Age and Pedagogy Effects on Conceptual Access in Child L2 Learning

2017 Fiscal Year Research-status Report

• Project/Area Number: 17K03013
• Research Institution: Akita International University
• Principal Investigator: CLAY Williams 国際教養大学, 国際教養学部, 准教授 (70792555)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): 長沼 奈絵子 国際教養大学, 国際教養学部, 助教 (10381336)
• Project Period (FY): 2017-04-01 – 2020-03-31
• Keywords: Vocabulary learning / Young Learners / L2 learning / L2 vocabulary / RHM

Outline of Annual Research Achievements

In the 2017 academic year, we purchased testing materials, set up the experiment (i.e., wrote the DMDX program being used for testing), and obtained permissions, initiated and completed all experimental testing for grades 4-6 at two area elementary schools: Yuwa Elementary School and Hiromote Elementary School.

Current Status of Research Progress

3: Progress in research has been slightly delayed.

Reason

While initial materials acquisition took longer than expected, we nevertheless had not anticipated starting testing until last fall, which we did. While we had hoped to conduct testing at at least three schools by the end of March, we thus far have only tested at 2 different sites due largely to limitations of availability by local schools. Nevertheless, as the schools approached thus far are relatively receptive to the idea of the research, it should not be difficult to get back on schedule in the coming year, and we are not anticipating any difficulties in finishing testing on schedule.

Strategy for Future Research Activity

We have two additional test sites arranged for June and September, and are in the midst of negotiations with another two test sites. We're likely to conduct testing in as many as six different schools in the 2018 academic year, including large schools with over a hundred students per grade level. This would enable us to finish data collection by Spring of 2019, and focus subsequent efforts on analysis and publication/dissemination.

Causes of Carryover

The current fiscal year will incur significantly more charges for personnel expenditures as we increase the scope and pace of testing. We'll also be applying to present at various conferences which may incur expenses in both the 2018 and 2019 cycles.