Willingness to Communicate in Adolescent EFL Learners

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 18K00815
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 02100:Foreign language education-related
• Research Institution: Kansai Gaidai University (2022); Kansai Gaidai College (2018-2021)
• Principal Investigator: Toyoda Junko 関西外国語大学, 外国語学部, 准教授 (40618104)
• Project Period (FY): 2018-04-01 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: L2 WTC / Situational L2 WTC / Task-based learning / 中学校英語教育

Outline of Final Research Achievements

This study investigated Willingness to Communicate in a second language (L2 WTC) of junior high school students learning English in school, which has been under-explored. Several intervention lessons created based on task-based instruction were implemented at a junior high school English class in Osaka. Qualitative data were obtained through stimulated recall interviews with 7 participants. As a result of the analysis, it was found that the participants’ L2 WTC levels were influenced by two factors: 1) the influence of the conversation partner and 2) the influence of the task condition. In addition, through analyses of semi-structured interviews with the participants during the intervention period, it was revealed that they showed three different patterns of psychological changes regarding L2 WTC and L2 communication affect.

Free Research Field

外国語教育

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

1. L2 WTC研究は英語圏であるESL環境での調査が主流である。日本の公教育現場の中学校英語教育においては未開拓であるため、先駆的に開拓する必要がある。2. 「再生面接法」など、世界で主流となっている研究手法を取り入れ、研究目的の解明に挑んだ。得られたデータや知見は、日本の応用言語学分野における研究の発展に貢献できる点で意義深い。3. 学校教育で英語能力を向上させる取り組みが行われてきた。しかし、学習者の英語を話す意欲が育たなければ、英語を使うグローバル人材の育成は困難となるだろう。「英語を使う意思」であるL2 WTC研究は、日本の英語教育発展に極めて重要と言える。