Language learning experience in motivation to learn Japanese in an English-medium instruction context with PERMA model

Dr Naoko Kojima, Visiting Scholar, Ritsumeikan University, Kyoto
Coach House, School of Education, 5-9 Hillary Place - Thursday 18^th April 2024, 12:30-2:30pm (Refreshments provided)

English-medium instruction (EMI) is a global trend, and a reason for implementing EMI in Japanese universities is to attract more international students and promote diversity on campuses. Thus, EMI programs rarely require Japanese proficiency at enrollment, assuming international students will be motivated to learn Japanese while studying abroad (SA). However, few empirical studies have been conducted to find out whether they sustain this motivation through SA. This study explores this issue by focusing on the emotional and motivational impact of the learning experience, applying the PERMA model (i.e., Positive emotion, Engagement, Positive relationship, Meaning, Accomplishment) from positive psychology as a theoretical framework. Qualitative data were collected from written reports and semi-structured interviews with ten learners of Japanese in an EMI program in Japan. I will report here my preliminary analysis of data from five of the learners, discuss the applicability of the PERMA model to explore motivation, and consider some tentative implications for pedagogy in this type of EMI program.

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