【FILA】Back from Malaysia Japanese Language School!
Takuya Morimitsu (4th year)
What led you to work at a Japanese language school?
I worked as a Japanese Language Partner at a secondary school in Malaysia. The Japanese Language Partner program supports Japanese language teachers and students in Asia, offering support in Japanese lessons and introducing Japanese culture. At the time, there were openings in both Malaysia and Cambodia. I had previously studied in Malaysia for three weeks and had fallen in love with the country. After returning to Japan, I made friends with Malaysian students studying in Japan and joined a local Japanese language volunteer group. Those days were very fulfilling. Later, during job hunting, I remembered the Japanese Language Partner program that an Indonesian language teacher had taught me about, and I decided to apply. Though I was scared to take a path different from others, I felt that this job would allow me to use my experiences and passions, so I applied.
How was your experience at the Japanese language school?
Every day was very special. The students were truly honest and adorable. They always studied Japanese with great effort. As part of my job, I introduced Japanese culture, mainly teaching Japanese cooking and kimono dressing. I also served as the supervisor of a yosakoi team. Here, I taught the Japanese values of discipline and thoughtfulness. While I was happy to see their test scores improve, the most rewarding part was that the students, who initially didn’t clean up after cooking, eventually started preparing and cleaning up on their own. The school had 99.9% Muslim students, but I never felt lonely or faced discrimination. On the contrary, I was saved by their tolerance. Through conversations and experiencing their culture, I felt that they place great importance on relationships between people. At school, I learned both the challenges and joys of teaching Japanese language and culture, and outside of school, I learned the joy of connecting with local people through Malay. Although I was young and it was difficult to challenge myself with things that had no clear answer, I grew to love Malaysia even more. My dream now is to work as a Japanese language teacher in Malaysia.
How did your student life at FILA contribute to your experience at the Japanese language school?
The English skills I developed at FILA were truly valuable. I had no ability to speak English until high school, but at FILA, I was able to acquire practical English skills. This confidence made my challenges and life abroad easier. Fortunately, many people in Malaysia are fluent in English, so even though I didn’t speak Malay, I was able to communicate in English. Above all, the most fortunate thing was being part of Professor Sugimoto’s seminar. I consider this my greatest luck. In my third year, I was sent to Malaysia by Professor Sugimoto for a three-week study abroad, and I came to love Malaysia. After that, I became friends with Malaysian exchange students at Soka University. I learned about Malay and Islam from them. When interacting with Malaysians, I was able to use the language and cross-cultural understanding skills I learned at FILA. Thanks to Professor Sugimoto, I was able to work in Malaysia with a love for the country. Moreover, the friends I struggled alongside at FILA continue to support me. Even though we are far apart, I feel reassured that we are still connected. They are my role models.
Finally, a message to prospective students!
Please make sure to decide your own path! Parents and other adults may give you lots of advice about what is best or what you should do. But it doesn’t matter. They won’t take responsibility for your failures or misfortune. Instead of simply following their advice, use it as your own fuel. I know many emotions are swirling as you prepare for exams, but please don’t give up on yourself. Keep thinking about what you want to do. What you decide for yourself will always have value. If you feel uncertain, ask the people around you. And most importantly, cherish the people who listen to your story. If you can’t find anyone, *contact me. In this faculty, the door to the world will always be open for you. If you feel even the slightest bit of interest, please try. It is my wish that you carve out your own life. Please don’t give up and do your best until the end.
*For inquiries regarding the individual's contact information, please contact us at: filaoffice@soka.ac.jp
Takuya Morimitsu
Hometown: Fukuoka
Main Field of Study: Asian Economics
Supervisor: Professor Sugimoto
Favorite Phrase: Honest
Favorite Book: "To You Who Think 'It's Impossible'" by Tsutomu Uematsu
Hobbies: Guitar, Karaoke, Hot Spring Touring, Driving
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