2021 Fiscal Year Research-status Report
Verbal communication of emotion in foreign language and intercultural learning
| Project/Area Number |
20K21980
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| Research Institution | Toyo University |
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Principal Investigator |
SANDU ROXANA 東洋大学, 国際観光学部, 講師 (90637638)
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| Project Period (FY) |
2020-09-11 – 2023-03-31
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| Keywords | emotions / viral videos / English language |
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| Outline of Annual Research Achievements |
Although data could not be collected as planned and the project hasn't progressed as smoothly as planned, I gave one presentation at a conference based on numerous informal classroom discussions and observations. I discussed that Japanese English learners avoid the display of emotion in public and prefer to mostly remain neutral in their reactions, both verbal and nonverbal, but are more open to do otherwise when interacting in small groups. Similar observations were made when Japanese English learners participated in intercultural exchanges with international students from various cultural backgrounds. In comparison to the international students participating in the exchanges, Japanese English learners’ interactions seemed flat, lacking the expression of emotion, be it positive (engagement) or negative (resistance). Thus, this presentation discussed the idea that we all possess an “emotive capacity” (Caffi & Janney, 1994) in our native languages, therefore acquiring a new one when learning a foreign language should be expected. The acquired “emotive capacity” should help us adjust and/or adapt our verbal expression of emotion when interacting with people from various cultural backgrounds.
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| Current Status of Research Progress |
Current Status of Research Progress
4: Progress in research has been delayed.
Reason
In 2021, two online pilot studies were conducted in the attempt to collect all data using video conferencing platforms. However, from the pilot studies, it was confirmed that the methodology chosen for this research project, focus group discussions, is better done face-to-face rather than online. Therefore, due to COVID-19 ongoing situation, face-to-face focus group discussions were difficult to be held, hence data could not be collected as planned, and everything got postponed to 2022.
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| Strategy for Future Research Activity |
Due to the COVID-19 situation, and the fact that face-to-face focus group discussions were difficult to be held in order to collect the data, the PI had to made some modifications to the initial plan. PI plans to start collecting the data from native speakers of Japanese, in order to create a baseline that will allow the researcher to compare it to the data collected from the language learners. Due to the remaining time, data might be collected only from Japanese English learners instead of various groups of international students.
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| Causes of Carryover |
Due to COVID-19, traveling to attend international or domestic conferences was not possible, so the initial requested amount could not be spent.
For next fiscal year, remuneration, in form of a symbolic payment reward for the volunteering participants will be offered as an incentive to participate in the focus group discussions. Research assistants will be hired to help the researcher with unexpected technical problems during the discussions, as well as explaining the details to the participants, administering the questionnaire, and making sure the discussions go smoothly.
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Research Products
(1 results)
