2022 Fiscal Year Research-status Report
Extended discourse in the foreign language classroom: From the perspective of narratives of Japanese learners of English
| Project/Area Number |
22K00688
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| Research Institution | Meikai University |
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Principal Investigator |
中邑 啓子 明海大学, 外国語学部, 准教授 (20449044)
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| Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha) |
Patrizia Hayashi 明海大学, 多言語コミュニケーションセンター, 教授 (30527974)
RODE TYSON 明海大学, 多言語コミュニケーションセンター, 准教授 (40795150)
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| Project Period (FY) |
2022-04-01 – 2026-03-31
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| Keywords | oral narrative / written narrative / spoken discourse / written discourse / English learners / Japanese learners / extended discourse / EFL classrooms |
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| Outline of Annual Research Achievements |
The purpose of this study is to examine the development of extended discourse skills in Japanese learners of English by focusing on narratives gathered through an English language program at a Japanese university. Regarding foreign language learners of English, basic narrative skills are important for both speaking and writing. A variety of both written and spoken narratives (e.g., personal narratives, fictional narratives, elicited narratives, collaborative narratives) will be collected. Narratives will be analyzed in terms of (1) narrative organization (e.g., cohesion, referential structure), and (2) evaluative language (e.g., frames of mind, hedges). Both cross-sectional (by year and proficiency level) and longitudinal analyses will be conducted. In addition, comparisons between different types of narratives (e.g., personal narratives, fictional narratives) will be conducted. Lastly, the narratives will be organized into a L2 learner corpus of narratives which will contribute to second language research and pedagogy.
During FY2022, the main focus of the project was data collection. Spoken and written narratives of various types (i.e., elicited narratives, personal narratives, fictional narratives, collaborative narratives) were collected from approximately 300 university students. Transcription and data analysis have commenced. One publication on collaborative narratives has been written, based on preliminary results.
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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 research schedule included (1) collection of spoken and written narratives by Japanese learners of English (e.g., three proficiency levels, four grades); (2) transcription of audio-recorded spoken narratives (e.g., personal narratives, elicited narratives, fictional narratives, collaborative personal narratives, collaborative fictional narratives); (3) transcription of handwritten (written) narratives (e.g., personal narratives, elicited narratives, fictional narratives). Coding and analysis of some of the data has also commenced.
Data collection is going according to schedule and is progressing smoothly.
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| Strategy for Future Research Activity |
In FY2023, we hope to continue with our ongoing collection of spoken and written narratives by Japanese learners of English as well as our transcription of the narratives. Coding and analysis (i.e., error analysis, type/token analysis, corpus analysis) of the data will also continue (e.g., by proficiency level; by grade).
This upcoming year, we are planning to present our research findings at several conferences: i.e., International Symposium on Bilingualism (ISB14) in June 2023; International Pragmatics Association (IPRA2023) in July 2023; The 21st AsiaTEFL International Conference (AsiaTEFL2023) in August 2023.
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| Causes of Carryover |
A small amount remained and will be used with next year's funds, most likely for conference participation fees.
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| Remarks |
Research publications will be uploaded to the Research Map page (Nakamura).
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