| ID | 117500 |
| Title Proper | What keeps them going? investigating ongoing learners of Japanese in Australian universities |
| Language | ENG |
| Author | Northwood, Barbara ; Thomson, Chihiro Kinoshita |
| Publication | 2012. |
| Summary / Abstract (Note) | What keeps learners of Japanese going in formal study? In Australia, few continue to an advanced level of the language, despite large numbers of learners. This study found that compared to discontinuers, continuers showed much higher levels of motivation and integrative orientation, and their attitudes towards learning were much more positive. They showed greater autonomous learning, and engaged in more self-initiated activities outside the classroom. In interviews, advanced learners explained the paths that enabled them to continue, yet indicated that university policies affect continuation through timetable and study program restrictions. The predominant reason to continue was the hope to travel to Japan, but an interest in Japanese culture and in Japanese popular culture (J-pop) products (e.g., anime, manga) also was prominent. The enjoyment of J-pop was implicated at least partially in both retention and attrition in Japanese. It provides the motivation to learn Japanese, and in a cyclical fashion, the learning of Japanese itself is consumed so as to further consume J-pop. It may also be the case that once appetites for language consumption are satisfied, some learners could abandon formal study of Japanese at a relatively early stage. |
| `In' analytical Note | Japanese Studies Vol. 32, No.3; Dec 2012: p.335-355 |
| Journal Source | Japanese Studies Vol. 32, No.3; Dec 2012: p.335-355 |
| Key Words | Japan ; Australia ; Australian Universities ; Japanese Popular Culture ; University Policies |