A Structural Model of Situational Constructs Accounting for Willingness to Communicate at a Japanese University

2016 ◽  
pp. 267-287
Author(s):  
Graham George Robson
Keyword(s):  
Structural Model ◽  
Willingness To Communicate ◽  
Japanese University

Situated willingness to communicate in an L2: Interplay of individual characteristics and context

2016 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 115-137 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tomoko Yashima ◽  
Peter D. MacIntyre ◽  
Maiko Ikeda
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Language ◽  
Individual Performance ◽  
Individual Characteristics ◽  
Willingness To Communicate ◽  
Contextual Influences ◽  
Classroom Context ◽  
Research Attention ◽  
Japanese University ◽  
Quantitative Studies ◽  
Response Feedback

Recently, situated willingness to communicate (WTC) has received increasing research attention in addition to traditional quantitative studies of trait-like WTC. This article is an addition to the former but unique in two ways. First, it investigates both trait and state WTC in a classroom context and explores ways to combine the two to reach a fuller understanding of why second language (L2) learners choose (or avoid) communication at given moments. Second, it investigates the communication behavior of individuals and of the group they constitute as nested systems, with the group as context for individual performance. An interventional study was conducted in a class for English as a foreign language (EFL) with 21 students in a Japanese university. During discussion sessions in English over a semester in which Initiation–Response–Feedback (IRF) patterns were avoided to encourage students to initiate communication, qualitative data based on observations, student self-reflections, and interviews and scale-based data on trait anxiety and WTC were collected. The analyses, which focused on three selected participants, revealed how differences in the frequency of self-initiated turns emerged through the interplay of enduring characteristics, including personality and proficiency, and contextual influences such as other students’ reactions and group-level talk–silence patterns.

scholarly journals Promoting international posture through history as content and language integrated learning (CLIL) in the Japanese context

2015 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 87-108 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas Lockley
Keyword(s):  
Critical Thinking ◽  
Conceptual Framework ◽  
Willingness To Communicate ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Integrated Learning ◽  
Qualitative Investigation ◽  
Japanese University ◽  
International History ◽  
International Posture ◽  
Japanese Learners

This article uses the conceptual framework of second language willingness to communicate (L2 WTC), and in particular the contributory construct of international posture (IP; Yashima, 2002), to report on a content and language integrated learning (CLIL) course taught in the Japanese university context. The research follows up an exploratory, small-scale study with a focused qualitative investigation. Due to space restrictions the current paper reports only on the key qualitative findings and attempts to build a picture of how the theme of the course, Japanese international history, affected learners’ IP, a construct that has been shown to be key to Japanese learners of English’s L2 WTC (Yashima, 2002). It is shown that after completing the course, learners felt more connected to the wider world, and as a result IP developed in varied and meaningful ways, seemingly increasing L2 WTC and stimulating critical thinking facilities both within and without the classroom.

scholarly journals The influence of networks of general trust on willingness to communicate in English for Japanese people

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Takehiko Ito
Keyword(s):  
Network Analysis ◽  
University Students ◽  
Intervention Studies ◽  
Willingness To Communicate ◽  
Japanese People ◽  
Social Survey ◽  
Japanese University ◽  
General Trust ◽  
Several Variables ◽  
Negative Effect

AbstractThis study investigates the effect of a network of general trust on the willingness to communicate in English among Japanese people. Previous studies have shown that general trust positively affects the willingness to communicate in English for Japanese people. However, the network structure of general trust and its effects have not yet been revealed. The present study conducted a network analysis with 761 Japanese university students and 601 Japanese social survey participants, for 1362 participants total. Four variables regarding general trust positively affected the willingness to communicate in English for all participants, whereas one variable had a negative effect if each network was estimated for only university students or social survey participants. Centrality indices, such as node strength, closeness, and expected influence, revealed the centrality of several variables in the network of all participants. Bootstrapping methods showed the trustworthiness of the estimated edges and centrality indices. Contrary to the regression analysis, the network analysis can help us understand the profound effect of general trust on the willingness to communicate in a second language, which will prove useful for intervention studies.

scholarly journals The Influence of Socio-Ecological Networks on Willingness to Communicate in English for Japanese People

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Takehiko Ito
Keyword(s):  
Network Analysis ◽  
Network Structure ◽  
Partial Correlation ◽  
Ecological Networks ◽  
Willingness To Communicate ◽  
Japanese People ◽  
Depth Effect ◽  
Japanese University ◽  
Relationship Partners ◽  
Negative Effect

This study investigates the effect of socio-ecological networks on the willingness to communicate (WTC) in English among Japanese people. Previous studies have shown that relational mobility (socio-ecological factor), which is defined as the availability of opportunities to choose new relationship partners, positively affects the WTC in English for Japanese people. However, the network structure of the variables of relational mobility and its effects have not been revealed yet. The present study conducted network analysis with 474 Japanese university students and found the two clusters that correspond to the dimensions of relational mobility in the partial correlation network. Three variables regarding opportunities to meet new people and leave current relationships positively affected the WTC in English; one had a negative effect. Centrality indices, such as nodes strength, betweenness, and closeness, revealed the centrality of several variables in the network. Bootstrapping methods showed the trustworthiness of the estimated network structure and centrality indices as well as edges and variables whose effects differed significantly from that of others. Contrary to the regression analysis results, the network analysis findings can help us understand the in-depth effect of relational mobility on the WTC in a second language, which will prove useful for intervention studies.

Attitudes, affect and ideal L2 self as predictors of willingness to communicate

2013 ◽  
Vol 13 ◽  
pp. 176-198 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yoko Munezane
Keyword(s):  
Structural Equation ◽  
Equation Model ◽  
Willingness To Communicate ◽  
Global English ◽  
Japanese University ◽  
Self Confidence ◽  
L2 Motivational Self System ◽  
Structural Relationships ◽  
Ideal L2 Self ◽  
The Ideal

The purpose of this study is to examine the structural relationships among variables that affect Willingness to Communicate (WTC) and frequency of communication in the L2 in Japanese university EFL classrooms: anxiety, motivation, integrativeness, international posture, ought-to L2 self, ideal L2 self (idealized L2 speaking self), L2 linguistic self-confidence, and valuing of global English. This purpose includes investigating Dörnyei’s (2005) hypothesis that the interplay of linguistic self-confidence and the ideal L2 self positively influence L2 WTC. A sample of 373 Japanese university students participated in the study. Questionnaires were administered at the beginning of the semester and a hypothesized structural equation model based on the WTC model (MacIntyre 1994), the socioeducational model (Gardner 1985), and the concept of the L2 Motivational Self System (Dörnyei 2005), was tested. The structural relationships yielded new perspectives on learners’ WTC, particularly the finding that the ideal L2 self was a significant predictor of L2 WTC. Pedagogical implications of the research findings are discussed.

Assessing Willingness to Communicate for Academically, Culturally, and Linguistically Different Language Learners

2018 ◽  
pp. 57-85 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark R. Freiermuth ◽  
Hsin-chou Huang
Keyword(s):  
University Students ◽  
Language Learners ◽  
Small Groups ◽  
English Language ◽  
Willingness To Communicate ◽  
Cultural Backgrounds ◽  
Language Abilities ◽  
Japanese University ◽  
Academic Interests ◽  
Group Student

Synchronous electronic communication has provided opportunities for language learners in different locales to have meaningful dialogue with one another and highlighted the importance of English even in the context of EFL settings. In this chapter, the authors designed an intercultural electronic chat task to see if students from different cultural backgrounds, with different English language abilities, with different L1s, and who have different academic interests would be willing to communicate using English. Sixteen Taiwanese university students, who were marine science majors (lower proficiency group), chatted electronically in small groups with 27 Japanese university students, who had been studying English for two years (higher proficiency group). Student commentary to a broad-based questionnaire revealed that all participants were willing to communicate in English and did so. Even the lower proficiency group found the task meaningful, pointing out that chat gave them the opportunity to participate fully in the discussion, learn from their peers, and gain confidence, all of which motivated them.

Structure-property relations of liquid crystalline polymers

1987 ◽  
Vol 45 ◽  
pp. 460-463
Author(s):  
Linda C. Sawyer
Keyword(s):  
Solid State ◽  
Liquid Crystalline ◽  
Structural Model ◽  
Crystalline Polymer ◽  
Liquid Crystalline Polymers ◽  
Mechanical Anisotropy ◽  
Structure Property ◽  
Preparation Methods ◽  
Crystalline Polymers ◽  
Extended Chain

Recent liquid crystalline polymer (LCP) research has sought to define structure-property relationships of these complex new materials. The two major types of LCPs, thermotropic and lyotropic LCPs, both exhibit effects of process history on the microstructure frozen into the solid state. The high mechanical anisotropy of the molecules favors formation of complex structures. Microscopy has been used to develop an understanding of these microstructures and to describe them in a fundamental structural model. Preparation methods used include microtomy, etching, fracture and sonication for study by optical and electron microscopy techniques, which have been described for polymers. The model accounts for the macrostructures and microstructures observed in highly oriented fibers and films.Rod-like liquid crystalline polymers produce oriented materials because they have extended chain structures in the solid state. These polymers have found application as high modulus fibers and films with unique properties due to the formation of ordered solutions (lyotropic) or melts (thermotropic) which transform easily into highly oriented, extended chain structures in the solid state.

The Hierarchic Order of Intermediate Filament Structure and Assembly

1985 ◽  
Vol 43 ◽  
pp. 722-725
Author(s):  
U. Aebi ◽  
E.C. Glavaris ◽  
R. Eichner
Keyword(s):  
Tissue Specificity ◽  
Structural Model ◽  
Eukaryotic Cells ◽  
Cdna Sequencing ◽  
Filament Structure ◽  
Keratin Filaments ◽  
Isoelectric Points ◽  
Immunological Crossreactivity

Five different classes of intermediate-sized filaments (IFs) have been identified in differentiated eukaryotic cells: vimentin in mesenchymal cells, desmin in muscle cells, neurofilaments in nerve cells, glial filaments in glial cells and keratin filaments in epithelial cells. Despite their tissue specificity, all IFs share several common attributes, including immunological crossreactivity, similar morphology (e.g. about 10 nm diameter - hence ‘10-nm filaments’) and the ability to reassemble in vitro from denatured subunits into filaments virtually indistinguishable from those observed in vivo. Further more, despite their proteinchemical heterogeneity (their MWs range from 40 kDa to 200 kDa and their isoelectric points from about 5 to 8), protein and cDNA sequencing of several IF polypeptides (for refs, see 1,2) have provided the framework for a common structural model of all IF subunits.

An HREM study of superstructures in Ca4Al6SO16

1990 ◽  
Vol 48 (4) ◽  
pp. 1066-1067
Author(s):  
Y.G. Wang ◽  
H.Q. Ye ◽  
K.H. Kuo
Keyword(s):  
Calcium Aluminate ◽  
Structural Model ◽  
Bright Spot ◽  
Sulphur Atom ◽  
Synthetic Compound ◽  
Space Group ◽  
Lattice Images ◽  
Cubic Structure ◽  
Good Agreement

A synthetic compound Ca4Al6SO16 (usually abbreviated as C4A3S) obtained by mixing CaO, A12O3 and CaSO4 powders and finally sintered at 1380°C is a cement with excellent hydraulicity and greatly expanding in application. It is hydralysed rapidly by water to form predominatly calcium aluminate hydrates and therefore unlikly to occur naturally, although structurally it may be regarded as an end member of the sodalite-hauynite series of naturally occuring minerals. C4A3S has a cubic structure with ao=9.19Å and space group . Fig.1 is the projection viewed down axis, in which there are two sets of 8C position in , namely CaI and CaII, occupied by the calcium atoms, respectively, and the ratio of occupations in these two sets of positions is about 3:1. This suggests that the calcium atoms can freely occupy these sites in various degrees and usually they almost locates on the CaI positions. A through-focus series of the lattice images were found in good agreement with the simulated ones. Each bright spot in the image taken at Scherzer defocus correspounds to a colunm of sulphur atom in the structural model (Fig.1).

A Structural Model for a Quasi-Crystalline Material Derived from TEM

1990 ◽  
Vol 48 (1) ◽  
pp. 48-49
Author(s):  
Jan-Olov Bovin ◽  
Osamu Terasaki ◽  
Jan-Olle Malm ◽  
Sven Lidin ◽  
Sten Andersson
Keyword(s):  
High Resolution ◽  
Electron Diffraction ◽  
Structural Model ◽  
Image Intensifier ◽  
Crystalline Materials ◽  
Icosahedral Phases ◽  
Transmission Electron ◽  
Electron Microscopes ◽  
Diffraction Patterns ◽  
Quasi Crystals

High resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) is playing an important role in identifying the new icosahedral phases. The selected area diffraction patterns of quasi crystals, recorded with an aperture of the radius of many thousands of Ångströms, consist of dense arrays of well defined sharp spots with five fold dilatation symmetry which makes the interpretation of the diffraction process and the resulting images different from those invoked for usual crystals. The atomic structure of the quasi crystals is not established even if several models are proposed. The correct structure model must of course explain the electron diffraction patterns with 5-, 3- and 2-fold symmetry for the phases but it is also important that the HRTEM images of the alloys match the computer simulated images from the model. We have studied quasi crystals of the alloy Al65Cu20Fe15. The electron microscopes used to obtain high resolution electro micrographs and electron diffraction patterns (EDP) were a (S)TEM JEM-2000FX equipped with EDS and PEELS showing a structural resolution of 2.7 Å and a IVEM JEM-4000EX with a UHP40 high resolution pole piece operated at 400 kV and with a structural resolution of 1.6 Å. This microscope is used with a Gatan 622 TV system with an image intensifier, coupled to a YAG screen. It was found that the crystals of the quasi crystalline materials here investigated were more sensitive to beam damage using 400 kV as electron accelerating voltage than when using 200 kV. Low dose techniques were therefore applied to avoid damage of the structure.

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