International Journal of Teaching, Learning and Education, 2023
As artificial intelligence (AI) technology advances, educators are faced with the challenge of de... more As artificial intelligence (AI) technology advances, educators are faced with the challenge of detecting AIgenerated writing in student assignments. This study explores the effectiveness of freely available AI detection software in identifying AI-generated content and its implications for teacher evaluation of student work. The research involved Japanese university students who used AI for English writing assignments. We compared our manual analysis with results from five different free AI writing detectors. The findings reveal the limitations of free AI detection tools and the need for cautious use in educational settings.
international journal of Education, Learning and Development
Through the design and implementation of a survey, this paper has sought to better understand per... more Through the design and implementation of a survey, this paper has sought to better understand perceptions among educators in Japan concerning the readiness and necessity of English-taught programs in Japanese higher education institutions. The researchers surveyed both domestic and international teachers at a private science university in Japan and found that educators believe some struggles exist for Japanese students in English-taught classes. These struggles, specifically regarding cultural differences in teaching and learning styles, might hinder Japanese students’ acclimation to English-taught courses. The respondents also felt that English-taught programs were necessary and benefitted both international and domestic students.
Any educational context evolves over time. In this regard, the English language teaching curricul... more Any educational context evolves over time. In this regard, the English language teaching curriculum at Tokyo University of Science (TUS) is no different. With this report, we take into consideration the background to the study of English in Japan, the reasons for recent national and institutional policy reform and the repercussions in the teaching of reading. In this regard, we review the literature regarding what constitutes best practice in the English as a Foreign Language (EFL) context of Japan. Furthermore, we analyse the benefits and pitfalls of introducing first-and second-year students to an online extensive reading programme.
International Journal of Education, Learning and Development, 2023
Through the design and implementation of a survey, this paper has sought to better understand per... more Through the design and implementation of a survey, this paper has sought to better understand perceptions among educators in Japan concerning the readiness and necessity of English-taught programs in Japanese higher education institutions. The researchers surveyed both domestic and international teachers at a private science university in Japan and found that educators believe some struggles exist for Japanese students in English-taught classes. These struggles, specifically regarding cultural differences in teaching and learning styles, might hinder Japanese students' acclimation to English-taught courses. The respondents also felt that English-taught programs were necessary and benefitted both international and domestic students.
International Journal of Education, Learning and Development, 2023
Through the design and implementation of a survey, this paper has sought to better understand per... more Through the design and implementation of a survey, this paper has sought to better understand perceptions among educators in Japan concerning the readiness and necessity of English-taught programs in Japanese higher education institutions. The researchers surveyed both domestic and international teachers at a private science university in Japan and found that educators believe some struggles exist for Japanese students in English-taught classes. These struggles, specifically regarding cultural differences in teaching and learning styles, might hinder Japanese students' acclimation to English-taught courses. The respondents also felt that English-taught programs were necessary and benefitted both international and domestic students.
LANGUAGE ENDANGERMENT, SHIFTING CULTURAL IDENTITIES AND REVITALIZATION EFFORTS, 2021
This article attempts to offer a broad perspective on the link between language, culture, and ide... more This article attempts to offer a broad perspective on the link between language, culture, and identity across a multiplex of social groups. The relationship between language endangerment, death, and the potential impact on cultural identity is examined. Through the analysis of four pertinent research studies, the microcosmic connection between language and cultural identity is explored in several contexts and across several cultural fields. In particular, the positive and negative effects of a person's perceived dominant language is examined at length. The researchers conclude that language indeed impacts cultural identity, and vast collaborative efforts regarding language endangerment awareness, maintenance, and restoration need to be undertaken.
This article attempts to offer a broad perspective on the link between language, culture, and ide... more This article attempts to offer a broad perspective on the link between language, culture, and identity across a multiplex of social groups. The relationship between language endangerment, death, and the potential impact on cultural identity is examined. Through the analysis of four pertinent research studies, the microcosmic connection between language and cultural identity is explored in several contexts and across several cultural fields. In particular, the positive and negative effects of a person's perceived dominant language is examined at length. The researchers conclude that language indeed impacts cultural identity, and vast collaborative efforts regarding language endangerment awareness, maintenance, and restoration need to be undertaken.
This paper has sought to demonstrate negative language transfer resulting from non-English loanwo... more This paper has sought to demonstrate negative language transfer resulting from non-English loanwords in the Japanese language. Prior to conducting our experiment, we theorized that some L1 interference may result from the use of katakana for these borrowed words, which potentially leads to some students not knowing which loanwords are English, and which are of non-English origin. To test this theory, a double-blind randomized experiment was conducted among 83 university students at Nihon University’s School of Pharmacy. Subjects were given a vocabulary test containing five questions; one with descriptions of the English words only, and the other with descriptions and the katakana counterparts. Our aim was to test whether students given the katakana would assume it to be English. Compared to the control group (mean score=1.551 out of 5), the group with access to the katakana counterparts scored significantly lower (mean score=0.738). An unpaired t-test of the results was conducted, a...
Any educational context evolves over time. In this regard, the English language teaching curricul... more Any educational context evolves over time. In this regard, the English language teaching curriculum at Tokyo University of Science (TUS) is no different. With this report, we take into consideration the background to the study of English in Japan, the reasons for recent...
International Journal of English Language and Linguistics Research, 2021
This article attempts to offer a broad perspective on the link between language, culture, and ide... more This article attempts to offer a broad perspective on the link between language, culture, and identity across a multiplex of social groups. The relationship between language endangerment, death, and the potential impact on cultural identity is examined. Through the analysis of four pertinent research studies, the microcosmic connection between language and cultural identity is explored in several contexts and across several cultural fields. In particular, the positive and negative effects of a person's perceived dominant language is examined at length. The researchers conclude that language indeed impacts cultural identity, and vast collaborative efforts regarding language endangerment awareness, maintenance, and restoration need to be undertaken.
The Bulletin of Meiji Pharmaceutical University (Human Sciences and Social Sciences) , 2017
This paper seeks to analyze the present conditions of aboriginal languages in Australia. The bene... more This paper seeks to analyze the present conditions of aboriginal languages in Australia. The benefits of language revival and maintenance programs are discussed. The success of Hebrew language rejuvenation is evaluated; examining whether successful language revival has indeed been achieved. The factors necessary for language revival are explored, within the context of Aboriginal language death, and predicted obstacles Australian language revivalists may face are discussed. Ultimately, these models are applied to the field of language acquisition alongside a note of caution/awareness regarding concerns of language corruption as it applies to linguo-cultural identity.
Journal of Humanities and Cultural Studies R&D, 2018
This paper has sought to examine the validity of contrastive analysis by researching the predicta... more This paper has sought to examine the validity of contrastive analysis by researching the predictability of errors in the language production of a second language English speaker. To achieve this goal, the linguistic differences between English, and the test subject's first language, Swedish, were examined. Following this venture, predictions were made about possible negative transfer in our subject's language production.Predictions were based on the idiosyncratic phonological, syntactic, morphological, and lexical characteristics of Swedish. To test these predictions, four interviews were given over the course of several months in an attempt to confirm or disconfirm these predictions. The subject's language production was isolated as a txt. file for corpus analysis. Word frequencies and contextual language usage were analyzed and discussed at length. Based on the accuracy of pre-interview predictions, it was concluded that contrastive analysis may be a modestly effective tool for making general inferences about possible interlanguage episodes and language learner difficulties.
This paper has sought to demonstrate negative language transfer resulting from non-English loanwo... more This paper has sought to demonstrate negative language transfer resulting from non-English loanwords in the Japanese language. Prior to conducting our experiment, we theorized that some L1 interference may result from the use of katakana for these borrowed words, which potentially leads to some students not knowing which loanwords are English, and which are of non-English origin. To test this theory, a double-blind randomized experiment was conducted among 83 university students at Nihon Universityʼs School of Pharmacy. Subjects were given a vocabulary test containing five questions; one with descriptions of the English words only, and the other with descriptions and the katakana counterparts. Our aim was to test whether students given the katakana would assume it to be English. Compared to the control group (mean score=1.551 out of 5), the group with access to the katakana counterparts scored significantly lower (mean score=0.738). An unpaired t-test of the results was conducted, and the result showed a significant difference between the two groups (p = 0.0018). A follow up survey was conducted of 144 students from Tokyo University of Science and Nihon Universityʼs School of Pharmacy to see if students could identify the origin of common non-English loanwords. Of the loanwords tested, 80.56% of students incorrectly identified one or more of the words to be from an English-speaking country. This supported the hypothesis that students may not be able to discern the origin of Japanese loanwords.
The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the effect of topical discussion classes on students' se... more The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the effect of topical discussion classes on students' sense of civic duty. A five-class lesson plan was designed to engage students in current political topics including population issues, economics, constitutional amendments, energy resources, and the various political parties in Japan. Group, pair, and whole-class discussions were utilized both to increase student-talk time and encourage whole-class discussions. Teachers interested in using this lesson plan are advised to remain impartial throughout the whole-class discussions in order to avoid inadvertently biasing the discussions, due to their authoritative role in the classroom. Since recent research has shown that young voter turnout in Japan is low, it was decided at the onset of this course to give th e students a survey which baselined their opinion on the importance of young people voting. The same survey was given at the culmination of the course. Based on this exit survey, it was concluded that topical discussions in class did appear to foster a more favorable appraisal of the importance of young people voting in Japan. This paper also covers ethical concerns involved in discussing highly politicized topics in a university classroom setting.
International Journal of Teaching, Learning and Education, 2023
As artificial intelligence (AI) technology advances, educators are faced with the challenge of de... more As artificial intelligence (AI) technology advances, educators are faced with the challenge of detecting AIgenerated writing in student assignments. This study explores the effectiveness of freely available AI detection software in identifying AI-generated content and its implications for teacher evaluation of student work. The research involved Japanese university students who used AI for English writing assignments. We compared our manual analysis with results from five different free AI writing detectors. The findings reveal the limitations of free AI detection tools and the need for cautious use in educational settings.
international journal of Education, Learning and Development
Through the design and implementation of a survey, this paper has sought to better understand per... more Through the design and implementation of a survey, this paper has sought to better understand perceptions among educators in Japan concerning the readiness and necessity of English-taught programs in Japanese higher education institutions. The researchers surveyed both domestic and international teachers at a private science university in Japan and found that educators believe some struggles exist for Japanese students in English-taught classes. These struggles, specifically regarding cultural differences in teaching and learning styles, might hinder Japanese students’ acclimation to English-taught courses. The respondents also felt that English-taught programs were necessary and benefitted both international and domestic students.
Any educational context evolves over time. In this regard, the English language teaching curricul... more Any educational context evolves over time. In this regard, the English language teaching curriculum at Tokyo University of Science (TUS) is no different. With this report, we take into consideration the background to the study of English in Japan, the reasons for recent national and institutional policy reform and the repercussions in the teaching of reading. In this regard, we review the literature regarding what constitutes best practice in the English as a Foreign Language (EFL) context of Japan. Furthermore, we analyse the benefits and pitfalls of introducing first-and second-year students to an online extensive reading programme.
International Journal of Education, Learning and Development, 2023
Through the design and implementation of a survey, this paper has sought to better understand per... more Through the design and implementation of a survey, this paper has sought to better understand perceptions among educators in Japan concerning the readiness and necessity of English-taught programs in Japanese higher education institutions. The researchers surveyed both domestic and international teachers at a private science university in Japan and found that educators believe some struggles exist for Japanese students in English-taught classes. These struggles, specifically regarding cultural differences in teaching and learning styles, might hinder Japanese students' acclimation to English-taught courses. The respondents also felt that English-taught programs were necessary and benefitted both international and domestic students.
International Journal of Education, Learning and Development, 2023
Through the design and implementation of a survey, this paper has sought to better understand per... more Through the design and implementation of a survey, this paper has sought to better understand perceptions among educators in Japan concerning the readiness and necessity of English-taught programs in Japanese higher education institutions. The researchers surveyed both domestic and international teachers at a private science university in Japan and found that educators believe some struggles exist for Japanese students in English-taught classes. These struggles, specifically regarding cultural differences in teaching and learning styles, might hinder Japanese students' acclimation to English-taught courses. The respondents also felt that English-taught programs were necessary and benefitted both international and domestic students.
LANGUAGE ENDANGERMENT, SHIFTING CULTURAL IDENTITIES AND REVITALIZATION EFFORTS, 2021
This article attempts to offer a broad perspective on the link between language, culture, and ide... more This article attempts to offer a broad perspective on the link between language, culture, and identity across a multiplex of social groups. The relationship between language endangerment, death, and the potential impact on cultural identity is examined. Through the analysis of four pertinent research studies, the microcosmic connection between language and cultural identity is explored in several contexts and across several cultural fields. In particular, the positive and negative effects of a person's perceived dominant language is examined at length. The researchers conclude that language indeed impacts cultural identity, and vast collaborative efforts regarding language endangerment awareness, maintenance, and restoration need to be undertaken.
This article attempts to offer a broad perspective on the link between language, culture, and ide... more This article attempts to offer a broad perspective on the link between language, culture, and identity across a multiplex of social groups. The relationship between language endangerment, death, and the potential impact on cultural identity is examined. Through the analysis of four pertinent research studies, the microcosmic connection between language and cultural identity is explored in several contexts and across several cultural fields. In particular, the positive and negative effects of a person's perceived dominant language is examined at length. The researchers conclude that language indeed impacts cultural identity, and vast collaborative efforts regarding language endangerment awareness, maintenance, and restoration need to be undertaken.
This paper has sought to demonstrate negative language transfer resulting from non-English loanwo... more This paper has sought to demonstrate negative language transfer resulting from non-English loanwords in the Japanese language. Prior to conducting our experiment, we theorized that some L1 interference may result from the use of katakana for these borrowed words, which potentially leads to some students not knowing which loanwords are English, and which are of non-English origin. To test this theory, a double-blind randomized experiment was conducted among 83 university students at Nihon University’s School of Pharmacy. Subjects were given a vocabulary test containing five questions; one with descriptions of the English words only, and the other with descriptions and the katakana counterparts. Our aim was to test whether students given the katakana would assume it to be English. Compared to the control group (mean score=1.551 out of 5), the group with access to the katakana counterparts scored significantly lower (mean score=0.738). An unpaired t-test of the results was conducted, a...
Any educational context evolves over time. In this regard, the English language teaching curricul... more Any educational context evolves over time. In this regard, the English language teaching curriculum at Tokyo University of Science (TUS) is no different. With this report, we take into consideration the background to the study of English in Japan, the reasons for recent...
International Journal of English Language and Linguistics Research, 2021
This article attempts to offer a broad perspective on the link between language, culture, and ide... more This article attempts to offer a broad perspective on the link between language, culture, and identity across a multiplex of social groups. The relationship between language endangerment, death, and the potential impact on cultural identity is examined. Through the analysis of four pertinent research studies, the microcosmic connection between language and cultural identity is explored in several contexts and across several cultural fields. In particular, the positive and negative effects of a person's perceived dominant language is examined at length. The researchers conclude that language indeed impacts cultural identity, and vast collaborative efforts regarding language endangerment awareness, maintenance, and restoration need to be undertaken.
The Bulletin of Meiji Pharmaceutical University (Human Sciences and Social Sciences) , 2017
This paper seeks to analyze the present conditions of aboriginal languages in Australia. The bene... more This paper seeks to analyze the present conditions of aboriginal languages in Australia. The benefits of language revival and maintenance programs are discussed. The success of Hebrew language rejuvenation is evaluated; examining whether successful language revival has indeed been achieved. The factors necessary for language revival are explored, within the context of Aboriginal language death, and predicted obstacles Australian language revivalists may face are discussed. Ultimately, these models are applied to the field of language acquisition alongside a note of caution/awareness regarding concerns of language corruption as it applies to linguo-cultural identity.
Journal of Humanities and Cultural Studies R&D, 2018
This paper has sought to examine the validity of contrastive analysis by researching the predicta... more This paper has sought to examine the validity of contrastive analysis by researching the predictability of errors in the language production of a second language English speaker. To achieve this goal, the linguistic differences between English, and the test subject's first language, Swedish, were examined. Following this venture, predictions were made about possible negative transfer in our subject's language production.Predictions were based on the idiosyncratic phonological, syntactic, morphological, and lexical characteristics of Swedish. To test these predictions, four interviews were given over the course of several months in an attempt to confirm or disconfirm these predictions. The subject's language production was isolated as a txt. file for corpus analysis. Word frequencies and contextual language usage were analyzed and discussed at length. Based on the accuracy of pre-interview predictions, it was concluded that contrastive analysis may be a modestly effective tool for making general inferences about possible interlanguage episodes and language learner difficulties.
This paper has sought to demonstrate negative language transfer resulting from non-English loanwo... more This paper has sought to demonstrate negative language transfer resulting from non-English loanwords in the Japanese language. Prior to conducting our experiment, we theorized that some L1 interference may result from the use of katakana for these borrowed words, which potentially leads to some students not knowing which loanwords are English, and which are of non-English origin. To test this theory, a double-blind randomized experiment was conducted among 83 university students at Nihon Universityʼs School of Pharmacy. Subjects were given a vocabulary test containing five questions; one with descriptions of the English words only, and the other with descriptions and the katakana counterparts. Our aim was to test whether students given the katakana would assume it to be English. Compared to the control group (mean score=1.551 out of 5), the group with access to the katakana counterparts scored significantly lower (mean score=0.738). An unpaired t-test of the results was conducted, and the result showed a significant difference between the two groups (p = 0.0018). A follow up survey was conducted of 144 students from Tokyo University of Science and Nihon Universityʼs School of Pharmacy to see if students could identify the origin of common non-English loanwords. Of the loanwords tested, 80.56% of students incorrectly identified one or more of the words to be from an English-speaking country. This supported the hypothesis that students may not be able to discern the origin of Japanese loanwords.
The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the effect of topical discussion classes on students' se... more The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the effect of topical discussion classes on students' sense of civic duty. A five-class lesson plan was designed to engage students in current political topics including population issues, economics, constitutional amendments, energy resources, and the various political parties in Japan. Group, pair, and whole-class discussions were utilized both to increase student-talk time and encourage whole-class discussions. Teachers interested in using this lesson plan are advised to remain impartial throughout the whole-class discussions in order to avoid inadvertently biasing the discussions, due to their authoritative role in the classroom. Since recent research has shown that young voter turnout in Japan is low, it was decided at the onset of this course to give th e students a survey which baselined their opinion on the importance of young people voting. The same survey was given at the culmination of the course. Based on this exit survey, it was concluded that topical discussions in class did appear to foster a more favorable appraisal of the importance of young people voting in Japan. This paper also covers ethical concerns involved in discussing highly politicized topics in a university classroom setting.
Uploads
Papers
university students at Nihon Universityʼs School of Pharmacy. Subjects were given a vocabulary test containing five questions; one with descriptions of the English words only, and the other with descriptions and the katakana counterparts. Our aim was to test whether students given the katakana would assume it to be English. Compared to the control group (mean score=1.551 out of 5), the group with access to the katakana counterparts scored significantly lower (mean score=0.738). An unpaired t-test of the results was conducted, and the result showed a significant difference between the two groups (p = 0.0018). A follow up survey was conducted of 144 students from Tokyo University of Science and Nihon Universityʼs School of Pharmacy to see if students could identify the origin of common non-English loanwords. Of the
loanwords tested, 80.56% of students incorrectly identified one or more of the words to be from an English-speaking country. This supported the hypothesis that students may not be able to discern the origin of Japanese loanwords.
university students at Nihon Universityʼs School of Pharmacy. Subjects were given a vocabulary test containing five questions; one with descriptions of the English words only, and the other with descriptions and the katakana counterparts. Our aim was to test whether students given the katakana would assume it to be English. Compared to the control group (mean score=1.551 out of 5), the group with access to the katakana counterparts scored significantly lower (mean score=0.738). An unpaired t-test of the results was conducted, and the result showed a significant difference between the two groups (p = 0.0018). A follow up survey was conducted of 144 students from Tokyo University of Science and Nihon Universityʼs School of Pharmacy to see if students could identify the origin of common non-English loanwords. Of the
loanwords tested, 80.56% of students incorrectly identified one or more of the words to be from an English-speaking country. This supported the hypothesis that students may not be able to discern the origin of Japanese loanwords.