Corpus-Based Education Research in the Context of Teaching English as a Foreign Language in Japan
Prof. Yukio Tono
Tokyo University of Foreign Studies
Presented at PANEL F: CORPUS-BASED EDUCATIONAL RESEARCH IN ASIA, in the 2nd International Education Conference (Redesigning Pedagogy: Culture, Knowledge and Understanding), 28-30 May 2007, National Institute of Education, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore.
Abstract:
There is an increasing interest in using corpora for English language teaching in Japan. In this presentation, I will first introduce two broad areas of corpus applications: (i) indirect use of corpora and (ii) direct use of corpora, and present major works in each area: (a) dictionaries, (b) educational wordlists, (c) grammar and usage books, and (d) conversation textbooks. Here I will especially focus on my experience of producing the world-first corpus-based TV English conversation program for NHK (Nihon Hoso Kyokai: Japan Broadcasting Center).
In the second half of my presentation, I would like to introduce the use of two types of specialized corpora: (a) learner corpora, and (b) English for Specific Purpose (ESP) corpora. Learner corpora have been used to investigate the acquisition process of English by Japanese learners and empirical findings have revealed some very interesting characteristics of Japanese EFL learners’ interlanguage development. ESP corpora are also very promising areas of research especially for developing materials for specialised fields such as medicine or science and technology. I will elaborate some of the projects I have been involved in and possible implications for exploiting ESP corpora for education. Finally, I would like to discuss how corpora can change the perspectives of language teachers as they teach language to students.
PPT is available at Laohong's corpus stuff folder.
Prof. Yukio Tono
Tokyo University of Foreign Studies
Presented at PANEL F: CORPUS-BASED EDUCATIONAL RESEARCH IN ASIA, in the 2nd International Education Conference (Redesigning Pedagogy: Culture, Knowledge and Understanding), 28-30 May 2007, National Institute of Education, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore.
Abstract:
There is an increasing interest in using corpora for English language teaching in Japan. In this presentation, I will first introduce two broad areas of corpus applications: (i) indirect use of corpora and (ii) direct use of corpora, and present major works in each area: (a) dictionaries, (b) educational wordlists, (c) grammar and usage books, and (d) conversation textbooks. Here I will especially focus on my experience of producing the world-first corpus-based TV English conversation program for NHK (Nihon Hoso Kyokai: Japan Broadcasting Center).
In the second half of my presentation, I would like to introduce the use of two types of specialized corpora: (a) learner corpora, and (b) English for Specific Purpose (ESP) corpora. Learner corpora have been used to investigate the acquisition process of English by Japanese learners and empirical findings have revealed some very interesting characteristics of Japanese EFL learners’ interlanguage development. ESP corpora are also very promising areas of research especially for developing materials for specialised fields such as medicine or science and technology. I will elaborate some of the projects I have been involved in and possible implications for exploiting ESP corpora for education. Finally, I would like to discuss how corpora can change the perspectives of language teachers as they teach language to students.
PPT is available at Laohong's corpus stuff folder.
