About this seminar
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- In this seminar, students are exploring ways in which linguistic theory and knowledge can be applied to actual situations.
- The focus is mainly on second language learning and teaching,
although students interested in other applications (e.g., translation,
natural language processing, lexicography) or in aspects of linguistic theory may apply to this seminar IF
there is no other appropriate seminar available.
- The seminar is conducted in English, but it is open to students interested in applications to ANY language.
That is, it is not only for students who want to teach English, but
also those who would like to teach Japanese, Korean or another language
as a foreign language. The theories and methods discussed in
class are applicable to a wide range of teaching situations.
- It is expected that students in this seminar will already have taken some classes in linguistics or applied linguistics. This is especially true for students who want to join the seminar from the Spring term. If you haven't taken any classes in linguistics or applied linguistics, it may be difficult for you to finish a thesis on time to graduate in March.
- In order to more deeply understand the ideas we are discussing in class, it would be very useful for you to have some actual work experience related to your interests. If you have never worked (either as a volunteer or in a paid position) as a language teacher/tutor or translator, you are strongly urged to do some kind of work as you attend this seminar. Some suggestions are given below. NOTE: For the volunteer positions as Waseda, you need to apply BEFORE the start of the semester in which you want to work.
Some possibilities for getting practical experience
- If you are interested in teaching Japanese as a foreign or
second language, and your native language is Japanese, you can become a
volunteer tutor for Japanese classes at Waseda classes. Check the homepage of the Center for Japanese Language to find out how to become a volunteer for the fall term classes.
- If you are interested in teaching English and/or your native language other than Japanese, you could work as a private tutor.
- If you are interested in translation from Japanese to English, volunteer to help translate the Waseda Weekly . You can find the contact e-mail address at the bottom of their web page.
If you have another idea for a way to get practical experience, and/or
if you need help in make arrangements, please contact me by e-mail as
soon as possible.
Possible Thesis Topics
Here are just some of the thesis topics of current and past students in this seminar.
- attempts to revive the Ainu language
- attitudes toward the use of Taiwanese dialect in the media in Taiwan
- attitudes toward the use of Shanghai dialect in Shanghai
- Computer-mediated communication and English education
- English education in elementary schools in Japan and other Asian countries
- Japanese language education for linguistic minority (e.g. Brazilian-Japanese) children in Japan
- Japanese language education for refugees
- metaphors and thought in Japanese and English
- some problems of foreign students learning Japanese as a second language
- student motivation and Japanese language study at Waseda
- teachers' views of English education in Japanese junior high and high schools
- the portrayal of English in Japanese junior high school textbooks (is English portrayed as a lingua franca? Or as a language used only by native speakers?)
- the usefulness of linguistic knowledge of phonetics in study of a foreign langauge
- university students' foreign language vocabulary learning strategies
Career opportunities
- Many of the graduates of this seminar are going to work directly after graduation, in banks, trading companies. software companies, and so on. Some, however, will be going on the graduate study in linguistics, applied linguistics, or anthropology.
- The topic of this seminar makes it especially relevant for people who plan on a career in teaching a language, especially English or Japanese, either as a second language or a foreign language.