Meditation as a Tool for Language Learning - Mindfulness as a New Approach to Foreign Language Teaching in Modern Higher Education

2023 Fiscal Year Research-status Report

• Project/Area Number: 20K13104
• Research Institution: Kyoto University
• Principal Investigator: 田代 ルイーサ 京都大学, 国際高等教育院, 講師 (20822729)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2025-03-31
• Keywords: 外国語教育 / マインドフルネス / SLA / Mindfulness

Outline of Annual Research Achievements

The goal of this project is to investigate whether meditation can improve language learning in university settings. Educators are increasingly implementing holistic approaches into the foreign language classroom, with one popular method being mindfulness. Mindfulness has been associated with better grades and well-being in higher education. My findings indicate that mindfulness not only improves general academic performance, but also has a direct relationship with SLA. My research suggests that mindfulness training for students may be a novel approach to facilitate vocabulary learning, mindfulness, motivation to some degree, and that acceptance of meditation exercises are highly accepted.

Current Status of Research Progress

3: Progress in research has been slightly delayed.

Reason

The reason for the delay in my research progress was the significant challenge of compiling and synthesizing the comprehensive findings into the book format planned for publication. The nature of my research required careful analysis and integration of diverse data sets and theoretical perspectives. This process was more time-consuming than initially anticipated, as it was crucial to ensure that the arguments presented were cogent and well-supported by empirical evidence. However, these challenges have been largely overcome, and the manuscript is now in its final stages of preparation.

Strategy for Future Research Activity

Upon the completion of the book, the immediate next step in my research scheme is its publication for a wide dissemination. Further, I plan to present the key insights and methodologies at conferences which hopefully will lead to further collaborations and studies.

Causes of Carryover

The funds allocated for the previous fiscal year were initially earmarked for an English language review of the manuscript intended for publication. However, due to unforeseen delays in finalizing the manuscript due to the extended time required to ensure a rigorous synthesis of the research findings the process is postponed. Consequently, these funds were not utilized and have been carried over to the next fiscal year. For the next fiscal year, the plan is to utilize these carried-over funds for the publication of the book.