Atsushi Mizumoto

Examining the Effectiveness of Explicit Instruction of Vocabulary Learning Strategies with Japanese EFL University Students.

This study examined the effectiveness of explicit instruction of vocabulary learning strategies (VLSs) over a 10-week semester with a group of 146 female EFL learners from two Japanese universities. A vocabulary test and questionnaires on VLSs and motivation were administered at the beginning of the course. The learners were divided into two groups based on the vocabulary test results: an experimental group and a control group. Only the experimental group received explicit instruction on VLSs in combination with their regular language lessons. The same instruments were re-administered at the end of the course to examine the changes in both the questionnaire responses and test scores. Qualitative analyses were also conducted to explore the findings in detail. The results show that the experimental group outperformed the control group in the vocabulary test. It was also found that (1) strategy training was effective for both changing the repertoire of strategies used and improving their frequency of use, (2) the training increased the use of certain strategies more than it did for other strategies, and (3) different types of learners exhibited different responses to the strategy instruction. This study’s findings contribute to a better understanding of strategy instruction in general and VLSs in particular.

Reading aloud activity in L2 and cerebral activation

This article explores the cerebral mechanism of reading aloud activities in L2 learners. These activities have been widely used in L2 learning and teaching, and its effect has been reported in various Asian L2 learning contexts. However, the reasons for its effectiveness have not been examined. In order to fill in this gap, two studies using a brain-imaging technique, near-infrared spectroscopy, were conducted in order to determine a cerebral basis for the effectiveness of reading aloud activities. Study 1 investigated learners with high L2 proficiency to show the difference in cerebral activation between L2 and L1 learners as they read a passage aloud. The effect of material difficulty was also examined in this study. Study 2 then examined learners with both high and low L2 proficiency to show the effect of material difficulty vis-à-vis the learners’ L2 proficiency. The effect of repeated reading aloud activities was also investigated in this study. These studies show that: Reading aloud in L2 results in a higher degree of cerebral activation than reading aloud in L1. Reading material beyond learners’ L2 ability aloud results in low brain activation. Repetition of the same normal reading aloud activity in L2 does not necessarily increase (or decrease) the level of cerebral activation. However, including a repetitive cognitively demanding reading aloud activity does cause high brain activation. On the basis of these findings, this article provides a cerebral basis for the effectiveness of reading aloud activities in L2 learning.

Development of a Scale to Measure Learners' Perceived Preferences and Benefits of Data-Driven Learning.

In spite of researchers’ and practitioners’ increasing attention to data-driven learning (DDL) and increasing numbers of DDL studies, a multi-item scale to measure learners’ attitude toward DDL has not been developed thus far. In the present study, we developed and validated a psychometric scale to measure learners’ perceived preferences and benefits of DDL for research and pedagogical purposes. First, we created an item pool by referring to open-ended responses from learners; second, the items were pilot tested with target-level learners of English as a foreign language; and third, with item analyses and exploratory factor analysis, the revised version of the questionnaire was prepared. Finally, the questionnaire was administered, and its psychometric properties were examined with confirmatory factor analysis and fit indices. The final phase also included a measure of task values to explore the convergent evidence of the construct validity of the proposed scale. The results suggest that the scale is a valid measure of learners’ attitudes toward DDL, with the hypothesized model providing a good fit with the data. We propose that the scale can be used in future studies that utilize the same type of questionnaire research to facilitate further investigation of DDL. Suggestions for further research are also provided.

Effects of self-regulated vocabulary learning process on self-efficacy

Researchers, especially in the field of educational psychology, have argued that self-efficacy plays an important role in self-regulated learning. As such, teaching of self-regulated learning often focuses on enhancing self-efficacy. However, few studies have examined how the process of self-regulated learning might lead to the enhancement of self-efficacy. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the effects of the self-regulated vocabulary learning process on self-efficacy. A total of 303 learners of English as a Foreign Language from two universities participated in the study. They completed a questionnaire measuring the process of self-regulated learning (i.e. forethought, performance or volitional control, and self-reflection). They also completed a vocabulary test as a measure of learning outcome. Correlation analysis was employed to evaluate the relationships between various variables investigated in the study. The results showed that self-regulated learning process can boost self-efficacy and increase vocabulary knowledge. The pedagogical implications of the current study are discussed mainly in terms of incorporating instructions aimed at enhancing self-efficacy and self-regulation in vocabulary teaching.