An interview with Professor Yoshimura, who teaches Armenian at Tokyo University of Foreign Studies

―　I am sincerely grateful for　accepting the invitation. At fiest, please tell me about the Armenian language program at Tokyo University of Foreign Studies.

―　Armenian is offered as an elective subject at Tokyo University of Foreign Studies.　An elective subject is a non-primary subject; for example, it is offered as a third language to students studying French or Russian.

― For how many years do you teach Armenian in Japan?

― It has been 24 years since I started teaching Japanese at Tokyo University of Foreign Studies.

― As far as I know, you were the first Japanese person to start teaching the Armenian language in Japan, weren’t you?　Are there currently any other teachers besides you who teach Armenian?

―　Yes, I am. Although she does not teach it professionally, Hamada Kare from the University of Tokyo studies Armenian religion and is capable of teaching the Armenian language.

―　But is it mostly religion?

― Yes, she is researching religion. And Ms.Hamada mainly communicates in Russin.

―Up to what level have you had teaching experience so far?

― At Tokyo University of Foreign Studies, I teach　the most fundamental Armenian grammar and vocabulary. However, the Tokyo University of Foreign Studies also offers an open course attended by graduate students, students from other universities, and working professionals from the general public. And that open course for working adults includes Armenian language classes.　Here you will learn beginner level　basics, then move on to elementary and middle school level grammar, which is a bit more difficult.　Moving on to the intermediate level—well, these are some accessible explanations regarding the Armenian language. In other words, I teach at three levels.

―　For what purposes do Japanese people use the Armenian language?

―　I think it stems from a linguistic interest.　As for the open courses for working adults, there are those who, for instance, want to visit Armenia or make Armenian acquaintances.

―　About how many students have you taught?

―　The number of undergraduate students varies from year to year, but it usually consists of five to six individuals.

―　Where and how are the students currently applying the Armenian language knowledge they acquired from their teacher?

― Of course, for travel, and also after marrying with Armenian.

― Have you noticed any trends in the demand for Armenian language education, which is your area of expertise?

― Currently, due to the global situation—and particularly because Armenia neighbors Iran—traveling to Armenia has become daunting, and naturally, the number of people wishing to study there has declined.

―　Thank you so much for sharing your valuable insights with us today.

― Thank you, too.