2011 Fiscal Year Final Research Report
Research on reasoning and motivation to learn English in Okinawa, connected to the existence of US military bases
| Project/Area Number |
21520636
|
|---|
| Research Category |
Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
|
| Allocation Type | Single-year Grants |
|---|
| Section | 一般 |
|---|
| Research Field |
Foreign language education
|
|---|
| Research Institution | Hiroshima University (2011)
University of the Ryukyus (2009-2010) |
|---|
Principal Investigator |
SHIBATA Miki 広島大学, 大学院・総合科学研究科, 准教授 (90310961)
|
|---|
| Project Period (FY) |
2009 – 2011
|
| Keywords | 英語教育 / 米軍基地 / 帰属意識 / モチベーション |
|---|
| Research Abstract |
The present study was conducted in Okinawa, Japan, in order to investigate influence of the presence of U. S. military bases over the attitude that local people have toward English language and its use. A total of 281 participants from two groups(i. e., those employed on the bases and those who are not related to the base) responded to a questionnaire. The results revealed that base employees more clearly recognized the necessity of learning English than individuals not related to the bases and that the instrumental function of English was limited only to local-level issues such as solving base-related crimes happening in their community. Although a majority of participants identified themselves as Okinawan, they did not consider English a tool for improving controversial conditions in which they had been situated since World War ii. Furthermore, the interdependency between employment on the bases and job situations in Okinawa appeared salient through the interview sessions.
|
Research Products
(13 results)
