英語学習コラム2回目は「留学」をテーマに考えます。英語を勉強する多くの人は、将来海外で勉強したいと考えているでしょう。高校生の皆さんから「大学に留学制度はありますか？」「どこに留学するのがよいですか？」「費用はいくらくらいかかりますか？」など多くの質問を受けます。こうした質問は別の機会にお答えするとして、今回はもっと根本的な問題、つまり、「なんのために留学するのか？」というテーマでお話します。実はこの問いこそが大切なのですね。もちろんコラムで紹介する情報は、私個人の意見であり、それが正しいというわけではありません。あくまでも参考意見として聞いてください。
This is the second English column, and this time the theme is "studying abroad". Many people who study English hope to study overseas in the future. I often receive questions from high school students, such as: “Does your university have study abroad programs?” “Which country is the best place to study?” and “How much does it cost?”
I will answer these practical questions on another occasion. In this column, however, I would like to focus on a more fundamental issue—why do you want to study abroad? This question is actually the most important one.
Please note that the ideas shared in this column are my personal opinions, and they are not necessarily the correct answers. I hope you will read them simply as one possible perspective.
□ 留学で英語力がつく？
さて、留学をすると英語力がつくのでしょうか。私の答えは「はい」です。ただ、どれくらい英語力がつくかは本人次第です。どこの大学でも同じですが、長期留学（4ヶ月〜8ヶ月）をしても「ネイティブ・スピーカーのように英語が上手になった」ということはありません。残念ですが事実です。言語習得の観点から言えば、20歳前後の人が1年間の留学で母語話者の英語力を獲得することは通常ありません。母語話者のようになるには遅すぎるのです。また、留学前にTOEICで400点台の人が、帰国後に900点台に跳ね上がったという話もあまり聞きません。このような話をすると絶望的になりますね。現実的な話をすると、留学期間中も基礎的な学習（語彙・文法・読解など）を続けて、その上で現地の人と英語を毎日使っていると、ある程度の伸びが期待できるというところです。留学に夢物語を抱くのはお勧めしません。
Does Studying Abroad Improve Your English?
So, does studying abroad really improve your English ability? My answer is yes. However, how much your English improves depends largely on you.
At any university, even if students take part in a long-term study abroad program (about four to eight months), it is very rare for them to become “as fluent as a native speaker.” Unfortunately, this is a fact. From the perspective of language acquisition, it is not common for people in their early twenties to acquire native-level English ability, even after studying abroad for a full year. In that sense, it is already too late to become a native speaker.
You also do not often hear stories of students whose TOEIC scores suddenly jump from the 400s before studying abroad to the 900s after returning to Japan. Hearing this may feel discouraging. However, let us look at the situation realistically.
If you continue basic study—such as vocabulary, grammar, and reading—during your time abroad, and at the same time use English every day with local people, you can expect steady and meaningful improvement. That is the reality. For this reason, I do not recommend having unrealistic dreams about studying abroad.
□ 留学は何のために？
それでは何のために留学をするのでしょうか。1つは、自分の勉強次第である程度は英語力が伸びるからです。現地で生活をしていると日本で習った意外な表現がよく使われていることに気づきます。たとえば、アメリカなどでは歩いているとよく "Do you have the time?" と聞かれることがあります。「え？時間がある？どういうこと？」
"Do you have the time?" ➡ "What time is it?"
時間があるかを聞いているのではなくて、「何時ですか？」という意味です。今ではほとんどの人がスマートフォンを持っているので、人に時間を聞くことも少なくなりましたが、自分が習った表現をとっさに処理する経験を通して英語力が身につきます。日本にいると教室外で英語で尋ねられることはありませんが、海外では常に「英語モード」になっているので、自分の英語知識を直ぐに使える準備をしておかなけれなりません。これが結果として英語力に繋がるのです。
もう1つ大切なことは、「異文化に触れる」ことです。これが留学の成果です。英語の勉強だけなら日本でできますが、異文化に触れるのは海外での生活経験がものを言います。国によって時間の流れが違います。人が歩く速さが違います。食べ物が違います。生活習慣が違います。マナーも違います。夜が明けて日が暮れる時間も違います。こうした経験ができるというのが、留学のメリットです。つまり、留学の意味は「体験」にあるのです。
Why Do We Study Abroad?
So, what is the purpose of studying abroad? One reason is that, depending on how seriously you study, your English ability can improve to a certain degree.
When you live overseas, you begin to notice that expressions you learned in Japan are actually used quite often in real life. For example, when you are walking in the street in the United States or other countries, someone may ask you, “Do you have the time?” You might think, “Do I have time? What does that mean?”
“Do you have the time?” → “What time is it?”
The speaker is not asking whether you are free, but what time it is. Today, since most people have smartphones, asking someone for the time has become less common. Still, through these moments—when you must quickly understand and respond to expressions you have learned—your practical English ability develops. In Japan, people rarely ask you questions in English outside the classroom. Overseas, however, you are always in “English mode,” and you must be ready to use your English knowledge immediately. This constant readiness leads to improvement in your English skills.
Another important purpose of studying abroad is experiencing different cultures. This is one of the most valuable outcomes of studying abroad. You can study English in Japan, but experiencing different cultures depends greatly on living overseas. Time flows differently from country to country. People walk at different speeds. Food is different. Daily habits are different. Manners are different. Even the times when the sun rises and sets are different. Being able to experience these differences is a major advantage of studying abroad.
In short, the true value of studying abroad lies in experience.
□ 留学をサポートします
国際英語学科（国際キャリア学部共通）では、留学の準備から留学中のケア、そして帰国までを学科が責任を持って支援します。ここが他大学と大きく異なる点かもしれません。留学中はトラブルがつきものです。小さなトラブルは自分で解決しますが、難しい問題は学科と留学先大学とで協議して問題解決のサポートをします。したがって、安心して勉強に集中できるのです。また、留学中には隔週で英語のレポートを学科に提出します。つまり、何を勉強して、どのような事が起こったかという近況レポートです。このレポートを書くことで英語力がついてきます。レポートは学科のアドバイザーが読んで、簡単なアドバイスをすることもあります。留学の満足度が高いのは、こうしたサポートがあるからです。留学は「Study Abroad」という正規の科目ですから、当然単位が与えられ、長期留学をしても卒業が遅くなることもありません。また、留学中の奨学金もあります。
以上が、国際英語学科（国際キャリア学部共通）の留学制度です。しっかり学べば、結果は Priceless! これは「価値がない」という意味ではなくて「値段がつけられないほど貴重だ」という意味です。皆さんも国際英語学科で挑戦してみませんか？ （コラム担当：細川）
We Support Your Study Abroad Experience
In the Department of English as a Global Language (shared by the Faculty of International Career Development), we take full responsibility for supporting students throughout the entire study abroad process—from preparation before departure, to care during the program, and all the way through their return to Japan. This may be one of the major differences between our department and many other universities.
Problems and difficulties are a natural part of studying abroad. Minor issues are handled by students themselves, but when more serious problems arise, the department works together with the host university to support students and help resolve the situation. Because of this system, students can focus on their studies with peace of mind.
During their stay abroad, students are also required to submit an English report to the department every two weeks. These reports describe what they have been studying and what has been happening in their daily lives. Writing these reports helps students steadily improve their English skills. Department advisors read the reports and may offer brief advice or comments. This kind of support is one reason why students report a high level of satisfaction with their study abroad experience.
Study abroad is an official course titled “Study Abroad,” so students earn academic credits. Even if they participate in a long-term program, their graduation will not be delayed. In addition, scholarships are available for students while they are studying overseas.
This is the study abroad system offered by the department. If you study seriously, the results are priceless—not “worthless,” but so valuable that no price can be put on them. Why not take on this challenge with us in the Department of English as a Global Language?
(Column contributor: Hosokawa)
