STUDENT INTERVIEW: Chris McLaughlin (AIJP)

Chris McLaughlin

Declan: Thank you for taking the time.
Chris: No problem.
Declan: When did you start studying at Yamasa?
Chris: Now lets see. About 8 months ago, so April.
DM: Student visa?
CM: Initially on two tourist visas but then I changed to the student visa from October.

DM: When you started were you a beginner or did you already have some studies under your belt?
CM: I had taken a year in college as well as coming to SILAC twice, 2 and 3 years ago.
DM: So when you entered AIJP which class did you start in?
CM: J class.
DM: In the beginner curriculum?
CM: Yes. When I started my placement was chapter 14 or thereabouts of the Minna no Nihongo text.
DM: What did you find difficult when you returned to Japan in terms of the language?
CM: I didn't use much Japanese for a year or more, so my spoken skills had really deteriorated and my kanji skills were pretty poor.
DM: Did you have to review much of what you had already covered in SILAC?
CM: I needed to review a fair bit of Minna no Nihongo but found that the review process was really useful.
DM: So which class are you in now?
CM: H class.
DM: What text book are you using as the main text in the group lessons.
CM: The first book of the new approach series.
DM: And how many people are there in the class at the moment?
CM: 12, I think. Yeah 12.

DM: Where are the other students from?
CM: Umm, well there are 3 girls from Taiwan, 2 other guys from America, an English guy, a French guy, a Korean girl, a Filipino girl, and then there is a girl from Spain.
DM: Its always encouraging when the language quotas actually work. So are you happy with the mix?
CM: Yeah its a pretty good class.
DM: And is it what you were expecting?
CM: I didn't think it would be as varied, so yeah its better than I thought it would be.

DM: How has the attendance rate been holding up as the JLPT gets closer and the weather colder?
CM: A few absences leading up to the exam, but holding relatively steady. And a few late comers in the morning when its cold and wet.
DM: How many teachers do you have in the team? 4 or 5?
CM: There are 4.
DM: Who? I know the teachers always remember your names, but do you remember their's???
CM: Nie-sensei, Hirano-sensei, Miki-sensei and errrmmm.....
DM: Aritaki-sensei.
CM: Yes.
DM: Quiz time. What is the family name of "Miki-sensei"
CM: Errmmmmm....
DM: Homework for you. Which is the tannin-sensei?
CM: Nie sensei is.
DM: Have you needed to consult with her at all?
CM: I have had some problems with remembering how to write some of the kanji, but other than that no problems with the classes or teaching.
DM: Is it good having a male teacher like Hirano-sensei in your team?
CM: Yes. For the guys in the class its good.
DM: Is it re-assuring?
CM: Thats not a word I would use.
DM: But is it?
CM: Well, yes.

DM: What made you decide you wanted to study Japanese?
CM: After completing my studies at Yamasa I want to study Japanese history in graduate school so I'll need to be able to read original documents, speak to people in fieldwork.
DM: What I meant was what was it that initially sparked the interest in the Japanese language?
CM: About 3 years ago my cousin had decided that he wanted to come to Yamasa but didn't want to come by himself.
DM: And did he come?
CM: Yeah, don't you remember Siwat Vilassakdanont?
DM: Ummm, if you can spell that for me my database will....

(Declan looks up file and sees photo of student who looks very similar to Chris)

DM: Does he still study Japanese?
CM: Haven't spoken to him for some time about studies so I'm not sure. But I'm going to Thailand during the winter break so I'll find out then.

DM: Now I know you can speak Thai fluently, did you live in Thailand? Or did you learn Thai from your mother and visits?
CM: I lived there for extended periods of time. Usually about 5 or 6 months at a time when I was younger. I went to school there as well sometimes which helped too.
DM: Has being bilingual in English & Thai been of any assistance in language acquisition with Japanese?
CM: Yes and no. It helped me in terms of trying not to think in English when putting into practise the grammar we learn here, and to read the Japanese for meaning rather than translate it. I mean no matter how good a translation is it is still a translation, so yeah I think it has helped, in terms of concentration.

DM: OK. Now which accommodation did you stay in when you did the two SILAC stints?
CM: When I first arrived I was in one of the very large guest rooms at the end of the corridors in the student village for 1 week, and then I moved to Residence U.
DM: Single?
CM: Yep. In a single.
DM: And the second time?
CM: That time I was in the student village for the 3 months.
DM: Single?
CM: Yes.
DM: How was that? Especially when compared to Residence U?
CM: It was good yes. But for long term studies this year it has been nice to have my own apartment.
DM: Where did you move into in April?
CM: The student village again actually, I was shortlisted for an apartment but had to wait. And then I was able to move to Residence Hane when it opened in June.
DM: There are a few options to choose from in Hane, did you get the room you wanted?
CM: Yes I got my first preference.
DM: Which one?
CM: Type A with a covered balcony at the end on the first floor.
DM: Pretty good for privacy?
CM: Yeah its pretty decent. Occasionally I've had people on the 2nd floor of the student village talking to me when I was sitting outside on my balcony, but if I'm inside with the curtains closed its my own world.

DM: What hobbies do you have or other things that have kept you busy when not studying?
CM: Apart from drinking in the bar?
DM: Yes.
CM: Well, every so often some friends and I will go and play airsoft up at the sony park.
DM: Is that actually a park?
CM: No but the security guards don't seem to mind and sometimes watch as well.
DM: These are the gas powered bb guns right?
CM: Electric ones too.
DM: And err, what do you pack, so to speak?
CM: Got a fairly decent arsenal going at the moment.
DM: Is there any particular favorite piece?
CM: I recently bought an airsoft sniper rifle...
DM: And have you shot anybody with it?
CM: During some of the games I've gotten a few people.
DM: Now I hope these toys will never be seen on campus...
CM: Never on campus, and locked up when not in use.
DM: Of course.
CM: Of course.

DM: Any other hobbies?
CM: Well I played baseball every so often when it was warmer, and soccer sometimes as well. Went barhopping with Japanese friends, went to clubs and things.
DM: Any travel?
CM: Sometimes a bit of sightseeing as well, but that costs a bit more money.
DM: More than barhopping?
CM: Yeah, I mean when we went to Mount Fuji, the physical cost was far more than I would spend in a bar.
DM: Yes.
CM: Plus Fuji was very cold and miserable, and a bar is nice and warm.
DM: Any other travel other than going to Mount Fuji?
CM: I've been to Nagoya more times than I can count. And to Gamagori every so often on my motorbike.
DM: Where did you buy the bike?
CM: I told gakuseika that I was interested in buying a scooter and they showed me a place that had used motorbikes at very good prices.
DM: Where?
CM: On other side of the JR tracks, not sure of the name, I just know where it is.
DM: What did you get?
CM: I got myself a 101cc, or it might be a 126cc motorscooter. A Honda.
DM: One you don't need the license for?
CM: Yeah I just use my international driving permit.
DM: So you can ride that until September then
CM: Yes. 1 year from the start of my current visa.

DM: Can I ask you what your plans are for after you finish at Yamasa?
CM: I'm applying for graduate school to study Japanese history.
DM: Which school?
CM: I'm hoping to get into the University of Illinois.
DM: That is where you are from?
CM: Yes. Its about half price because I live in the state.
DM: When will you find out the result?
CM: Thats a good question. Probably sometime in January or February.
DM: OK, good luck with that.
DM: Thank you.

DM: Now are you going to be sitting for the JLPT this weekend?
CM: Yes. Level 3.
DM: Should be fairly easy for you.
CM: I hope so.
DM: Are you fairly confident?
CM: Yes. I'm basically doing level 3 to familiarise myself with the exam format and then I'll probably do level 2 next year.
DM: OK. Well good luck and thank you for the interview.
CM: thank you.

Return to top of page