| Name | Tang Bin |
|---|---|
| Country | China |
| Year / month of graduation | September 2019 |
| Degree obtained | Doctor of Philosophy |
| Position / organization as of March 2021 |
Lecturer / Beihang University |
This article was written in March 2021.
Why did you choose Japan, and Hiroshima university for your study?
I chose Japan for my study for I major in Japanese linguistics. My dream is to be a Japanese teacher in a university. Learning in a Japanese-speaking environment can significantly elevate my language skills, which is an exclusive requirement for a qualified teacher. The best way to study a second language is to be involved in the places where we can intensively learn the language. Therefore, I decided to study abroad at Hiroshima University (HU). When I traveled to Hiroshima several years ago, I thought it’s an excellent place for its calm and relaxed atmosphere is good for focusing on my study. Also, HU is a comprehensive university and provides us with lots of convenience to engage in our research.
What did you learn and study at Hiroshima university?
I learned a higher proficiency of my research skills from my supervisor and became fluent in Japanese. For example, I mastered how to analyze a corpus to find the disciplinary tendency of learners’ errors and then use the theory of contrastive linguistics to explore the errors. My doctoral dissertation was centered on the topic of Chinese-Japanese learners’ misuse of conjunction words. I aimed to discuss how and why Chinese-Japanese learners misused Japanese conjunctions. I also expected to find a better method to teach Japanese grammar to students who study Japanese as a second language in China. Through the three-year experiences of studying in Japan, I found more differences between Chinese and Japanese languages. I learned how Japanese people use the conjunction words by interacting with them and learned vivid Japanese by experiencing Japanese culture.
What I learned in my daily life could considerably help me with conducting my research. For example, it surprised me when my Japanese friends always used “それに(soreni)” to talk with me, for previously, I had thought it was a conjunction word used exclusively in the written language. If I had not communicated with Japanese people in my daily life, I would not have known such a natural language phenomenon.
Did you enjoy your stay in Hiroshima?
My most unforgettable memory in Hiroshima is that a car accident made me helpless in my second year at HU. Although it was compulsory, the driver never escaped but helped me in kind ways, such as calling the police and ambulance immediately. At the same time, my supervisor and my graduate school staff gave me full support for the subsequent insurance. There were some serious troubles when I dealt with the insurance company. However, my supervisor and the staff arranged meetings with the company to fight for my rights. My colleagues in the same students’ room took turns to drive me home and bring meals for me every day. I realized that I was in a big family and I was not on my own.
Please tell us your current work. Does what you learned or studied at Hiroshima university help you?
I am a lecturer at Beihang University and teach the Japanese language. What I learned at HU helped me become a good teacher. In my teaching, my dissertation’s findings are so contributive that my students learn the grammatical differences between Japanese and Chinese languages that cause grammatical errors. In my Ph.D. dissertation, I researched Japanese-Chinese grammatical differences that can lead Chinese students to misuse Japanese grammar when learning Japanese. I try to introduce a better way to teach Japanese as a second language to Chinese learners. I was also impressed with the attitude of the teachers who treat every student with love.
For teachers, it is most important to find effective ways to encourage each student to engage in their learning through our support. Interacting with Japanese teachers was one of the great learning experiences for me. Now, I also do my best to be a good teacher like these teachers I met at HU. Additionally, I learned how to teach the Japanese language to international learners who are beginners of Japanese. Chinese teachers, influenced by their native language, may unconsciously teach Japanese in Chinese ways of thinking. What I learned from Japanese teachers can be very helpful when teaching Japanese in my work.
Do you recommend Hiroshima university for others to choose?
HU is the most suitable place to study. We can get many books necessary for our study in HU libraries. There are five libraries in HU; especially there are three main libraries at the Higashihiroshima campus where I studied. Besides, the teachers there are knowledgeable and approachable, and your thirst for knowledge will be surely satisfied. HU is also a beautiful place to live. The cherry blossoms flying in the sky in spring and the brilliant maple leaves in autumn will become the scenery you don’t want to miss. Why don’t you come to Hiroshima University and start your journey of discovery from here?
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