Can Specified Skilled Workers Build Japanese Skills at the Facility? Communication with Service Users

When accepting Specified Skilled Workers, language ability is what facility staff worry about most.
In today's society, many people are not comfortable with English, so they worry that even if foreign nationals come, they will be unable to communicate because they cannot speak the language.

At the author's facility, workers from Myanmar come, and Myanmar's official language is Burmese.
You may wonder at first—none of the facility staff, including the author, understood it.
In addition, because the facility is in a regional area, many service users speak with strong dialects, which was another concern.

Here, I would like to focus on whether Specified Skilled Workers' Japanese ability is sufficient and whether they can communicate adequately with service users.

A Certain Level of Japanese Ability and Skills Is Required

Specified Skilled Workers need a certain level of Japanese ability and skills to work.
This is measured through Japanese language tests.
Passing the Japanese-Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) N4 or higher, or the Japan Foundation Test for Basic Japanese, plus the Nursing Care Japanese Language Evaluation Test is required, and these must be obtained.
At an everyday conversation level, work can proceed without major problems.
In addition, the Nursing Care Japanese Language Evaluation Test covers industry-specific terminology, so reading records and completing post-hire training should go smoothly.

Providing Opportunities to Study Japanese

They must continue studying Japanese after joining the company, and at that time facilities are required to provide opportunities as mandatory support.

However, this is the provision of opportunities, not the provision of instruction, so the facility does not need to instruct staff to tutor Japanese study; it remains an opportunity only.
For example, it may involve introducing a nearby Japanese language class, obtaining enrollment pamphlets, or accompanying the worker when needed.

Communication with Service Users

Even after clearing the language barrier, the greatest concern is communication with service users. Some service users are particular or use difficult language, and whether that can be understood was a question. At the author's facility as well, everyday conversation was generally fine at first, but
making small talk was difficult.

The content of communication is wide-ranging. In small talk especially, questions come up about TV programs, seasonal events, and more, but understanding that much Japanese culture is difficult and takes time.
For that reason, at our facility we ask workers to note down anything they do not understand or are unsure about in response to questions, and not to answer on the spot but to ask other staff.