Working in Japan – Top Ten Misunderstandings

Teaching strategy​

• Help make newly arrived non-Japanese employees aware of Japanese communication styles: polite Japanese usage; Japanese body language, Japanese usage of English spoken and email
• Help students avoid misunderstandings: raise awareness of Japanese office customs, working styles, and meeting styles 
• Provide students with strategies for repairing misunderstandings
• Contrast lectures, discussions, and stand-up activities to make the day enjoyable

 

Schedule

• One-day seminar: 7 hours

 

• Opening

What is Culture? Culture we can see / Culture we can’t see; Culture and Language-Unconscious

Organization and Conditions => Cultures and Communication Styles

 

• Body Language Misunderstandings

Meaning ​                           Giving gestures different meanings

Power​                                Giving gestures stronger or weaker powers

Silence​                               Cultural differences in lengths of silences

Eye Contact​                       Cultural differences in lengths of eye contact

 

• Global English Misunderstandings

Meaning ​                            Japanese vs non-Japanese: same English-different meanings

Polite Power​                       Misunderstandings from Japanese English

Too Direct / Too Indirect    ​Misunderstandings from Japanese English email

Too Friendly / Too Distant​  Misunderstandings from Japanese English email

 

• Expected Way Misunderstandings

Social Customs​                  Expected behavior misunderstandings Japanese vs non-Japanese

Working Styles​                   Meeting styles, key phrases for working in Japanese offices

Name cards                        Students practice exchanging name cards: good first impression

 

Wrap up

Students have a list of Quick Tips to refer to on the back page of the booklet provided