The impact of participant background on ELF interactions in EMI

2021 Fiscal Year Research-status Report

• Project/Area Number: 20K13137
• Research Institution: The University of Shiga Prefecture
• Principal Investigator: Hawkes Martin 滋賀県立大学, 人間文化学部, 准教授 (60756675)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: ELF / lingua franca / EMI

Outline of Annual Research Achievements

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, it has been impossible to make much progress on this research project. The main focus of the research is the academic interactions between multilingual speakers of English within EMI classes in Japan. However, since no students have been allowed to enter Japan for over two years, I have not been able to collect much data at all.

To date, I have been able to collect some samples of interactive data which I have been able to analyse. However, this is a very small corpus to work with and I simply need more data. In the time of the project I have been able to expand from knowledge of the subject area through the relevant research literature, and I have been able to pilot the use of 360-degree video recording devices.

Current Status of Research Progress

4: Progress in research has been delayed.

Reason

As mentioned above in "Summary of Research Achievements", the pandemic has severely impacted my ability to make significant progress in this research project. However, with Japan now opening up, and with overseas students arriving at my institution (the research site), I am confident of making progress over the next few months.

Strategy for Future Research Activity

This month (May 2022), overseas exchange students have begun to arrive at my institution. Over the next few months I intend to find volunteers to help me with my data collection. I have already made initial enquiries and hope to make concrete progress over the next 6 to 8 weeks.

Causes of Carryover

Due to the pandemic, I have been unable to use much of my research grant. Now that we have incoming overseas students at my institution, I hope to make significant progress with my research. I plan to use funds to aid with data collection. Also, with in-person conferences returning, I hope to be able to attend conferences later in the year.