Pre-reading questions:
- Would you be interested in working abroad? Please explain your answer.
- What are the challenges of working away from your family/home country?
Around 600 young Vietnamese students are studying Japanese language and culture to brace themselves as technical interns in Japan. Most of the students hail from rural areas of Vietnam. The majority of foreign workers in Japan are Vietnamese since Vietnam promotes export of labor to provide employment to its citizens. Workers also learn Japanese language and customs from government-approved organizations.
Despite the multiple benefits of this project, many foreign interns suddenly disappear upon dispatch. Some companies committed labor violations such as non-payment of wages so trainees end up fleeing. Other interns have difficulty in maintaining their lifestyle because of living expenses so they usually return to Vietnam. Interns also stated that studying while working is not enough to cover their tuition fees and other expenses.
Vocabulary:
brace [verb] – prepare oneself
intern [noun] – a student gaining practical work experience
export [verb] – to send or transmit to another place or another country
hail [verb] – be a native of
dispatch [verb] – send away towards a specific goal
violation [noun] – the process or an act of violating a law
Comprehension Questions:
- How many Vietnamese students study Japanese?
- Why did Vietnamese students study Japanese language and culture?
- What did the companies commit?
- Why did the interns have difficulty in maintaining their lifestyles?
Express Your Opinion:
- Do you think the project between Vietnam and Japan is beneficial? Please explain your answer.
- Do you think maintaining lifestyle overseas requires hard work? Please explain your answer.
- What do you think about foreign workers in your country? Please explain your answer.
- What do you think about the natives of your country working abroad? Please explain your answer.
- What do you think are the benefits of studying a different language and culture? Please explain your answer.