The Effect of English Education and Study Abroad Experiences on (Non-) Cognitive Abilities and Labor Market Outcomes

2024 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K13728
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 07050:Public economics and labor economics-related
• Research Institution: Meiji Gakuin University
• Principal Investigator: Lee Sun Youn 明治学院大学, 国際学部, 教授 (40711924)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2025-03-31
• Keywords: （非）認知能力 / 言語教育 / グローバル人材育成政策 / 労働市場での成果

Outline of Final Research Achievements

This study examined how Japan’s education policies aimed at developing global human resources—through English education and study abroad programs—affect learners’ cognitive skills (such as knowledge and critical thinking), non-cognitive traits (such as autonomy and perseverance), and employment outcomes. As part of this research, two peer-reviewed articles were published. The first proposed a theoretical framework for evaluating the learning outcomes of English-Medium Instruction (EMI) and discussed its potential application to university internationalization strategies. The second focused on early childhood English education in South Korea and, based on nationwide surveys and parent interviews, empirically revealed how family environments influence children's English proficiency and motivation to learn. These findings provide valuable insights for education policy and practice in Japan, as well as in other similar EFL (English as a Foreign Language) contexts.

Free Research Field

労働・行動経済学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究では、高等教育における英語による授業（EMI）の学習成果に関する理論的枠組を提示し、今後の日本政府によるグローバル人材育成政策やカリキュラム設計への応用可能性を示した。また、幼児期の英語教育に関する実証分析では、家庭の社会経済的背景や保護者の就労形態が教育介入に与える影響を明らかにし、言語教育における格差是正に向けた政策的示唆を提供した。いずれの研究も、応用言語学と経済学の学際的視点から実施され、言語教育の効果と公平性の両面において、グローバル人材育成政策に貢献する意義を持つ。