Table 2 Japanese proficiency of respondents (n = 182)

Japanese speaking ability

S1: Can make speeches and debate

9

4.9

S2: Can do simultaneous and conference interpretating

10

5.5

S3: Can hold daily conversations

52

28.6

S4: Can hold simple conversations

73

40.1

S5: Cannot speak it at all

35

19.2

Japanese reading ability

R1: Can understand newspaper editorials and reviews

8

4.4

R2: Can understand general newspaper articles

11

6.0

R3: Can understand an overview of information from newspaper headlines

15

8.2

R4: Can read simple Japanese characters

100

54.9

R5: Cannot read it at all

43

23.6

Japanese proficiency

Advanced^a

32

17.6

Intermediate^b

39

21.4

Beginner^c

104

57.1