Elementary and secondary school students in Glasgow, Scotland, are showing increasing interest in the Japanese language as a direct result of a soccer player — Celtic midfielder Shunsuke Nakamura.
Japanese will be recognized as one of the optional foreign languages to be included in examinations that students will take at the completion of their compulsory education at 15 from the academic year starting in September.
Nakamura, 29, popularly known as "Naka," has had a big impact since arriving at Celtic, scoring a vital free kick in their famous victory over Manchester United in the European Champions League in November 2006 and contributing to the team's securing three consecutive Scottish Premier League titles. He was named the Scottish league's outstanding player last season.
Tony Russell, director of the Celtic Learning Centre, established by Celtic in May 2006 at the club's facilities on the outskirts of Glasgow, said Nakamura is idolized by children for his soccer skills and added there is a growing desire among people in the city to study Japan and its language.
Celtic was established in 1887 at a time when Glasgow was growing as an industrial city and with a view to helping alleviate the poverty of the working classes, many of whom had come from Ireland. Catholic priests played a central role in the team's establishment, and against this historical background Celtic maintains a high awareness of its charitable activities.
The learning center generally offers dancing, personal computer and foreign language courses. Last summer it assembled a group of elementary school students and gave them three lessons in Japanese. The reaction was favorable and in March the course was expanded to target secondary school students with the aid of the municipality.
