Chapter 2. Towards the Enrichment and Spread of Culture
�6 The Global Spread of Japanese Language Education
2. For Learners of Japanese throughout the World
(2) Research and development regarding methods and materials for teaching the Japanese language
Various projects for the improvement of Japanese language teaching content and methods, as well as those for the development of appropriate teaching materials, have been actively undertaken by certain universities who center their Japanese language education around foreign students. The National Language Reserch Institute's Centre for Teaching of Japanese as a Foreign Language also conducts basic study concerning Japanese language education and develops various teaching materials. Another 6rganization is the Japan Foundation Japanese Language Institute. which carries out various projects, such as the planning and publication of Japanese language textbooks and the donation of teaching materials to Japanese language educational institutions abroad.
The Ministry of Education, Science and Culture, designates pilot institutes from among those who have experienced success in the field of Japanese language education, to study methods to improve contents and methods, to develop teaching materials and so on. The Agency for Cultural Affairs prepares various guide books about Japanese education's content and instruction methods; it also holds annual research councils for Japanese language teachers and liaison committees of representatives of Japanese language institutes for the purpose of improving the level of Japanese language education.
