Profile of Japanese studies program in universities and colleges in Metro Manila

This paper aims to determine and present the profile of Japanese Studies Programs (JSP) at universities or colleges in Metro Manila focusing on their history, courses and activities, faculty, clients and problems. Primarily, this study will concentrate in the objectives of the establishments, courses and activities offered, profile of Japanese language teachers and their teaching methods, profile of the students and their reasons for taking up the course, and the problems encountered by the administration of universities or colleges regarding the program, faculty, students, facilities and study materials. The researchers employed the descriptive approach because the study required a description of the profile of Japanese Studies Programs in universities or colleges. The students were surveyed to be able to know their courses, nationality, occupation and reasons for taking up the course. The teachers were also surveyed to be able to identify their highest educational attainment, preparation for teaching Nihongo and methods in teaching the language. On the other hand, the administration of these institutions were interviewed to be able to know the history, courses and activities offered, profile of faculty, profile of student, and problems encountered. After gathering data from five universities or colleges, five important results were achieved. First, the main objective for establishing JSP in these institutions is to promote a better understanding of Japan as a whole. Second, upon finishing the final level of Nihongo, a student will be able to read, write and speak Japanese, and there are other Japan related courses offered to learn more about Japan. Third, the requirement for qualifying teachers is at least to finish a degree in college the faculty uses different teaching methods for the language to be acquired effectively. Fourth, the students are mostly Filipinos, are either undergraduates or professionals interested in Japan, and learning its language and perceiving the many job opportunities so they have taken up the course. Fifth, the main problem encountered is the unavailability of teachers. The others are on the lack of enthusiasm of students and incomplete facilities for the program