き換えられても、同じです。多くは語学留学業者の金儲けビジネスに乗せられているのです。

本当の意味での語学留学は、日本で事前に習得したそれまでの語学力を現地で確認、試して、更にその力を向上させることです。さもなければ、効果はありません。

これは約50年前、私が短期間アメリカのサンディエゴ州立大学（＊）に滞在した際、英語学習者のレベルと学習姿勢を目の当たりにして実感したことです。

（＊）サンディエゴ州立大学は後にNHKのテレビ英会話の講師として活躍された小川先生（山梨大学教授）にも遭遇した場所です。

なお、“留学”には広く深い意味があり、現地の言葉で現地の人と一緒に、同じ条件下で、数年以上の時間をかけて、専門的知識習得や学問を修めることであり、決して簡単なことではありません。

現在、私自身は、約60年の間、英語を自学しながら、地域での無料英会話道場と全国的な英検一級資格者ネットワーク参加者の方々からその真剣な学習態度と学習結果を多く教わっています。

尾道無料英会話道場：https://www.office-ktk.jp/%E5%B0%BE%E9%81%93ess-%E7%84%A1%E6%96%99%E8%8B%B1%E4%BC%9A%E8%A9%B1%E9%81%93%E5%A0%B4/

英検一級資格者ネットワーク：https://www.office-ktk.jp/%E8%8B%B1%E6%A4%9C%EF%BC%91%E7%B4%9A%E8%B3%87%E6%A0%BC%E8%80%85%E3%83%8D%E3%83%83%E3%83%88/

The other day, I read an article by the editor-in-chief of the magazine Wife in the newspaper (attached) and found points I could agree with, so I am submitting the following.

There are several businesses that skillfully use the attractive and aspirational term “study abroad.”

Most short-term study abroad trips by Japanese people are language study abroad programs focused solely on acquiring English language skills. Since they are short-term, most last less than a year.

However, acquiring English language skills that weren't learned or mastered in Japan isn't something that can be achieved simply by staying in an English-speaking country for a short period. Language acquisition isn't that easy. It requires at least several years.

Therefore, the reality of most language study abroad programs is leisure travel, or simply playing around. Even if language study abroad is rebranded as “cross-cultural experience,” the essence remains the same. Many are simply being taken advantage of by profit-driven language study abroad agencies.

True language study abroad involves confirming and testing the language skills acquired beforehand in Japan, then further improving those abilities while abroad. Otherwise, it is ineffective.

This is something I personally observed and felt during my own short stay in America about 50 years ago, witnessing the level and learning attitudes of English language students. San Diego State University (SDSU) is also where I encountered Professor Ogawa (Professor at Yamanashi University), who later became a prominent instructor for NHK's television English conversation program.

Moreover, “study abroad” carries a broad and profound meaning: it involves acquiring specialized knowledge or pursuing academic studies alongside locals in their native language, under the same conditions, over several years or more. It is by no means an easy endeavor.

For about 60 years, I have been self-studying English. Through local free English conversation dojos and participants in the nationwide network of Eiken Grade 1 certificate holders’ network, I have learned much about their serious learning attitudes and results.

Onomichi Free English Conversation Dojo: https://www.office-ktk.jp/%E5%B0%BE%E9%81%93ess-%E7%84%A1%E6%96%99%E8%8B%B1%E4%BC%9A%E8%A9%B1%E9%81%93%E5%A0%B4/

Eiken Grade 1 Qualification Holders’ Network: https://www.office-ktk.jp/%E8%8B%B1%E6%A4%9C%EF%BC%91%E7%B4%9A%E8%B3%87%E6%A0%BC%E8%80%85%E3%83%8D%E3%83%83%E3%83%88/