Development of Japanese Language Teaching Materials Based on Activity-Based Learning with A Communicative Language Teaching Approach for Vocational Training Participants

Abstract

This study examines how grammar-focused practices in vocational training institutes (LPKs) impair learners' communicative ability despite the Japanese Specified Skilled Worker (SSW) program. The study seeks to produce CLT-based activity-oriented Japanese teaching materials, assess their feasibility through expert validation, and test their effectiveness in improving speaking ability. This study's focus on LPK trainees as apprenticeship prospects and authentic, interactive assignments to improve communicative speaking abilities is innovative. This study was motivated by students' low communicative engagement in Japanese language practice and the need for materials that show communicative activities at vocational training institutes. Analyze, Design, Develop, Implement, and Evaluate comprise the ADDIE development model. The CLT technique was used to create and develop the instructional materials, emphasizing structural, quasi-communicative, functional communication, and social interaction learning activities. Learning media, Japanese language, and learning design professionals examined the instructional materials for viability. We then evaluated with interviews and questionnaires. The pretest-posttest findings of 17 LPK Kokorono Siji students were used to test effectiveness using N-Gain testing. The Japanese teaching materials were "feasible" according to the feasibility test results, which averaged 2.83 (learning media), 3.60 (material), and 3.22 (learning design). The average N-Gain score of 0.45 (moderate criteria) indicated that the teaching materials improved learning outcomes. This proves the instructional materials are successful for occupational Japanese language acquisition. The findings show that activity-based Japanese teaching materials using a CLT method for trainees at this vocational training institution are practicable in content, media, and learning design and improve communicative skills. Thus, vocational training institutions can incorporate these instructional materials into Japanese language learning.