This qualitative study, conducted in Hokkaido, Japan, concerns the investigation of the teacher cognition and practice of English as a Foreign Language (EFL) assessment and the impact of a professional development (PD) program on the participants. The PD program was carried out as a series of seven in-service workshops with five native speakers of…

Study abroad programs offer students an exciting and effective way to experience language and culture. It also helps students grow individually. However, administrators need to confirm the program's goals and objectives. This study examined the construct validity and reliability of a survey, which is the basis of development, conducted in a…

Despite progress in recent years, Japanese classrooms continue to present challenges for educators seeking to promote language learner autonomy. Adopting an action research/case study design, the present study explored how, in a 5-week student-led project, an intact group of learners could contribute to the development of their own autonomy. Data…

Secondary English education in Japan, despite widespread policy reform, has been identified as a context in which problems with learner motivation are commonplace and persistent. Numerous quantitative studies have highlighted student dissatisfaction with a range of pedagogical factors including a disproportionate focus on rote memorization for…

Formulaic language, such as lexical phrases as hot as hell or pass the buck, in English is common in daily usage. Although formulaic language is common, the lexical phrases are often excluded from word lists. Second language learners of English need to use formulaic language to enhance their proficiency level. Beyond incorporating lexical phrases…

This paper presents a midterm review of a 4-year factor analysis project aimed at validating an outcome-based assessment of study-abroad programs attended by Japanese students. This paper outlines how the results from the initial two years captured changes in perceptions and reasons for studying abroad. It found that students have become…

The use of digital technology to provide learning materials and activities to students (e-learning) in EFL is rapidly expanding and there are many resources that show teachers how to use digital devices and software tools to do this. There are, however, relatively few research studies that describe and evaluate how an individual teacher has…

This paper presents results of the first year of a four-year longitudinal study examining motivation for independent language learning among Japanese freshman learners of English at a university in Japan. The participants were enrolled in optional independent learning modules offered by the university's self-access centre. The aim of the modules…