Overcoming Language Barriers in COIL with Japan:

Focusing on the LearnersKANSAI UNIVERSITY

OSAKA, JAPAN

There are a number of ways of assessing student online participation,

Measuring number of words used,

How often questions are asked or answered,

The level of the content of contributions.

Generally, focusing on textual content.

Emoji = More Diverse

176 Emoji in 1999

Now over 1000

Scores more each year

Is it having a negative effect on

language use?

Communication has two major functions.

Ideational: to share knowledge, the transfer of specific meaning.

Interpersonal: to influence other people, the transfer of emotional and social cues.

Importance of Visual Cues in Communication

Emotional Signifiers in Japanese Manga

SNS Use in Japan

WhatsApp 10 millionFacebook 25 millionTwitter 35 millionLINE 78 million

Facebook Messenger Chats

WhatsApp Chats

LINE Chats

LINE (Japan) Sticker Sample

WeChat (China) Sticker Sample

Facebook (USA) Sticker Sample

Users Choose Sets to Convey Personality

Cute characterFashion-focused

Hip-hop themed

High-School Imagery

‘Academic Cat’ for University Students

LINE Conversation A

LINE Conversation A

LINE Conversation B

LINE Conversation B

A typical Direct Message conversation

The equivalent LINE conversation

Is one less valid than the other?

Consider...

Which would you rather

get?

What you want to say:

What you can say: Sorry for late. Yesterday cannot open mail.

Sorry for the delay. I wanted to send these

last night but I couldn't access my mail.

What you want to say:

What you can say:

By using graphics:

Sorry for late. Yesterday cannot open mail.

Sorry for the delay. I wanted to send these

last night but I couldn't access my mail.

Sorry for late. Yesterday cannot open mail.

Researchers at Tokyo Denki University

(Japan) found the less abstract the emoticon,

the more our brain responds to it.

;)

;)

;)

LINE's more dynamic graphics supposedly produce a stronger emotional impact.

But their variety of styles,while allowing greater individuality,

can have a downside...

Misunderstandingis possible,

if notinevitable.

Misunderstandings have cultural elements

Researchers found that,

American users prefer clear meanings with no room for misinterpretation

(Big smiles, frequent captions)

In contrast, Japanese users like a variety of more subjective, vague images

("What's the point of a half-smile?")

Researchers found we greatly overestimate our ability to understand emotional context of text messages.

If emoji are available, vast majority make use of them.

Doing so improves our understanding of emotional tone of messages by more than 100 percent.

Graphics are changing rapidly:

Selfie-moji Animated Stamps

Culturally unique imagery is also used

For Muslim usersLINE developed images for Ramadan.

The key impact of graphics in online communication is twofold:

a) Greater emotional exchange

b) Greater participation by weak L2 students

It also has some other benefits:

c) clarifying meaning (j/k)

d) greater expression of individuality

e) illustrating cultural differences

Practical COIL ApplicationSynchronous interaction is difficult to arrange,

And usually irregular.

Often asynchronous interaction must suffice,

But this need not be devoid of a visual element.

For Non-Native StudentsBuilding confidence to communicate in L2,

can take time.

Social exchanges aided by visual elements,

Offer a significant boost to willingness to engage.

Research Focused Courses

Non-Native students majoring in non-Language/Culture fields,

(such as science, medicine, law, etc.),

Frequently have less developed L2 skills.

Courses focused on exchange of content-based data,

Can benefit from having a parallel informal line of communication.

References:

Shaojung Sharon Wang, ‘More Than Words? The Effectof Line Character Sticker Use on Intimacy in the Mobile Communication Environment’, Social Science Computer Review, 1-23, 2015.

Willard Van De Bogart and Saovapa Wichadee, ‘Exploring Students’ Intention to Use LINE for Academic Purposes Based on Technology Acceptance Model’, International Review of Research in Open and Distributed Learning, Vol 16, No 3, June 2015.

Petra Kralj Novak , Jasmina Smailović, Borut Sluban, Igor Mozetič, ‘Sentiment of Emojis’, PLOS One, 7 December, 2015.

Krisela Rivera, Nancy J. Cooke, and Jeff A. Bauhs, ‘The Effects Of Emotional Icons On Remote Communication’, Computer and Human Interaction Conference, 1996.

Luke Stark1 and Kate Crawford, ‘The Conservatism of Emoji: Work, Affect, and Communication’, Social Media + Society, July-December 2015.

https://www.proprofs.com/quiz-school/story.php?title=mtuwnja1nascjr

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