Long-term change in international students'motivation for learning Japanese: Dynamic systems approach perspective

2016 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 26770182
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Japanese language education
• Research Institution: The University of Shimane
• Principal Investigator: KOBAYASHI Akiko 島根県立大学, 総合政策学部, 准教授 (40548195)
• Project Period (FY): 2014-04-01 – 2017-03-31
• Keywords: 動機づけ / 異文化接触 / 中国人留学生

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The purpose of this study was to investigate the long-term change in motivation for learning Japanese using the dynamic systems approach. In the survey, semi-structured interviews were first conducted for international students enrolled in Japanese universities and former international students who secured jobs at Japanese companies after their graduation. Second, the responses to the interview questions were analyzed based on the following aspects: changes in motivation for learning Japanese, timing of the change, and factors influencing the motivation. Further, classroom practices, aimed at increasing the motivation, were conducted. As a result, it was shown that students' motivation levels, as well as the factors influencing the motivation levels, change from those at the beginning of Japanese learning to those after securing a job. It was revealed that different learning support and Japanese educational program were required at each educational stage.

Free Research Field

日本語教育