Keio Research Institute at SFC

* This laboratory has been completed.

Background

Language education in Japan, English language education in particular, is in a critical situation. Whether it is reading, writing or speaking, conventional teaching methods only focus on grammar, pronunciation and vocabulary. There is an urgent need to redefine actual communication and develop a learning method and materials that fully utilize the latest technologies.
This project investigates the understanding/misunderstanding mechanism in communications from the viewpoints of recognition theory, behavior theory and media theory and establishes a communication theory model incorporating communication dynamism that changes along with society. This project designs methodologies, develops software and an aims to create an online language education system.

Features

This project is based on English programs that are headed by research members (Action, Communication & English) at SFC, having actual classes on language and communication theories. This project incorporates actual language communications between students who are well accustomed to the SFC network environment. The foundation of this project is built on the past 10 years of results gained from student class evaluations.

Research plan

Plans include further pursuit and publication of dynamic language communication theories, production of a multimedia database and support materials in English, video-on-demand processing of classes and lectures done in English, development of “outgoing” type test and evaluation methods, and implementation of joint-classes with education organizations in foreign countries. communication. “English for Universities that Sends Out Messages” (awarded the University English Education Association Prize) and other materials and textbooks have also been published. Classes and research made jointly with universities in the United States are proceeding well. This year, theories and classes will be put online.
Research members are engaged not only in the production and publication of research documents, textbooks, software, but also in design and counseling work of language education systems in the course. We have many advisors including people in such educational institutes as universities, training institutes, middle schools, high schools, publishers, and test development organizations including TOEFL and TOEIC. We continue to strive to change the study of languages from the study of grammar and conversation into the study of communications. We actively seek both private and official organizations interested in language education that would like to participate in this project.

Researchers, managers and professors