2022 Fiscal Year Research-status Report
Japanese EFL learners and article usage: Locating precise variables that affect explicit instruction through web-based methods
| Project/Area Number |
21K13081
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| Research Institution | Kansai University |
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Principal Investigator |
Lucas Matthew 関西大学, 外国語学部, 准教授 (50796498)
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| Project Period (FY) |
2021-04-01 – 2024-03-31
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| Keywords | articles / explicit instruction / grammatical accuracy / Japanese EFL learners / web-based instruction |
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| Outline of Annual Research Achievements |
The purpose of the current study is to help Japanese EFL learners improve their accuracy of article usage (a/an, the) through explicit grammar instruction. During the Spring semester of AY2022, the instructional content (across four experimental conditions) was delivered as an e-learning program to multiple classes while reading and writing data were collected to test the learning outcomes (via the online platforms developed in AY2021). The Fall semester of AY2022 was spent cleaning and collating the data while simultaneously preparing and piloting Phase 2 of the study, whereby the modalities shifted to listening and speaking. The piloting highlighted areas that required revision and amendments were made accordingly.
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| Current Status of Research Progress |
Current Status of Research Progress
2: Research has progressed on the whole more than it was originally planned.
Reason
The project, more or less, is progressing according to the timeline set out in the original plan. Quality time was invested in communications with the web developer hired to create the online platforms in addition to thorough piloting. These preparations ensured that both the data collection in the Spring semester and the further development of the online platforms in the Fall semester were carried out smoothly, without any major issues or delays.
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| Strategy for Future Research Activity |
The plan for the Spring semester of AY2023 is to begin Phase 2 of the study by gathering listening and speaking data from consenting participants. As with the reading and writing data collected during Phase 1 in AY2022, the procedure involves exposure to the e-learning materials and measuring progress at the pre, post, and delayed intervals with the online tests. The Fall semester of AY2023 will be spent marking and analysing the data from both phases of the study. Once the data analysis is complete, the remainder of AY2023 will be spent preparing the manuscript and disseminating the findings.
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| Causes of Carryover |
The budget carryover is attributed to the lower-than-expected costs incurred from the online development of Phase 2. In the upcoming fiscal year, AY2023, the remaining budget will be allocated towards website maintenance and covering expenses related to attending an international conference.
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