The development and evaluation of a digital role playing game (RPG) as a tool to support foreign language learning

• Project/Area Number: 24K04095
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 02100:Foreign language education-related
• Research Institution: Kindai University
• Principal Investigator: スワイヤー ロバート 近畿大学, 文芸学部, 講師 (80783464)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): Peterson Mark 京都大学, 人間・環境学研究科, 准教授 (90361732)
• Project Period (FY): 2024-04-01 – 2027-03-31
• Project Status: Granted (Fiscal Year 2024)
• Budget Amount: ¥4,420,000 (Direct Cost: ¥3,400,000、Indirect Cost: ¥1,020,000); Fiscal Year 2026: ¥1,300,000 (Direct Cost: ¥1,000,000、Indirect Cost: ¥300,000); Fiscal Year 2025: ¥1,300,000 (Direct Cost: ¥1,000,000、Indirect Cost: ¥300,000); Fiscal Year 2024: ¥1,820,000 (Direct Cost: ¥1,400,000、Indirect Cost: ¥420,000)
• Keywords: Learner interaction / CALL / Digital games

Outline of Research at the Start

This project investigates the use of online role playing games for second language learning. Language education researchers have noticed that digital games can be surprisingly effective at engaging students and encouraging the types of natural communication that lead to skills development in second languages. In particular, this research investigates how these types of games can work with Japanese university students.