Dr. Matthew Apple (Ritsumeikan University), Dr. Keita Kikuchi (Kanagawa University)

Validating the Positive L2 Self System: Focus on “Plus” and not “Minus”

Dr. Matthew Apple (Ritsumeikan University)

Until recently, educational research in Japan, particularly that of second language acquisition (SLA) research, has tended to focus on the negative aspects of the learning experience, including investigation into such topics as demotivation—the decrease or lack of motivation—and anxiety, especially the social anxiety felt in classroom situations that led ultimately to poor educational outcomes. In contrast to this traditional “deficit orientation” of educational research in Japan, emerging overseas research based on elements of positive psychology has uncovered the connection between global well-being and positive beliefs, or self-efficacy, about one’s abilities. This presentation will describe the results of a Rasch validation study of an adapted version of the Positive L2 Self System, the first step of a larger and longer study we hope will help us uncover ways in which aspects of positive psychology such as hope, self-efficacy, and foreign language enjoyment can assist Japanese EFL students regain and retain their language confidence.

Matthew T. Apple (MFA, M.Ed., EdD) is a professor at Ritsumeikan University. He has taught at all levels of education in Japan for over 25 years. His research interests include language learning motivation and identity.

Links: Matthew Apple at researchmap.jp: https://researchmap.jp/read0122557

ResearchGate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Matthew-Apple-2

Non-cognitive skills to be researched: Insights gained from Educational Psychology Dr. Keita Kikuchi (Kanagawa University)

While many language learners in Japan are told to “gambaru” or “gamansuru” in their long journey of language learning, few language scholars have studied about non-cognitive skills often emphasized in most sectors in English education in Japan, especially those needed for test preparation. This presentation introduces several key non-cognitive skills such as conscientiousness, grit, and resilience researched in the Educational Psychology field in Japan. Then, I discuss how they can be studied in second or foreign language learning. Finally, I would like to encourage a group discussion regarding how teachers can use the insights gained from Educational Psychology within the audience’s own teaching contexts.

Keita Kikuchi is a Professor at Kanagawa University, Japan. He holds an Ed.D. in TESOL from Temple University, Japan, and an MA in ESL from the University of Hawai’i at Manoa. His research interests include curriculum development and second language acquisition, especially individual differences.

Links: 菊地恵太 at researchmap.jp: https://researchmap.jp/read0209964p