Some suggestion for a better remedial English classes: L2 reading proficiency and motivation

• Project/Area Number: 23520772
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Foreign language education
• Research Institution: Doshisha University
• Principal Investigator: TANAKA Takako 同志社大学, 文学部, 准教授 (50434676)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): AKAMATSU Nobuhiko 同志社大学, 文学部, 教授 (30281736)
• Project Period (FY): 2011-04-28 – 2015-03-31
• Project Status: Completed (Fiscal Year 2014)
• Budget Amount: ¥4,940,000 (Direct Cost: ¥3,800,000、Indirect Cost: ¥1,140,000); Fiscal Year 2013: ¥1,430,000 (Direct Cost: ¥1,100,000、Indirect Cost: ¥330,000); Fiscal Year 2012: ¥1,690,000 (Direct Cost: ¥1,300,000、Indirect Cost: ¥390,000); Fiscal Year 2011: ¥1,820,000 (Direct Cost: ¥1,400,000、Indirect Cost: ¥420,000)
• Keywords: 英語教育 / 学習意欲 / リメディアル教育 / 混合研究法 / 質的研究 / リメディアル

Outline of Final Research Achievements

This research project aimed to offer suggestions as to how remedial education programs in English might be made more beneficial for Japanese university students with low L2 (English) reading proficiency and relatively poor motivation. My research 1) explored the relationship between English reading proficiency and the motivation to learn and read English quantitatively, and 2) investigated motivational patterns of low L2 reading proficiency qualitatively. I found that considerable importance attaches to: a) a learner's having garnered positive experience in his or her studies; b) a feeling of personal efficacy; c) support and guidance of students as they reflect on their own learning; and d) assistance given to students such that they develop a more robust concept of self.

Research Products

• [Presentation] Listening to less-motivated learners: A qualitative study (2013)
  • Author(s): Takako TANAKA
  • Organizer: BAAL Language Learning and Teaching Special Interest Group 9th Annual Conference
  • Place of Presentation: St. Mary's University College, Twickenham, England
• [Presentation] Listening to less-motivated learners: A qualitative study (2013)
  • Author(s): Takako TANAKA
  • Organizer: BAAL Language Learning and Teaching Special Interest Group 9th Annual Conference
  • Place of Presentation: St. Mary's University College, Twickenham, England