山口県における青少年海外派遣事業を通した中高生の異文化理解の促進について : 英語圏への姉妹都市派遣研修プログラムについて

A Study for Intercultural Understanding Through Youth Overseas Training Programs in Yamaguchi Prefecture : Focusing on English summer programs in sister cities for junior high and high school students

Creators Kimura Masayuki

Creators Iwano Masako

本研究は、山口県内の自治体で行われている姉妹都市交流のなかから中高生の海外派遣事業に焦点を当て、夏季期間中に実施される英語圏への研修プログラムに参加した生徒の異文化理解の変化について明らかにすることを試みたものである。山口県では、2017年現在、15の市町が21の青少年海外派遣事業を行っている。中国、韓国への派遣や小学生対象とするものを除くと、英語圏への中高生派遣は14市町の14事業である。これらのなかから、本研究ではアメリカへ派遣する3市、オーストラリアへ派遣する3市の研修プログラムを取り上げ、中高生の異文化理解の変化について、先行研究を参考とした質問紙調査等を派遣前後に実施した。短期間の異文化接触であるが、中高生の異文化理解に関する意識や態度には変化がみられ、特に事前事後学習を含めた研修内容の充実度が影響を与えていることがわかった。プログラムには計画から実施にいたる主催者側の準備があり、姉妹都市の相手側市町や受け入れるキーパーソンにより、内容が左右される。青少年海外派遣事業は市町の予算がかかるが、若者の異文化理解促進に大きな影響を与えており、これらが継続されていくためには、個人の異文化理解促進への効果測定にとどまらず、経年的な成果の集積や、山口県内の市町全体が報告を共有することも必要であると考える。

This research focused on summer programs to English speaking countries for junior high and high school students who participated in sister city exchange projects planned by their local governments located in Yamaguchi prefecture, with an aim to clarify the degree to which their intercultural understanding and attitudes changed through such programs. In 2017, there are 21 Youth programs conducted in 15 cities and towns in Yamaguchi, of which 14 are targeted to their sister cities in English speaking countries, excluding those for China and Korea and for much younger children. This study selected 3 programs sending students to the USA and another 3 programs to Australia, in order to measure differences within such students in understanding other cultures. Questionnaires were distributed to them before and after their trips. As a result,it was found that the summer programs were effective in improving intercultural understanding amongst Japanese students, despite the relatively short-term cross-cultural contacts.The study examined the amount of time consumed for preparation and implementation of such programs by the planning bodies of each local authority, and also it was found through interviews that the content and success of such programs depended on the commitment and competence of the hosting partners and keypersons in sister cities. Summer programs cost a lot and require large budgets. The central issue is one of accountability, on the basis of appropriate program evaluation methods and open access to information regarding outcomes and outputs of youth programs. To evaluate whether to continue programs, it was thought that efforts should be made, not only to measure the effects on individuals in promoting their understanding of different cultures, but also to examine the effects of each individual program as a whole, and also the totality of English summer programs conducted within Yamaguchi in order to open up its youth to the potential and benefits of a global outlook.

[ISSN]2189-4825