Title: Manga-based Approaches in EFL: For Young Adult Learners in Japan
Stream: Education / Pedagogy
Presentation Type: Oral Presentation
Authors:
Takako Yasuta, Fukushima Medical University, Japan
Abstract:
This study illustrates the benefits of Manga, or Japanese comics, as learning material in the college-level EFL. Manga has been widely employed in language classrooms; however, its entertainment aspects have been considered not appropriate for academic English. In fact, the multimodality aspects of Manga can be successfully utilized for teaching both colloquial English and academic writing. The author will introduce her Manga-based activities designed for college-level EFL courses in Japan and how they assisted language learners in terms of enhancing learning motivation, developing advanced linguistic knowledge focusing on writing skills, and sociolinguistic appropriateness in various registers. Typical Japanese students experience exam-oriented English education with few opportunities to use English in daily life. After spending nearly 10 years learning English, most Japanese people cannot communicate in English. Manga-based activities create a virtual English world where students can speak English through their Manga characters. The narrative texts in Manga can provide an excellent and enjoyable academic writing experience. The author has conducted her approaches at two universities in Japan with computer science majors and humanity majors. Those students with different degrees of learning motivations and English proficiency exhibited positive effects of Manga. Manga-based activities increased learning motivation and provided a more enjoyable learning experience. The author will introduce her major findings and shows how Manga can be successfully used for teaching young adults in higher education. Manga-based activities assisted language learners in terms of enhancing learning motivation, developing advanced linguistic knowledge focusing on writing skills, and sociolinguistic appropriateness in various registers.
Conference Comments & Feedback
Place a comment using your LinkedIn profileShare this Presentation
Comments
Powered by WP LinkPress