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The Role of Instruction and International Communication in the Development of Humor Competency in a Foreign Language

Research Project

Project/Area Number 19K00909
Research Category

Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)

Allocation TypeMulti-year Fund
Section一般
Review Section Basic Section 02100:Foreign language education-related
Research InstitutionOkayama University

Principal Investigator

RUCYNSKI John  岡山大学, 教育推進機構, 准教授 (10512741)

Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha) Prichard Caleb  岡山大学, 全学教育・学生支援機構, 准教授 (10440306)
Project Period (FY) 2019-04-01 – 2023-03-31
Project Status Completed (Fiscal Year 2022)
Budget Amount *help
¥3,900,000 (Direct Cost: ¥3,000,000、Indirect Cost: ¥900,000)
Fiscal Year 2021: ¥1,170,000 (Direct Cost: ¥900,000、Indirect Cost: ¥270,000)
Fiscal Year 2020: ¥1,040,000 (Direct Cost: ¥800,000、Indirect Cost: ¥240,000)
Fiscal Year 2019: ¥1,690,000 (Direct Cost: ¥1,300,000、Indirect Cost: ¥390,000)
Keywordshumor instruction / humor training / verbal irony / cultural differences / humor competency / humor and social media / humor and SNS / humor and communication / online communication / online humor / humor in social media / humor in SNS / humor awareness / humor perspectives / humor and culture / humor and study abroad / humor comprehension / social interaction / humor differences / communication skills
Outline of Research at the Start

The research plan for the three-year period is to measure Japanese learners' of English ability to improve their understanding of the kinds of humor used in English-speaking countries. This will be measured through humor competency training, interviews with Japanese students who participate in study abroad programs in English-speaking countries, and a class on humor and cultural differences.

Outline of Final Research Achievements

During this project, we implemented a new research study designed to measure the effect of training materials on improving the ability of Japanese learners of English to detect, comprehend, and react to how humor is used in English speaking countries. Our research project resulted in significant results and the Principal Investigator and Co-Investigator were thus very successful in having research articles and conference proposals accepted. Publications for this project included an edited book (by the Principal Investigator and Co-Investigator), four book chapters, and four peer-reviewed journal articles. The PI was also invited to write a series of columns for TESOL International about the theme of the research project. Despite the impact of COVID-19, the PI also delivered more than 20 oral presentations at academic conferences.

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

ユーモアは異文化コミュニケーションに不可欠な要素ですが、英語学習者が英語圏のユーモアをよりよく理解できるようにすることに特化した研究はまだ不足しています。 教育におけるユーモアの利点については多くの研究が説明していますが、PIと共同研究員が編集したこの本は、英語学習者のユーモア能力開発を支援するための実証研究について説明している点でユニークでです。 さらに、私たちの論文の 1 つは、特に日本人の英語学習者向けのユーモア能力トレーニングに関する最初の論文であり、こういったテーマの論文では、Q1ジャーナルである『System』に初めて掲載されたものであると考えています。

Report

(5 results)
  • 2022 Annual Research Report   Final Research Report ( PDF )
  • 2021 Research-status Report
  • 2020 Research-status Report
  • 2019 Research-status Report
  • Research Products

    (46 results)

All 2023 2022 2021 2020 2019

All Journal Article (14 results) (of which Int'l Joint Research: 12 results,  Peer Reviewed: 9 results,  Open Access: 5 results) Presentation (31 results) (of which Int'l Joint Research: 27 results,  Invited: 1 results) Book (1 results)

  • [Journal Article] Humor competency training with Japanese learners of English2023

    • Author(s)
      John Rucynski, Caleb Prichard
    • Journal Title

      Re-envisioning Language Teaching & Learning in Asia (book)

      Volume: -

    • Related Report
      2022 Annual Research Report
    • Peer Reviewed / Int'l Joint Research
  • [Journal Article] Exploring humor and cultural differences through intercultural humor misunderstanding case studies2023

    • Author(s)
      John Rucynski
    • Journal Title

      Kobe JALT Journal

      Volume: 4(1) Pages: 44-55

    • Related Report
      2022 Annual Research Report
    • Peer Reviewed / Open Access
  • [Journal Article] Is This Thing On? Teacher Views of Incorporating Humor Into Online Language Classes2022

    • Author(s)
      Rucynski John、Okayama University
    • Journal Title

      The Language Teacher

      Volume: 46 Issue: 6 Pages: 9-9

    • DOI

      10.37546/jalttlt46.6-2

    • Related Report
      2022 Annual Research Report
    • Peer Reviewed
  • [Journal Article] Humor in ELT (Part 3): Online Teaching Techniques2022

    • Author(s)
      John Rucynski
    • Journal Title

      TESOL Connections

      Volume: August

    • Related Report
      2022 Annual Research Report
    • Open Access / Int'l Joint Research
  • [Journal Article] Humor in ELT (Part 2): Classroom Techniques2022

    • Author(s)
      John Rucynski
    • Journal Title

      TESOL Connections

      Volume: June

    • Related Report
      2022 Annual Research Report
    • Open Access / Int'l Joint Research
  • [Journal Article] Humor in ELT (Part 1): Benefits, Misconceptions, and Risks2022

    • Author(s)
      John Rucynski
    • Journal Title

      TESOL Connections

      Volume: May

    • Related Report
      2022 Annual Research Report
    • Open Access / Int'l Joint Research
  • [Journal Article] L2 Learners' Ability to Recognize Ironic Online Comments and the Effect of Instruction2022

    • Author(s)
      Caleb Prichard, John Rucynski
    • Journal Title

      System

      Volume: 105(2) Pages: 102733-102733

    • DOI

      10.1016/j.system.2022.102733

    • Related Report
      2021 Research-status Report
    • Peer Reviewed / Int'l Joint Research
  • [Journal Article] The English classroom as “warai no ba”: Instructor views on humor and language learning in Japan2021

    • Author(s)
      Peter Neff, John Rucynski
    • Journal Title

      International Journal of Educational Research

      Volume: 2-2(1) Pages: 100070-100070

    • DOI

      10.1016/j.ijedro.2021.100070

    • Related Report
      2021 Research-status Report
    • Peer Reviewed / Open Access / Int'l Joint Research
  • [Journal Article] Implementing humor instruction into English language teaching2021

    • Author(s)
      John Rucynski, Caleb Prichard
    • Journal Title

      English Teaching Forum

      Volume: 59(3) Pages: 2-13

    • Related Report
      2021 Research-status Report
    • Peer Reviewed / Int'l Joint Research
  • [Journal Article] Sarcasm is so easy to understand: Teaching Verbal Irony in the English Language Classroom2021

    • Author(s)
      John Rucynski, Caleb Prichard
    • Journal Title

      Teach English With a Sense of Humor: Why (and How to) Be a Funnier and More Effective English Teacher and Laugh All the Way to Your Classroom (edited book)

      Volume: edited book

    • Related Report
      2021 Research-status Report
    • Peer Reviewed / Int'l Joint Research
  • [Journal Article] Are You Serious? Teaching Sarcasm, Jocularity, and Other Verbal Irony2021

    • Author(s)
      Caleb Prichard, John Rucynski
    • Journal Title

      As We Speak: The Newsletter of the Speech, Pronunciation, and Listening Interest Section

      Volume: December 2021

    • Related Report
      2021 Research-status Report
    • Peer Reviewed / Int'l Joint Research
  • [Journal Article] Going beyond the surface with pop culture Using humorous cartoon series to explore social issues in the foreign language classroom2021

    • Author(s)
      John Rucynski
    • Journal Title

      Pop Culture in Language Education (book chapter)

      Volume: 1 Pages: 105-118

    • DOI

      10.4324/9780367808334

    • Related Report
      2020 Research-status Report
    • Peer Reviewed / Int'l Joint Research
  • [Journal Article] Training English Language Learners to Recognize English Satirical News2020

    • Author(s)
      John Rucynski & Caleb Prichard
    • Journal Title

      Bridging the Humor Barrier: Humor Competency Training in English Language Teaching (edited volume)

      Volume: - Pages: 243-268

    • Related Report
      2019 Research-status Report
    • Int'l Joint Research
  • [Journal Article] Humor Competency Training for Sarcasm and Jocularity2020

    • Author(s)
      Caleb Prichard & John Rucynski
    • Journal Title

      Bridging the Humor Barrier: Humor Competency Training in English Language Teaching (edited volume)

      Volume: - Pages: 165-192

    • Related Report
      2019 Research-status Report
    • Int'l Joint Research
  • [Presentation] Considering the Cultural Context when Incorporating Humor into EFL Classes2023

    • Author(s)
      Peter Neff, John Rucynski
    • Organizer
      TESOL 2023 International Convention & English Language Expo
    • Related Report
      2022 Annual Research Report
    • Int'l Joint Research
  • [Presentation] Sarcastic or Sincere? Developing Ability to Recognize Verbal Irony Online2023

    • Author(s)
      Caleb Prichard, John Rucynski
    • Organizer
      TESOL 2023 International Convention & English Language Expo
    • Related Report
      2022 Annual Research Report
    • Int'l Joint Research
  • [Presentation] “Reading the room” in Zoom: Challenges and opportunities using humor in synchronous online language education2023

    • Author(s)
      Peter Neff, John Rucynski
    • Organizer
      American Association of Applied Linguistics (AAAL) 2023 Conference
    • Related Report
      2022 Annual Research Report
    • Int'l Joint Research
  • [Presentation] Humour as a Double-edged Sword in English Language Teaching: Insights from Learners2023

    • Author(s)
      John Rucynski, Peter Neff
    • Organizer
      Australasian Humour Studies Network
    • Related Report
      2022 Annual Research Report
    • Int'l Joint Research
  • [Presentation] Japanese University Students’ Views of Humor in English Language Classes2022

    • Author(s)
      John Rucynski, Peter Neff
    • Organizer
      JALT 2022 Annual Conference
    • Related Report
      2022 Annual Research Report
    • Int'l Joint Research
  • [Presentation] Guiding Learners to Detect Ironic Comments on Social Media2022

    • Author(s)
      John Rucynski, Caleb Prichard
    • Organizer
      JALT 2022 Annual Conference
    • Related Report
      2022 Annual Research Report
    • Int'l Joint Research
  • [Presentation] The Effect of Combining Instruction and Feedback with Tasks in Improving Language Learners’ Media Literacy2022

    • Author(s)
      John Rucynski, Caleb Prichard
    • Organizer
      9th International Conference on Task-based Language Teaching
    • Related Report
      2022 Annual Research Report
    • Int'l Joint Research
  • [Presentation] A Framework for Incorporating a Humor-Based Component into Task-Based Language Teaching2022

    • Author(s)
      John Rucynski, Peter Neff
    • Organizer
      9th International Conference on Task-based Language Teaching
    • Related Report
      2022 Annual Research Report
    • Int'l Joint Research
  • [Presentation] Exploring the Benefits and Challenges of Using Humor in Online Teaching2022

    • Author(s)
      John Rucynski, Peter Neff
    • Organizer
      JALT PanSIG 2022
    • Related Report
      2022 Annual Research Report
    • Int'l Joint Research
  • [Presentation] To Joke or not to Joke: Contrasting Views of Humor in Online English Language Classes2022

    • Author(s)
      John Rucynski
    • Organizer
      Eighth Annual Conference on Global Higher Education at Lakeland University Japan
    • Related Report
      2022 Annual Research Report
  • [Presentation] Using Satirical News to Deepen Awareness of Contemporary Social Issues2022

    • Author(s)
      John Rucynski, Caleb Prichard
    • Organizer
      TESOL International Convention
    • Related Report
      2021 Research-status Report
    • Int'l Joint Research
  • [Presentation] “Is This Thing On??”: Teacher Views on Incorporating Humour into Online Language Classes2022

    • Author(s)
      Peter Neff, John Rucynski
    • Organizer
      Australasian Humor Society Network Annual Conference
    • Related Report
      2021 Research-status Report
    • Int'l Joint Research
  • [Presentation] Examining Instructor Perceptions of “Classroom” Humor During Online Teaching2022

    • Author(s)
      John Rucynski, Peter Neff
    • Organizer
      Global Japan and Academia during Covid-19, University of Hyogo
    • Related Report
      2021 Research-status Report
    • Int'l Joint Research
  • [Presentation] Humor in Cross-cultural Communication: Bond or Barrier?2021

    • Author(s)
      John Rucynski
    • Organizer
      Living on the Edge JALT Conference
    • Related Report
      2021 Research-status Report
  • [Presentation] Humor Competence in Intercultural Communication2021

    • Author(s)
      John Rucynski, Caleb Prichard
    • Organizer
      JALT PanSIG Annual Conference
    • Related Report
      2021 Research-status Report
    • Int'l Joint Research
  • [Presentation] Using Humor in Online Teaching: Struggles and Success Stories2021

    • Author(s)
      John Rucynski, Peter Neff
    • Organizer
      JALT Teacher Development SIG Teacher Journeys Conference
    • Related Report
      2021 Research-status Report
    • Int'l Joint Research
  • [Presentation] Classroom Humor: The View from Language Instructors2021

    • Author(s)
      John Rucynski, Peter Neff
    • Organizer
      53rd Annual Meeting of the British Association for Applied Linguistics
    • Related Report
      2021 Research-status Report
    • Int'l Joint Research
  • [Presentation] "Similar yet Different": Teacher Views of Humor in Online Teaching2021

    • Author(s)
      John Rucynski, Peter Neff
    • Organizer
      JALT Annual International Conference
    • Related Report
      2021 Research-status Report
    • Int'l Joint Research
  • [Presentation] Considering the cultural context when incorporating humor into the language teaching curriculum2021

    • Author(s)
      John Rucynski & Caleb Prichard
    • Organizer
      American Association for Applied Linguistics (AAAL) Conference
    • Related Report
      2020 Research-status Report
    • Int'l Joint Research
  • [Presentation] Training Japanese learners of English to recognize verbal irony in conversation2021

    • Author(s)
      Caleb Prichard & John Rucynski
    • Organizer
      Australasian Humour Studies Network 2021 Conference
    • Related Report
      2020 Research-status Report
    • Int'l Joint Research
  • [Presentation] Using cross-cultural humour misunderstanding case studies in the foreign language classroom2021

    • Author(s)
      John Rucynski & Caleb Prichard
    • Organizer
      Australasian Humour Studies Network 2021 Conference
    • Related Report
      2020 Research-status Report
    • Int'l Joint Research
  • [Presentation] Training English language learners to detect English satirical news2021

    • Author(s)
      John Rucynski & Caleb Prichard
    • Organizer
      TESOL 2021 Convention & English Language Expo
    • Related Report
      2020 Research-status Report
    • Int'l Joint Research
  • [Presentation] Training learners to recognize sarcasm in conversation2021

    • Author(s)
      Caleb Prichard & John Rucynski
    • Organizer
      TESOL 2021 Convention & English Language Expo
    • Related Report
      2020 Research-status Report
    • Int'l Joint Research
  • [Presentation] The role of humor in language education and cross-cultural communication2021

    • Author(s)
      John Rucynski
    • Organizer
      Okayama University Japan x SDGs Virtual Global Circuit Academic Seminar Series
    • Related Report
      2020 Research-status Report
    • Invited
  • [Presentation] Energize your English classes with humor competency training2021

    • Author(s)
      John Rucynski
    • Organizer
      Nagoya JALT Monthly Meeting
    • Related Report
      2020 Research-status Report
  • [Presentation] University teacher and student views of humor2020

    • Author(s)
      John Rucynski
    • Organizer
      JALT PanSIG 2020
    • Related Report
      2020 Research-status Report
    • Int'l Joint Research
  • [Presentation] Examining the role of humor competence in intercultural communication2020

    • Author(s)
      John Rucynski & Caleb Prichard
    • Organizer
      SIETAR (Society for Intercultural Education, Training, and Research) Japan Annual Conference
    • Related Report
      2020 Research-status Report
    • Int'l Joint Research
  • [Presentation] The Methodological Challenge of Incorporating Humor Competency Training into the English Language Teaching Curriculum: Case Study of English Satirical News2019

    • Author(s)
      John Rucynski & Caleb Prichard
    • Organizer
      PRELA 2019 "Professionals and Research in Applied Linguistics"
    • Related Report
      2019 Research-status Report
    • Int'l Joint Research
  • [Presentation] Training English Language Learners to Detect English Satirical News2019

    • Author(s)
      John Rucynski & Peter Neff
    • Organizer
      The Applied Linguistics Conference 2019
    • Related Report
      2019 Research-status Report
    • Int'l Joint Research
  • [Presentation] Humor in the Language Classroom: Insights from Learners and Educators2019

    • Author(s)
      Peter Neff & John Rucynski
    • Organizer
      The Applied Linguistics Conference 2019
    • Related Report
      2019 Research-status Report
    • Int'l Joint Research
  • [Presentation] Training English Language Learners to Detect English Satirical News2019

    • Author(s)
      Caleb Prichard & John Rucynski
    • Organizer
      JALT (The Japan Association for Language Teaching) 2019 International Conference
    • Related Report
      2019 Research-status Report
    • Int'l Joint Research
  • [Book] Lexington Books (Rowman & Littlefield)2020

    • Author(s)
      John Rucynski & Caleb Prichard (editors)
    • Total Pages
      275
    • Publisher
      Bridging the Humor Barrier: Humor Competency Training in English Language Teaching
    • ISBN
      9781498592000
    • Related Report
      2019 Research-status Report

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Published: 2019-04-18   Modified: 2024-01-30  

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