Faculty MembersFaculty Members

Sociopragmatics/ Intercultural Communication/ Academic Writing (English)

My current research focuses on four main areas: sociopragmatics (the relationship between language and society), intercultural communication education (how best to teach and research communication between cultures), study abroad (effective ways to facilitate education abroad) and academic writing development.

Discourse Analysis (Identity Construction)/ Pragmatics/ Sociolinguistics

I examine how Japanese and English speakers use language in creative ways in their everyday lives to show politeness, build relationships, and construct their own and others' identities. I also consider ways in which learners of Japanese as a second language can improve their pragmatic competence (the ability to speak in a culturally appropriate way that seems natural to others).

Intercultural Competence/ English Language Education/ Global Issues Awareness

In recent years, communication with people from around the world has increased and intercultural understanding has become more and more important. For this reason, my research focuses on developing intercultural competence development and global issues awareness at universities.

Foreign language education (methodology, curriculum innovation)/ Intercultural communication (factors influencing learners' capacity to speak)/ Business communication (international marketing, intercultural negotiation)

Our faculty has an interesting "dual language" study abroad programme where our English majors study in non-English speaking countries such as Taiwan, South Korea, Germany and France. I'm researching changes in students' capacity to speak in English and their additional language while overseas.

Vocabulary Acquisition

I research how students aquire vocabulary knowledge and am especially interested in how extensive reading develops vocabulary and language fluency.

Applied Linguistics (L2 Learning Strategies／EFL for Young Learners)

Communication in Second Language Classrooms/ Assessment of Englsh Speaking Proficiency/ Second Language Teacher Professional Development

My research interest lies in communication in second language classrooms. Second language teachers put much effort into devising teaching materials, learning/teaching methods, and evaluation methods to create a better environment for second language learners. The effort they put in is manifested in the quality of communication in their classrooms. My research aims to deepen our understanding of communication that enables learners to learn a second language.

English Poetry (especially, Middle English Alliterative Poetry)/ Metrics/Medieval Literature

My research interests are English poetry, metrics, and Medieval Literature. I am particularly interested in the Middle English alliterative poetry and their metrical forms. I am currently investigating the nature of their mere and the relationship between the alliterative poetry and the rhymed iambic poetry in the 14th century.

Language Analysis/ Semantics (Philosophy of Language)

Working primarily in philosophy of language and semantics, such issues as the meanings of ESSE, mereological part and whole, and also individuality, truth, mind, relation, and existence.

Linguistics/ Translation Studies

Language reflects the way people categorise and understand the world around them. I examine English and Japanese expressions used in translation to see similarities and differences between the way the two languages construe similar states of affairs.

Narrative Theory/ Literary Translations

Through translations, we can read stories in different languages by different ethnic groups from different cultures. By bringing stories from abroad into Japanese society, we can enrich our culture and make it more diversified. For that purpose, I believe that translating stories into Japanese is an activity essential to all language learners.

Applied linguistics/ Second language acquisition/ English language eduction

My primary research interest is second language acquisition and, in particular, cross-linguistic influence. I am interested in the ways in which a learner's native tongue can be harnessed to bring about grammatical learning gains in a second language through explicit instruction, especially awareness-raising practices delivered via digital mediums.

Intercultural Communication

We may speak another language but unless we understand the cultural contexts, and the unspoken part, we may miss what is most important. Communication and culture are inseparable. Today, when we are in contact with people across the globe, understanding the cultural assumptions, expectations and behavior (including our own) is crucial. Learning how to learn about this is what we will explore together.

TESOL/ International Education (Higher Education)/ Identity

When undertaking international education in English-speaking countries, what kind of institutional norms and academic conventions students are required to conform to? I'm researching into the ways in which international students negotiate such normative practices and how their practices are intertwined with their identities.

International Cooperation/ Program Evaluation/ International Development

I am exploring how international cooperation and development activities can be evaluated, and should be evaluated, using the method of program evaluation. In this field, it is crucial to determine the criteria for evaluating the outcomes of these activities, and how to do so.

Corpus Linguistics/ Language Testing and Assessment/ Vocabulary Learning and Teaching

My current research interests include vocabulary learning and teaching, language testing and assessment, and corpus use for educational purposes. I am also interested in research methodology, in particular quantitative data analysis using statistics.

Intercultural Communication Studies/ Cross-cultural　Communication Studies

In recent years, opportunities to communicate with people from different cultural backgrounds have been rapidly increasing. "Intercultural Communication" which I majored in is a study to clarify various sorts of problems arising from communication among different cultural bodies and to pursue the causes and solutions of these problems.

English Language Teaching and Learning/ Second Language Acquisition

Classroom interaction, including corrective feedback, has great potential to facilitate second language acquisition. I am interested in exploring effective teaching and learning methods and techniques to facilitate students' English language learning.

Applied Linguistics (Metaphor/Vocabulary Acquisition)/ Academic Writing

My primary research interest is second language vocabulary acquisition, and in particular the learning and teaching of metaphorical or abstract words and expressions. In this area, I investigate ways to make vocabulary learning more efficient, memorable, and enjoyable through input and output practice based in cognitive linguistics principles.

Translation Studies/ Translation Technologies/ Sociology of Translation

My research concerns the influence of translation technologies (such as machine translation) on translators' workflow and their professional motivation and status. The ultimate purpose of my research is to propose an optimum form of human-machine symbiosis in the technologized translation work environment.

Applied Linguistics/ Second Language Acquisition/ TESOL

My research interests encompass the roles of explicit instruction in language learning, second language writing, and task-based language teaching. Her recent research project aims at developing testing and teaching materials for second language pragmatic knowledge.

Applied Lingusitics (Interpreting and Translation Studies)/ Sociolinguistics

Some say that human interpreters will no longer be needed in the future due to the development of AI technology. In order to investigate this idea, I am conducting interviews with business interpreters, users of business interpreters, and salesclerks who deal with foreign tourists to explore what interpreting actually is.

Applied Linguistics (L2 Learning Strategy, L2 Motivation, Self-regulated Learning)/ English Language Teaching (Teaching Methodology, Materials Development)/ Educational Technology (Use of Digital Media and AI in L2 Learning and Teaching)

What methods do successful foreign language learners use to learn a foreign language? Do they lose their motivation in the process? Do you have to study abroad to learn a foreign language, or does digital media make it easier to learn a foreign language? These are some of the questions that I enjoy exploring.

Intercultural communication/ Communication studies/ Rhetoric

As a critical/cultural scholar of communication, I am interested in the possibilities of speaking across culture. Also, I am interested in scholarly investigations of debate and public speaking education. I am looking forward to discussing these topics with you soon!

Practical English Teaching Methodology

I am researching learning methods that enable students to acquire the four skills, and through my classes, I provide students with training that enables them to simultaneously acquire the ability to pass university entrance examinations and to communicate in English. I also analyze the students' achievement levels and make improvements to my teaching methods.

Applied Linguistics/ Psycholinguistics/ Second Language Acquisition

I use experimental methods to study what is happening in the mind when people acquire or process a second language. I am particularly interested in the acquisition and processing of morphosyntactic structures and am investigating the causes and difficulties associated with these processes.

English Language Education (speaking, listening)/ Applied Linguistics (English)

I am interested in the assessment and teaching of speaking and listening skills in foreign languages. I investigate factors relevant to speech assessment, such as teachers' beliefs and experiences about pronuncaition instruction and speakers' use of gestures. I also explore methods for teaching comprehensible pronunciation.

English Language Education/ English Language Teaching/ Individual Learner Factors

My research interest lies primarily in the area of the relationship between language learner factors (motivation, anxiety, aptitude, attitude, etc.) and language learning. Most of my research focus on how to elicit the positive aspects of learner factors and lead to more effective language learning.

Area Studies in Language and Culture (UK & USA)/ Medieval English Language and Literature/ Medieval European Manuscripts

I am conducting research on 13th- and 14th-century multilingual manuscripts from the British Isles written in Latin, Middle English, Old French and the Celtic vernaculars, with special reference to their historical context.

English Language Teaching/ Applied Linguistics

My research interests include language testing and computer-assisted language learning. I am also interested in research metholodogy.

English Language Education (pronunciation teaching and learning)/ Applied Linguistics

His research interests include teaching and learning English pronunciation, development of system for teaching prosody.

History of Chinese Language

My topic for research is a diachronic analysis of colloquial Chinese. In recent years I have researched and presented papers on the primary historical resources of colloquial Chinese held in the archives of Dunhuang, Hangzhou, Beijing, Tianjin, etc. I have also conducted a diachronic study of colloquial expressions appearing in the textbooks of Chinese conversation that were used between the Koryo Dynasty and the Joseon Dynasty in Korea.

Theoretical Linguistics (Chinese)/ Linguistics of Chinese/Chinese language pedagogy

I focus on modern Chinese grammar, and study the formation mechanism of the unique syntax and phenomena in Chinese. Especially devoted to the analysis of the attributes and grammatical structures of vocabulary. Moreover, I also dabbled in Chinese teaching method, theoretical comparison with other languages and other fields.

Applied Linguistics (Second Language Acquisition)/ Teaching Chinese or Japanese as a Foreign Language/ Phonetics

Have you ever wondered why pronunciation is so hard to get right? I aim to solve such problems by conducting research on the acquisition of Chinese and Japanese phonetics and phonology, as well as contrastive research from the perspective of second language acquisition theory.

Chinese　Linguistics　

Contrastive Analysis of Chinese and other languages

Chinese linguistics/ East-West language contact/ Cultural interaction

I study how modern Orientals and Westerners came into contact with and learned Chinese. Due to the difference of their mother tongue and geographical relationship, their learning of Chinese is different, I try to consider the essence of Chinese through the eyes of foreigners.

Instructional design for Chinese Language teaching/ Inclusive design for language teaching/ Third language learning

I am contemplating how to make classes for learning Chinese more engaging. Recently, I have also been researching multilingual landscapes, hoping for Japan to become a society more accommodating to multiple languages. The theme of my seminar is linguistic landscape, information accessibility, and language rights.

Korean Linguistics/ Lexical semantics

I am interested in lexical semantics. And I search an effective vocabulary teaching method for a Korean learner. Furthermore, I am engaged in the concentrated study for modern Korean books and materials of the 17th century..

Korean Linguistics/ Discriptive Linguistics (Verbal Morphology)

My research interest is to describe the grammar in East Asian languages such as Korean, Mongolian, and Manchu, especially the forms related to verbs. In recent years, I have been particularly interested in those grammatical changes as well.

Japansese Cultural Studies/ Theatre and Performance Studies/ Gender and Sexuality Studies

My main research interests are modern and contemporary Japanese theatre/performance and visual arts from the perspectives of gender/sexuality studies.

Japanese Pedagogy/ Japanese Language Education in the Community/ Japanese Language Education for Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Children

I research the following two themes.(1)Designing a support system for Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Children in the Community.(2) Construction of a reference frame for multilingual language proficiency for Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Children.

Japanese Pedagogy/ Discourse Analysis (Narrative)

My specialties are Japanese language education for foreigners and teacher education. I have been working on an analysis of interviews and narratives of Japanese language teachers, student-teachers and learners. Based on the findings of my research, I aim to create better educational practices and curriculums for teacher education.

Japanese Pedagogy/ Japanese Linguistics (Modern Japanese Grammar)

My recent research is on grammatical problems observed in Japanese of advanced learners. I　also have been studying modality of Japanese based on investigations using corpuses and questionnaires.

Modern German Literature/ German Culture

My research interests are in modern German literature and German culture in a European context, with a particular emphasis on the relationship of narrative and ethnological phenomena, how cultural issues such as customs, religious practices, alimentary habits are described and represented in literary works.

Sociolinguistics/ Language Policy/ German linguistics

My research area is Sociolinguistics (multilingualism and plurilingualism in Europe from a language policy perspective). I am doing research on the ongoing paradigm shift in language policy and foreign language education due to digitalization.

French Language Teaching (Grammar Teaching)/ Practices in French Language Teaching

I specialize in the Grammar Teaching of the French tense system. I believe that it is important to apply linguistic knowledge to language teaching, for example, in the analysis of errors, and the analysis and elaboration of teaching materials.

French cultural studies/ French literature

I mainly research the following three themes:
1. French cultural studies (from the 19th century to the present day);
2. Use of colours in art, specifically in the 19th century French poetry;
3. Education using group work (French language and cultural studies).

Russian Literature

My academic interest lies in the study of 19th century Russian literature, especially the works by Chekhov. In education I have been trying to integrate my research findings into Russian language education in order to make my classes more interesting to the students.

Russian Language Education/ Area Studies (Central Asia)/ Sociolinguistics

I am exploring the language situations in the former Soviet region, with a specific focus on Kyrgyzstan. I am particularly interested in the phenomenon of code-switching between Russian and Kyrgyz languages.

Teaching Spanish as a Foreign Language/ Spanish Cultural Studies

I try to guide students towards positive, independent Spanish language learning through problem-solving tasks. I also reseach Living in Spain, mainly food culture and tourism.

Spanish Language Literature

My research objective is to study the process by which avant-garde literature comes into and takes root in Spanish-speaking countries. I am particularly interested in the contact point of Latin-American literature and Spanish literature in the beginning of the twentieth century.