Japanese Student’s Personal Requirements for Interaction in English With Foreign Students, Examined by Free Description

Conference: The Asian Conference on Psychology & the Behavioral Sciences (ACP2022)
Title: Japanese Student’s Personal Requirements for Interaction in English With Foreign Students, Examined by Free Description
Stream: Linguistics/Language & Psychology/Behavioral Science
Presentation Type: Virtual Presentation
Authors:
Carlos M. Arbaiza Meza, Okayama University, Japan
WenXin Guan, Okayama University, Japan

Abstract:

This research’s goal is to determine what factors (such as motivation, interest, language ability or context) lead Japanese university students to interact in English with Foreign university students. The study targeted 128 Japanese undergraduate university students, executing a survey as research method to gather data about their preferences, experiences, and expectations towards interaction with international students in English. Further, specific questions aimed to collect information about the ideal non-classroom interaction situation. The collected data, mainly categorized by Content Analysis method (内容分析), synthesizing the requirements in five main categories: Individuality (1 on 1 interaction), External Physical approach, Motivation, and interest (to interact), ‘Adequate’ place and time and ‘Adequate’ Language Ability. Interpretation of the data allowed us to say that the students’ requirements and beliefs sometimes work as limitations or barriers for interaction. It was also apparent that the respondents tend to wait external initiative to engage in an interaction and might wait for a particular context or situation until they participate in one. Another factor is the self-perception of their language ability, fearing possible communication issue or improper use of the language. Sometimes such judgment does not correspond with the actual language competence of the students. Emotional factors like motivation, interest, self-perception, and confidence, appear to affect their willingness to communicate, even if their language ability is adequate. In addition, the findings not only allowed us to pinpoint these preferences, but also let us provide some facts and suggestions for a smoother interaction in English.

Virtual Presentation

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