For our April event, we are excited to have a presentation by Mr. Henry Foster and Saitama JALT's own Program Chair, Miori Shimada. Please find the full abstract for the presentation below:
Exploring Learner Psychology through Narrative Inquiry
This presentation and workshop will introduce a double case study conducted as part of a doctoral degree program this year by the presenters. The two participants were asked to write language learning histories and then were interviewed in semi-structured interviews which were transcribed and analyzed in an attempt to explore certain aspects of their L2 learner psychology.
Specifically, the presenters looked at the influence on the participants’ language learning experiences of individual difference factors such as fluctuations in motivation and possible selves over time, anxiety, and the influence of key persons and study abroad experiences.
The researchers will describe the process by which data was collected and analyzed and discuss the results, as well as the challenges and rewards involved in working with self-reported narrative data. Ideas and tips for collecting such data will be introduced, such as elicitation prompts for language learning histories, drawing motivational timelines, and a language-learning anxiety questionnaire. Attendees will be given the opportunity to try these instruments out for themselves, as well as to share other ideas or experiences they have in working with narrative inquiry.
As always, we will be joining the presenters for some drinks and refreshments at a local establishment afterwards, so please feel free to join us if you have time after the event!