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＜Elementary＞ Lesson No.20
Negotiating Expansion of Japanese Language Training for Foreign Employees / 外国人従業員の日本語研修制度拡充交渉
０．Greetings & Ice-break (2min.)｜挨拶と導入
0-1 Greetings
Let’s practice a short small talk that you can use to greet a business partner and start building a good relationship.
講師との挨拶を兼ねて、ビジネスパートナーと信頼関係を築くための短いスモールトークを練習してみましょう。
[Tips / 会話のヒント]
・Can you hear me clearly?
私の声はクリアに聞こえますか？
・How's your day going so far?
今日はどんな一日でしたか？
・Talk about one small topic (Work, Weather, News, Hometown, Sports event, etc.)
軽い話題について話しましょう（仕事、天気、ニュース、地元、スポーツイベントなど）
0-2 Introduction
In today’s lesson, we’ll learn about the following situation. Have you ever experienced something similar?
本日のレッスンでは以下のようなシチュエーションについて学びます。同様のシチュエーションを経験したことがありますか？
- If you have experience, please tell us what it was like, what was difficult, or what you learned.
経験があれば、どんな内容だったか、難しかったことや学んだことなどを教えて下さい。
- If you don’t have experience, try to imagine yourself handling that situation in English.
What do you think would be challenging?
経験がなければ、英語でその状況に対応しているところを想像してみましょう。どんなことが難しそうですか？
Situation / シチュエーション
A discussion between HR and management about securing budget approval for expanding Japanese language training programs for increasing foreign employees.
外国人従業員増加に伴う日本語研修制度拡充について、投資効果を説明し経営陣から予算承認を得るため人事部が説明する場面です。
1. Read (2 min)｜型を学ぶ
Let's read the following key sentences aloud!
下記の文章や単語を順番に音読しましょう！
1-1 Basic phrases
１．Our analysis shows that...（私たちの分析では...が示されています）
２．Let me explain the long-term return...（長期的なリターンについて説明させてください）
３．We already considered that option（その選択肢はすでに検討しました）
４．This will reduce the cost by...（これにより費用を...削減できます）
５．I will prepare a full report that includes...（...を含む完全なレポートを準備します）
６．We will track these numbers monthly...（これらの数値を毎月追跡します）
７．I appreciate your flexible approach...（柔軟なアプローチを評価します）
1-2 Essential words
１．increase（増加）
２．explain（説明する）
３．improve（改善する）
４．reduce（削減する）
５．provide（提供する）
６．deliver（提供する）
７．consider（検討する）
８．prepare（準備する）
９．include（含める）
１０．appreciate（評価する）
2. Try (3 min)｜ロールプレイ練習
Let’s practice the role-play.
ロールプレイの練習をしましょう！
Situation / シチュエーション（Reference again）
A discussion between HR and management about securing budget approval for expanding Japanese language training programs for increasing foreign employees.
外国人従業員増加に伴う日本語研修制度拡充について、投資効果を説明し経営陣から予算承認を得るため人事部が説明する場面です。
👨💼【Teacher / CFO】:
Thank you for coming today. I understand you need a significant budget increase for the Japanese language training program. Could you explain why this expansion is necessary right now?
（本日はお越しいただきありがとうございます。日本語研修プログラムの予算を大幅に増やす必要があるとのことですが、なぜ今この拡充が必要なのか説明していただけますか？）
🧑🎓【Student / HR Manager】:
Our foreign employee numbers increased by 40 percent this year, and many of them struggle with daily communication in Japanese. This language barrier is causing delays in project work and reducing team productivity. We need to provide proper training to improve their work efficiency.
（今年、外国人従業員数が40パーセント増加し、その多くが日常的な日本語コミュニケーションに苦労しています。この言語の壁がプロジェクト業務の遅延を引き起こし、チームの生産性を低下させています。業務効率を改善するために適切な研修を提供する必要があります。）
👨💼【Teacher / CFO】:
I understand the situation, but the budget request is 3 times larger than last year. We have limited resources, and other departments are also asking for more funding. How can you justify this large increase?
（状況は理解しましたが、予算要求は昨年の3倍です。私たちのリソースは限られており、他の部署も追加資金を求めています。この大幅な増額をどう正当化できますか？）
🧑🎓【Student / HR Manager】:
Let me explain the long-term return on this investment. Our analysis shows that language training will reduce communication errors by 30 percent and speed up project completion by 2 weeks on average. This means we can deliver more projects per year and improve client satisfaction. The training cost will pay back within 18 months through increased productivity.
（この投資の長期的なリターンについて説明させてください。私たちの分析では、言語研修によりコミュニケーションエラーが30パーセント減少し、プロジェクト完了が平均2週間早まることが示されています。これは年間でより多くのプロジェクトを提供でき、顧客満足度を向上させることを意味します。研修費用は生産性向上により18か月以内に回収できます。）
👨💼【Teacher / CFO】:
The return sounds reasonable, but I am still concerned about the upfront cost. Are there any ways to reduce the initial expense? For example, can we use online training instead of hiring more instructors?
（リターンは妥当に聞こえますが、初期費用についてはまだ懸念があります。初期費用を削減する方法はありませんか？例えば、講師を増やす代わりにオンライン研修を利用できませんか？）
🧑🎓【Student / HR Manager】:
Yes, we already considered that option. We can start with a blended approach that combines online lessons with monthly in-person sessions. This will reduce the instructor cost by 25 percent while keeping the training quality high. We can also schedule the program in 2 phases, starting with 60 employees this quarter and the remaining 40 employees next quarter. This spreads the budget across 2 quarters.
（はい、その選択肢はすでに検討しました。オンラインレッスンと月次の対面セッションを組み合わせたブレンド型アプローチから始めることができます。これにより研修の質を高く保ちながら講師費用を25パーセント削減できます。また、プログラムを2段階でスケジュールし、今四半期に60名の従業員から始め、次の四半期に残りの40名を実施することもできます。これにより予算を2四半期に分散できます。）
👨💼【Teacher / CFO】:
That approach makes more sense from a budget perspective. However, I need you to prepare a detailed cost breakdown and show me the expected productivity improvement for each phase. Can you provide that report by the end of this week?
（そのアプローチは予算の観点からより理にかなっています。ただし、詳細なコスト内訳と各段階での期待される生産性向上を示していただく必要があります。今週末までにそのレポートを提出できますか？）
🧑🎓【Student / HR Manager】:
Absolutely. I will prepare a full report that includes the cost breakdown, expected outcomes, and a comparison with other training options. I will also include feedback from department managers about the current language challenges their teams face. This will help you see the real impact on daily operations.
（もちろんです。コスト内訳、期待される成果、他の研修オプションとの比較を含む完全なレポートを準備します。また、各部署のマネージャーから、チームが直面している現在の言語課題についてのフィードバックも含めます。これにより日常業務への実際の影響をご理解いただけます。）
👨💼【Teacher / CFO】:
Good. Please also include a plan for measuring the training results after 6 months. I want to see clear evidence that this investment is working before we approve the second phase budget.
（良いですね。6か月後の研修結果を測定する計画も含めてください。第2段階の予算を承認する前に、この投資が機能しているという明確な証拠を見たいと思います。）
🧑🎓【Student / HR Manager】:
Understood. I will add a measurement plan with specific indicators such as project completion time, error rates, and employee satisfaction scores. We will track these numbers monthly and report progress to you. If the first phase shows positive results, it will support the case for continuing the program.
（承知しました。プロジェクト完了時間、エラー率、従業員満足度スコアなどの具体的な指標を含む測定計画を追加します。これらの数値を毎月追跡し、進捗状況をご報告します。第1段階で良好な結果が出れば、プログラム継続の根拠となります。）
👨💼【Teacher / CFO】:
Perfect. I appreciate your flexible approach and willingness to work within our budget constraints. Once I receive your report and review it with the executive team, we can make a final decision. Let me know if you need any support from my side.
（完璧です。柔軟なアプローチと予算制約内で対応しようとする姿勢を評価します。レポートを受け取り、経営陣と検討した後、最終決定を下すことができます。私の側からサポートが必要であればお知らせください。）
3. Use (4 min)｜ロールプレイ & 実践（空欄補完）
Let's perform the role-play and fill in the blanks by translating the Japanese into English!
空欄の日本語を英語に訳しながら、ロールプレイを実践してみましょう！
Situation / シチュエーション（Reference again）
A discussion between HR and management about securing budget approval for expanding Japanese language training programs for increasing foreign employees.
外国人従業員増加に伴う日本語研修制度拡充について、投資効果を説明し経営陣から予算承認を得るため人事部が説明する場面です。
👨💼【Teacher / CFO】:
Thank you for coming today. I understand you need a significant budget increase for the Japanese language training program. Could you explain why this expansion is necessary right now?
🧑🎓【Student / HR Manager】:
Our foreign employee numbers ［増加］d by 40 percent this year, and many of them struggle with daily communication in Japanese. This language barrier is causing delays in project work and reducing team productivity. We need to ［提供する］ proper training to ［改善する］ their work efficiency.
👨💼【Teacher / CFO】:
I understand the situation, but the budget request is 3 times larger than last year. We have limited resources, and other departments are also asking for more funding. How can you justify this large increase?
🧑🎓【Student / HR Manager】:
Let me ［説明する］ the long-term return on this investment. Our analysis shows that language training will ［削減する］ communication errors by 30 percent and speed up project completion by 2 weeks on average. This means we can ［提供する］ more projects per year and ［改善する］ client satisfaction. The training cost will pay back within 18 months through increased productivity.
👨💼【Teacher / CFO】:
The return sounds reasonable, but I am still concerned about the upfront cost. Are there any ways to reduce the initial expense? For example, can we use online training instead of hiring more instructors?
🧑🎓【Student / HR Manager】:
Yes, we already ［検討する］d that option. We can start with a blended approach that combines online lessons with monthly in-person sessions. This will ［削減する］ the instructor cost by 25 percent while keeping the training quality high. We can also schedule the program in 2 phases, starting with 60 employees this quarter and the remaining 40 employees next quarter. This spreads the budget across 2 quarters.
👨💼【Teacher / CFO】:
That approach makes more sense from a budget perspective. However, I need you to prepare a detailed cost breakdown and show me the expected productivity improvement for each phase. Can you provide that report by the end of this week?
🧑🎓【Student / HR Manager】:
Absolutely. I will ［準備する］ a full report that ［含める］s the cost breakdown, expected outcomes, and a comparison with other training options. I will also ［含める］ feedback from department managers about the current language challenges their teams face. This will help you see the real impact on daily operations.
👨💼【Teacher / CFO】:
Good. Please also include a plan for measuring the training results after 6 months. I want to see clear evidence that this investment is working before we approve the second phase budget.
🧑🎓【Student / HR Manager】:
Understood. I will add a measurement plan with specific indicators such as project completion time, error rates, and employee satisfaction scores. We will track these numbers monthly and report progress to you. If the first phase shows positive results, it will support the case for continuing the program.
👨💼【Teacher / CFO】:
Perfect. I appreciate your flexible approach and willingness to work within our budget constraints. Once I receive your report and review it with the executive team, we can make a final decision. Let me know if you need any support from my side.
4. Challenge (7 min)｜応用実践
Let's perform the role-play and fill in the blanks by translating the Japanese into English!
空欄の日本語を英語に訳しながら、ロールプレイを実践してみましょう！
*Let's practice this part repeatedly until we can speak it smoothly.
このパートはスムーズにスピーキングできるようになるまで繰り返し練習しましょう。
Situation / シチュエーション（Reference again）
A discussion between HR and management about securing budget approval for expanding Japanese language training programs for increasing foreign employees.
外国人従業員増加に伴う日本語研修制度拡充について、投資効果を説明し経営陣から予算承認を得るため人事部が説明する場面です。
👨💼【Teacher / CFO】:
Thank you for coming today. I understand you need a significant budget increase for the Japanese language training program. Could you explain why this expansion is necessary right now?
🧑🎓【Student / HR Manager】:
Our foreign employee numbers increased by 40 percent this year, and many of them struggle with daily communication in Japanese. This language barrier is causing delays in project work and reducing team productivity. We need to provide proper training to improve their work efficiency.
👨💼【Teacher / CFO】:
I understand the situation, but the budget request is 3 times larger than last year. We have limited resources, and other departments are also asking for more funding. How can you justify this large increase?
🧑🎓【Student / HR Manager】:
［この投資の長期的なリターンについて説明させてください。］ ［私たちの分析では、言語研修によりコミュニケーションエラーが30パーセント減少し、プロジェクト完了が平均2週間早まることが示されています。］ This means we can deliver more projects per year and improve client satisfaction. The training cost will pay back within 18 months through increased productivity.
👨💼【Teacher / CFO】:
The return sounds reasonable, but I am still concerned about the upfront cost. Are there any ways to reduce the initial expense? For example, can we use online training instead of hiring more instructors?
🧑🎓【Student / HR Manager】:
Yes, ［その選択肢はすでに検討しました。］ We can start with a blended approach that combines online lessons with monthly in-person sessions. ［これにより研修の質を高く保ちながら講師費用を25パーセント削減できます。］ We can also schedule the program in 2 phases, starting with 60 employees this quarter and the remaining 40 employees next quarter. This spreads the budget across 2 quarters.
👨💼【Teacher / CFO】:
That approach makes more sense from a budget perspective. However, I need you to prepare a detailed cost breakdown and show me the expected productivity improvement for each phase. Can you provide that report by the end of this week?
🧑🎓【Student / HR Manager】:
Absolutely. I will prepare a full report that includes the cost breakdown, expected outcomes, and a comparison with other training options. I will also include feedback from department managers about the current language challenges their teams face. This will help you see the real impact on daily operations.
👨💼【Teacher / CFO】:
Good. Please also include a plan for measuring the training results after 6 months. I want to see clear evidence that this investment is working before we approve the second phase budget.
🧑🎓【Student / HR Manager】:
Understood. I will add a measurement plan with specific indicators such as project completion time, error rates, and employee satisfaction scores. We will track these numbers monthly and report progress to you. If the first phase shows positive results, it will support the case for continuing the program.
👨💼【Teacher / CFO】:
Perfect. I appreciate your flexible approach and willingness to work within our budget constraints. Once I receive your report and review it with the executive team, we can make a final decision. Let me know if you need any support from my side.
\ If you have some extra capacity, give it a try（余力があればやってみましょう）/
5. Real-world application (5 min)｜実務応用
Let's speak freely with the phrases and flow we learned today. If you can, imagine your real job—it makes practice more effective.
本日学習した単語やフレーズ、会話の流れを思い出しながら、自由に話してみましょう。可能であれば、自身の実務を想像しながら話すと効果的です。
Situation / シチュエーション
Your company has many foreign employees who need Japanese language training, but the budget is limited.
You need to explain the training benefits and propose a cost-effective plan to the CFO.
あなたの会社には日本語研修が必要な外国人従業員が多数いますが、予算は限られています。
CFOに研修の効果を説明し、費用対効果の高い計画を提案する必要があります。
👨💼【Teacher / CFO】:
I received your budget request for the language training program. Can you explain how this investment will benefit our company?
（言語研修プログラムの予算要求を受け取りました。この投資が当社にどのような利益をもたらすか説明していただけますか？）
🧑🎓【Student / Your Role】:
(Free Speaking based on today's lesson)
Hints / ヒント
１．Explain the productivity improvement（生産性向上を説明する）
２．Describe the cost reduction approach（コスト削減アプローチを述べる）
３．Present the phased implementation plan（段階的実施計画を提示する）
４．Offer measurement indicators（測定指標を提示する）
※This is not a role-play. Please speak until you finish your thoughts.
このパートはロールプレイ形式ではありません。最後まで通して話してみましょう。
6. Wrap-up (2 min) ｜レッスンの振り返り
Let's review today's lesson with your teacher!
今日のレッスンについて講師と振り返ってみましょう！
6-1 Comments from student
・Good points / 良かったところ・上手くできたところ
・Things to work on / 今後強化したいところ
6-2 Feedback from teacher
・Good points / 良かった点
・Things to work on / 今後の強化ポイント
・What to review / 復習ポイント
*6-3 Questions from student (if any)
Japanese translation（日本語訳）
1. Read (2min)（型を学ぶ）｜基本フレーズ
2. Try (4min)（ロールプレイ練習）｜型を使った練習
Let’s practice the role-play.
ロールプレイの練習をしましょう！
3. Use (7min)｜応用
Let’s perform the role-play and filling in the missing English!
英語を補完しながら、ロールプレイを実践してみましょう！
4. Challenge (7min)｜実践
Let’s perform the role-play and filling in the missing English!
英語を補完しながら、ロールプレイを実践してみましょう！
5. Wrap-up (3min) – レッスンの振り返り
"Let’s review today’s lesson with your teacher!”
「今日のレッスンについて講師と振り返ってみましょう！」
5-1. Comments from Student
- Good points / 良かったところ・上手くできたところ
- Things to work on / 今後強化したいところ
5-2. Feedback from Teacher
- Good points / 良かった点
- Things to work on / 今後の強化ポイント
- What to review / 復習ポイント
5-3. Question from Students (If any)
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