The purpose of this case study is to explore the unique role of volunteers in supporting Japanese as a Second Language (JSL) students in push-in services. One of the main characteristics of Japanese school culture is to encourage all students to behave in the same manner, despite their different backgrounds and needs. From a JSL student’s perspectives, adhering to this classroom norm is inherently difficult. The study is conducted by the author as a JSL volunteer, based on a year-long field work placement in a classroom, and an interview with a Japanese public elementary school teacher. The analysis reveals that interactions between a JSL student, a teacher, peers, and a volunteer, as well as the Japanese classroom norms, influence the effect of push-in services. Firstly, the type of support a teacher and peers provide to a JSL student varies, based on the student’s linguistic and academic needs and interactions with a volunteer. Additionally, peers show interest in teaching Japanese to a JSL student when they see a volunteer assisting the student. Secondly, a teacher’s and peers, cooperative attitudes disappear when they think a JSL student is going against the classroom norm of conformity, and push-in services are also restrained. In this case, the level of a JSL student’s Japanese language understanding is not taken into account. Moreover, a JSL student refuses to receive push-in services in front of a teacher in order to adhere to the ideal classroom rules. In conclusion, the important role of volunteers in providing a comfortable space for JSL students to share their feelings and needs in Japanese classrooms is discussed.
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