The program “Training of researchers of language education studies contributing to a multilingual society” is based on TUFS’s philosophy and aim, i.e., “to promote mutual understanding among a multilingual and multicultural global society and contribute to peaceful coexistence and symbiosis in the world, through education and research of linguistics, culture and area studies of the various regions of the world including Japan.”
The priority at present to respond promptly to our nation’s shift toward a multilingual society expected in the future is not individual linguistic education theories for a specific language. Rather, what is really needed is a body of research on “language education studies” from a global viewpoint based on research achievements such as linguistic acquisition theory found common among diverse linguistic and cultural circumstances. Thus, it is crucial to foster researchers who can practice and lead such research in this field.
Based on the necessity for nurturing such researchers of language education studies, the program aims at the following. First, educational activities concerning language education studies shall be structured and enhanced. At the same time, education and research guidance for graduate students majoring various languages unique to TUFS (about 50 languages taught including 26 majors) and graduate students involved in The 21st Century COE Program “Usage-Based Linguistic Informatics”, shall focus on “language education studies” field and perspective and be further systematized and activated. Through such research and educational activities, the program aims to train “researchers for language education studies” who, based on excellent linguistic ability and cross-cultural understandings cultivated at TUFS, will able to conduct in the future pioneering and unique research contributing to peaceful coexistence and symbiosis in the multilingual and multicultural society.
Promoting advanced research from the perspective of “language education studies” whose basis are achievements of empirical and practical research, providing the knowledge acquired as feedback to research and education of individual languages, and fostering experts who can contribute to further development of a multilingual society are the practices of TUFS’s philosophy, “to contribute to peaceful coexistence and symbiosis of global society.” These realizations are considered extremely important for Japan’s linguistic policy as well.
(For 2006 academic year)
In 2006 academic year, realization of substantial education for graduate students will be further activated through planning, research development and research groups of the program, with “Language Education Studies Program Office” established in 2005 academic year as part of the Graduate School organization as a base.
Following the evaluation of achievements in 2005 such as discussions with international partner institutions, preliminary surveys and dispatch of students for preliminary surveys, based on the achievement of these activities, we will work toward improvement of new courses opened in 2006 (Field research in Language Education Studies, Field work in Language Education Studies, Independent research in Language Education Studies) and realization of the plan for independent activities such as workshops and trainings performed abroad to be counted as credits. Moreover, activities including “language education studies lectures” and “research groups” will be developed aiming to enhance and systematize the education for graduate students involved in linguistic education. As part of presentation of the above achievements, “Language Education Studies Symposium” will be held. We will eventually make evaluations on these activities, and utilize the feedback for future planning.
Through these activities, the traditional language education studies specialized in individual languages will be organically integrated and upgraded to “language education studies” based on achievements in linguistic acquirement research found common among various languages, and advanced research necessary for this educational program will be practiced. Furthermore, the program aims at, based on the achievements, contribution to the development of education for various languages and respective language education studies, and eventually to a multilingual society.