Motivation to Learn Multiple Languages in Japan

Chika Takahashi

Description

Unique longitudinal study following learners for nine years focusing on an under-researched aspect of L2 motivation

This book provides rare insights into motivation among extremely successful learners of English and languages other than English (LOTEs) through the analysis of a longitudinal study and the examination of the factors involved in becoming multilingual in a non-multilingual environment. Based on sixteen interview sessions, conducted over the course of nine years while the learners progressed from high school to the world of work, this book offers the story of how two learners persist in English/LOTE learning. The study illuminates the long-term processes through which the interviewees develop ideal English/LOTE selves in an environment where multilingualism is not emphasized and where both English and LOTEs can still be described as foreign languages. Educators and researchers will learn from this study, which stretches our understanding of motivation beyond the recent theorizing of L2 motivation and contributes to the limited research in long-term motivational trajectories and LOTE learning motivation, which is particularly scarce in non-European contexts. The book will be of interest not only to readers in Japan but also to those in other contexts as it offers an example of successful learners who go beyond the pragmatic and instrumentalist view of language learning to hold a more holistic view, thus revealing the factors which can sustain multiple language learning, even in foreign language contexts.

Tables and Figures

Acknowledgments

Abbreviations

Part 1: Contextualizing the Study

Chapter 1. Introduction         

Chapter 2. Theoretical Background

Chapter 3. Growing Body of LOTE Motivation Research

Chapter 4. English and LOTE Education in Japan

Part 2: The Empirical Study

Chapter 5. The Study

Chapter 6. The Early Days: English Self-Instruction Using Radio Materials in High School

Chapter 7. Broadening the Horizons: (Re-)Starting LOTE Learning at University         

Chapter 8. Pursuing Multilingualism or Not? Language and Academic Studies

Chapter 9. What Does Language Mean to the Interviewees, in the End? Language Learning beyond Formal Education

Part 3: Concluding Thoughts 

Chapter 10. Reflecting on the Method: Advantages and Challenges of Longitudinal Case Studies Utilizing Interviews

Chapter 11. Conclusion

Afterword

Appendices

References

Index

Sujets

• Disciplines
• Language Arts
• Sociologie, société et politique
• motivation
• Linguistics
• Language Acquisition: A Journal of Developmental Linguistics
• Languages Other Than English
• Professional
• Personality
• Psycholinguistics
• Postgraduate education
• Language acquisition
• Japan
• Research
• Postgraduate

Informations

• Publié par: Channel View Publications
• Date de parution: 22 novembre 2022
• Nombre de lectures: 0
• EAN13: 9781800414853
• Langue: English

Extrait

Motivation to Learn Multiple Languages in Japan
PSYCHOLOGY OF LANGUAGE LEARNING AND TEACHING
Series Editors : Sarah Mercer , Universität Graz, Austria and Stephen Ryan , Waseda University, Japan
This international, interdisciplinary book series explores the exciting, emerging field of Psychology of Language Learning and Teaching. It is a series that aims to bring together works which address a diverse range of psychological constructs from a multitude of empirical and theoretical perspectives, but always with a clear focus on their applications within the domain of language learning and teaching. The field is one that integrates various areas of research that have been traditionally discussed as distinct entities, such as motivation, identity, beliefs, strategies and self-regulation, and it also explores other less familiar concepts for a language education audience, such as emotions, the self and positive psychology approaches. In theoretical terms, the new field represents a dynamic interface between psychology and foreign language education and books in the series draw on work from diverse branches of psychology, while remaining determinedly focused on their pedagogic value. In methodological terms, sociocultural and complexity perspectives have drawn attention to the relationships between individuals and their social worlds, leading to a field now marked by methodological pluralism. In view of this, books encompassing quantitative, qualitative and mixed methods studies are all welcomed.
All books in this series are externally peer-reviewed.
Full details of all the books in this series and of all our other publications can be found on http://www.multilingual-matters.com , or by writing to Multilingual Matters, St Nicholas House, 31-34 High Street, Bristol, BS1 2AW, UK.
PSYCHOLOGY OF LANGUAGE LEARNING AND TEACHING: 19
Motivation to Learn Multiple Languages in Japan
A Longitudinal Perspective
Chika Takahashi
MULTILINGUAL MATTERS
Bristol • Jackson
DOI https://doi.org/10.21832/TAKAHA4839
Library of Congress Cataloging in Publication Data
A catalog record for this book is available from the Library of Congress.
Names: Takahashi, Chika, author.
Title: Motivation to Learn Multiple Languages in Japan: A Longitudinal Perspective/Chika Takahashi.
Description: Jackson: Multilingual Matters, 2022. | Series: Psychology of Language Learning and Teaching: 19 | Includes bibliographical references and index. | Summary: “This longitudinal study of motivation in extremely successful learners of English and languages other than English provides unique insights into long-term language learning motivation. It reveals the various factors that sustain multiple language learning and stretches our understanding of motivation beyond the recent theorizing of L2 motivation”—Provided by publisher.
Identifiers: LCCN 2022033936 (print) | LCCN 2022033937 (ebook) | ISBN 9781800414839 (hardback) | ISBN 9781800414846 (pdf) | ISBN 9781800414853 (epub) Subjects: LCSH: Linguistic informants—Japan. | Language and languages—Study and teaching—Japan. | Second language acquisition—Japan. | Multilingual education—Japan.
Classification: LCC P128.I53 T35 2022 (print) | LCC P128.I53 (ebook) | DDC 418.0071/052—dc23/eng/20220901
LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2022033936
LC ebook record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2022033937
British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data
A catalogue entry for this book is available from the British Library.
ISBN-13: 978-1-80041-483-9 (hbk)
Multilingual Matters
UK: St Nicholas House, 31-34 High Street, Bristol, BS1 2AW, UK.
USA: Ingram, Jackson, TN, USA.
Website: www.multilingual-matters.com
Twitter: Multi_Ling_Mat
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/multilingualmatters
Blog: www.channelviewpublications.wordpress.com
Copyright © 2023 Chika Takahashi.
All rights reserved. No part of this work may be reproduced in any form or by any means without permission in writing from the publisher.
The policy of Multilingual Matters/Channel View Publications is to use papers that are natural, renewable and recyclable products, made from wood grown in sustainable forests. In the manufacturing process of our books, and to further support our policy, preference is given to printers that have FSC and PEFC Chain of Custody certification. The FSC and/or PEFC logos will appear on those books where full certification has been granted to the printer concerned.
Typeset by Deanta Global Publishing Services, Chennai, India.
Printed and bound in the UK by the CPI Books Group Ltd.
Contents
Tables and Figures
Acknowledgments
Abbreviations
Part 1: Contextualizing the Study
1 Introduction
What Is This Volume About?
What Is New About This Volume?
Organization of the Volume
L2 Self-Instruction Using Broadcast Materials in Japan and My Involvement in It
Conclusion
2 Theoretical Background
The L2 Motivational Self System
Intrinsic Motivation in Self-Determination Theory
Advantages and Limitations of the Frameworks
The Issue of Persistence in L2 Learning
Summary
3 Growing Body of LOTE Motivation Research
Different Meanings of ‘LOTE Learning’
Early Studies of LOTE Motivation in the Socioeducational Model
Increase in English Motivation Studies and the Dearth of LOTE Motivation Research
Recent Increase in Studies on LOTE Motivations and Their Characteristics
Limited Number of Qualitative Studies Examining Trajectories of LOTE Motivations
Employing the L2 Motivational Self System as the Theoretical Framework
Comparisons of English and LOTE Motivations and the Influence of English on LOTE Motivation
Few Reports on Successful Learners
Paucity of Studies Examining Learners’ Motivations to Study Multiple LOTEs
Geographical Imbalance in Past Studies on LOTE Motivation
Paucity of LOTE Motivation Studies from Japan
LOTE Motivation Studies in Japan Written in Japanese
Summary
4 English and LOTE Education in Japan
Call for English Education Reforms
Various English Education Reforms
Characteristics of English Education Reforms
Dual Orientations among the Japanese
(Perceived) English Competence among the Japanese
Actual Need for English
History of LOTE Education at the Tertiary Level in Japan
Recent Situations Surrounding LOTE Education in Japan
Summary
Part 2: The Empirical Study
5 The Study
My Encounter with the Interviewees
A Brief History of the Interviewees’ Earlier Language Learning
Interviews
Procedures
Data Analysis
Choosing the Method of Longitudinal Case Study
6 The Early Days: English Self-Instruction Using Radio Materials in High School
Two Sets of Interviews in High School as a Starting Point
L2 Self-Instruction Using Radio Materials and the Issue of Persistence in Learning
The Study
Yuzuru as a Very Intensive Learner
Non-Persistence in L2 Self-Instruction and Motivational Changes after Half a Year
Yuzuru’s Seeds of a Multilingual Learner
Shion as the Most Persistent Learner among the 13 Students
L2 Motivational Bases That Sustained Shion’s Persistence in Studies with SIR Materials
Comparing the Interviewees during This Study Phase
Looking Back, Looking Ahead
7 Broadening the Horizons: (Re-)Starting LOTE Learning at University
The Study
Yuzuru’s Studies of English and Multiple LOTEs
Yuzuru’s Rich Life Experiences and the Development of the Ideal English and LOTE Selves
Shion’s Studies of English and LOTE
Shion’s Search for a Future Career and Changing Ideal English Selves
Comparing the Interviewees during This Study Phase
Looking Back, Looking Ahead
8 Pursuing Multilingualism or Not? Language and Academic Studies
The Study
Yuzuru’s Further Development of the Ideal English and LOTE Selves
Yuzuru’s Non-Experience of Psychological Conflicts between Languages
Shion’s Intense Academic Studies and the Emphasis on Reading in English
Shion’s English Learning Motivations
Shion’s Ambivalent Attitudes toward LOTE Learning
Comparing the Interviewees during This Study Phase
Looking Back, Looking Ahead
9 What Does Language Mean to the Interviewees, in the End? Language Learning beyond Formal Education
The Study
Yuzuru’s Further Academic and Language Studies
Yuzuru’s Changes in Career Plans and the Nonetheless Stable Multilingual Attitude
Factors That Explain Yuzuru’s Further Development of the Ideal Multilingual Self
The Meanings of Language and Language Learning to Yuzuru
Shion’s Further Academic and Language Studies
Shion’s Career Choice and Language Use
Decreasing Role as a Student for Shion and Its Influence on Motivation
The Meanings of Language and Language Learning to Shion
Comparing the Interviewees during This Study Phase
Looking Back, Looking Ahead
Part 3: Concluding Thoughts
10 Reflecting on the Method: Advantages and Challenges of Longitudinal Case Studies Utilizing Interviews
The Interviewees’ Experiences of Being Interviewed
Advantages of Longitudinal Case Studies Utilizing Interviews
Challenges of Longitudinal Case Studies Utilizing Interviews
Reciprocal Impacts between an Interviewer and Interviewees
Some Final Thoughts
11 Conclusion
Yuzuru and Shion throughout the Nine Years
Insights for Further Theorizing Language Learning Motivation
Directions for Future Research
Some Pedagogical Implications
Looking Back, Looking Ahead
Afterword
Appendices
Appendix A: Interview Prompts at First Interview in High School
Appendix B: Interview Prompts at Second Interview in High School
Appendix C: Interview Prompts in University and Graduate School
Appendix D: Interview Prompts in Professional Work (to Shion)
Appendix E: Interview Prompts Only Asked at Last Interview
References
Index
Tables and Figures
Tables 4.1 Summary of English education reforms and related events 4.2 Changes in LOTE education in Japan 5.1 Characteristics of the interviewees 5.2 Timeline of the study 6.1 The interviewees’ basic acc