Effective English learning and teaching from brain science and learning process

2017 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 15K01043
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Educational technology
• Research Institution: Gifu Shotoku Gakuen University
• Principal Investigator: OISHI HARUMI 岐阜聖徳学園大学, 教育学部, 教授 (50387479)
• Project Period (FY): 2015-04-01 – 2018-03-31
• Keywords: 第二言語習得 / 脳科学 / 英語リーディング / 視線行動 / 多読 / リーディングストラテジー

Outline of Final Research Achievements

This paper explores whether Extensive Reading (ER) has a positive effect on students, reading comprehension, speed (WPM), and reading strategies. The results of this study were examined by brain patterns (BP) and eye movement (EM). Fifty undergraduates were recruited to participate in the project. While reading English, students' EM were recorded by an eye tracker and the changes of BP examined by optical topography to investigate whether learners act differently before and after doing ER. The results revealed that in the experimental group the comprehension on the paper test varied. Some attained higher scores on the second of two tests while others received the same scores. However, WPM of all participants became shorter. EM and BP of all participants changed similar to the optimal patterns. The control group did not show a substantial change. Such results can be interpreted as proof of the effectiveness of ER by analyzing objective data as well as via subjective methods.

Free Research Field

脳科学、第二言語習得