Technology-Supported Learning In and Out of the Japanese Language Classroom

This book addresses several pressing concerns of teachers and researchers who are looking for ways to integrate technology use in and out of their classrooms and assess its usefulness in the learning process. It provides an up-to-date examination of technology-supported pedagogy and language acquisition in a variety of Japanese as a foreign or second language contexts. It equips readers with practical pedagogical information, including methods of implementation and learning assessment, and ideas for how technology can be applied to achieve a wide range of learning objectives. The topics examined include cultural learning, identity construction, speaking, reading, writing, pronunciation, collaborative online learning, digital and 3D virtual reality games, online text analysis, and participation in online communities. In addition, different e-learning configurations such as flipped, online, and distance learning classrooms are explored. Studies examine various current technologies (e.g. blogs, synchronous/asynchronous telecollaboration, corpus analysis software, modern pronunciation tools) and will have both direct and indirect consequences for teaching and learning a second/foreign language with technology across all languages.

Zimmerman and McMeekin have given the Japanese as a Foreign Language (JFL) field a huge boost forward with this significant volume on integrating technology with teaching. JFL teachers will surely find new ways to help their students in this impressive collection of innovative projects., Technology has drastically changed the nature of language use, learning and teaching, and yet many educators continue to ponder how best to change familiar instructional methods. This edited volume introduces a range of tools, materials, and activities adopted in and out of the classroom and carefully evaluates their impact on language learning. As such it offers opportunities for researchers and educators of Japanese and other languages to reflect on their current practices and to consider ways forward., In addition to the focus on structural aspects of Japanese learning, this volume is rich in studies taking communicative, integrative, and ecological approaches to CALL. The analysis of learning outcomes, innovative pedagogy, and a range of theoretical underpinnings, along with an outstandingly thorough introduction, make this volume a must-read for CALL researchers and educators far beyond those working in JSL/JFL.

Erica Zimmerman is an Associate Professor of Japanese in the Languages and Cultures Department at the United States Naval Academy. She has published in the areas of the acquisition of Japanese as a second/foreign language, language pedagogy, computer-assisted language learning, conversation analysis, intercultural communication and identity in talk.Abigail McMeekin is an Associate Professor of Japanese and Japanese Program Head in the Department of Modern Languages at the University of Lethbridge, Canada. Her published research focuses on Japanese pedagogy and second language acquisition, study abroad, computer-assisted language learning, conversation analysis and intercultural communication.