2014/11/01

PART 1: Acquisition of Basic Vocabulary Using Two Different Methods of Instructions: Core Schema-Based vs. Translation-Based

Speaker: Masanobu Sato

It was a long time in the works, but finally Gunma JALT was able to host Mr. Masanobu Sato on November 1st. And he lived up to the billing. Mr. Sato, as a graduate student at Keio University, showed us how he explored the thought pattern and learning done by Japanese learners of English. Using simple vocabulary items such as look, see and watch, he explained how complex it was for students to learn the contextual meaning of these three words. As these perception verbs caused great concern among his students, he compared the effectiveness of core schema-based instruction (SBI) and translation-based instruction (TBI) in helping teach the meaning of the respective meanings. A set of three questionnaires were devised in order to examine learner ability to choose the right verb in context. Sato concluded that overall, the results show that SBI is as effective as TBI in the short run and more effective than TBI in the long run. The results showed that the SBI taught students retained high scores even after two weeks after the instruction session, while the TBI group’s performance leveled off. Mr. Sato ably fielded an array of questions which looked into the level of the vocabulary usage and the varying usage of the three perception verbs. Gunma JALT members were also treated to a nice display of visuals to help develop schema with students.

Masanobu Sato has been teaching English for more than 8 years, and currently teaches at the university level in Tokyo and Saitama. He is now enrolled in the graduate program (Media & Governance) at Keio University, writing his doctoral dissertation on L2 lexical development in Japan. His main research interests are the application of cognitive linguistics to SLA, the development of effective exercises, and minority issues in the age of globalization.

PART 2: Annual General Meeting (AGM)

For a wrap up of issues discussed at the AGM, please see our Chapter Report for 2014.