Transient Linguistic Tides: Willingness to Communicate in Japanese Among Study Abroad Students (80021)
Session Chair: Asami Nakayama
Monday, 15 July 2024 09:15
Session: Session 1
Room: Room D (Live-Stream)
Presentation Type:Live-Stream Presentation
This study investigates the impact of short-term study abroad (SA) programmes on Japanese learners of English, focusing specifically on whether such experiences can sustain learners' motivation over time. The study combines quantitative and qualitative approaches to capture the overall trend within the group and to explore the individual reasons behind changes in motivation. From a quantitative perspective, the Motivational Factors Questionnaire (Ryan, 2009) was administered to participants at three pivotal moments: before the study abroad (SA) program, within a month after its conclusion, and a year later, with participant number 33, 30, and 24, respectively. Analysis of the ANOVA results indicated a significant increase in willingness to communicate in Japanese (WTCJ) during the SA, followed by a decrease a year later. Additionally, qualitative insights were gained from interviews with 5 participants, illuminating the social dynamics among Japanese students and their interactions with non-Japanese speakers. These interviews suggested that a shared linguistic and cultural identity might enhance communication comfort during the SA. Nonetheless, a decline in WTCJ upon returning to Japan was observed, attributed to changes in social contexts and individual priorities. This study emphasises the necessity of considering social and individual factors to understand language communication in SA programmes. It offers insights into the complexities of personal, cultural, and environmental influences on language use and communication preferences. It provides a comprehensive view of how short-term SA experiences affect learners' motivation for English learning.
Authors:
Asami Nakayama, Gifu University of Medical Science, Japan
About the Presenter(s)
Ms Asami Nakayama is a University Assistant Professor/Lecturer at Gifu University of Medical Science in Japan
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